Klarich gearing for home title tilt
SPEEDWAY: The challenge is huge but Toowoomba’s Ray Klarich and his team will be working overtime in search of their best home-town form at next week’s V8 Dirt Modified Australian Championship.
Klarich will be joined by Australia’s elite dirt modified competitors for the 2019 national titles on Friday and Saturday night at Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway.
The event is one of two Australian championships to feature at the meetings with the AMCA national title also to be decided.
Klarich has featured heavily at national level during his 28 years of racing without claiming an elusive title win but he welcomes the chance at yet another shot when the event returns to Toowoomba for the first time in about 20 years.
“I’ve held every position at the championship except number one,” Klarich said.
“I’ve been close a few times but that’s the way it goes.
“I’m winding down a bit myself now, but I have a great team led by our crew chief Sam Brown who is only 20 years of age, and we’re working at having a competitive car ready for next week.
“It’s a great event at what is now a great track and facilities and the quality of drivers will be as good as you can get.”
Klarich had feature success last season at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway but has reverted to a car “rebuild” in a bid to find his best for the new year.
“At the start of our season in October-November we tried a few changes, but we went backwards,” Klarich said.
“We went back to scratch in reworking the car and in two runs since we’ve had some improvements.
“We are looking to continue building on that when we line up at next Thursday night’s practise session.
“There is going to be six or seven multiple Australian champions including the reigning champion Kevin Britten here next week and they’ll all be looking for that edge that can help them claim the title.”