High octane action at Kalkee
Horsham Motorsports Club will present Australian Title for Modified Production Sedan racing at Kalkee’s Blue Ribbon Raceway during the Easter weekend.
More than 55 teams have entered this prestigeous event – the second Australian title presented to the club, with the only other in the 1997-98 season with a Limited Sportsman Australian Title.
The event reflects a great show of persistence and perseverance from club volunteers.
Club president Mick Fitzpatrick said winning the championship happened because of hard-working officials and volunteers.
“It’s all because of the volunteers. The ones who turn up to working bees and volunteer on race nights,” he said.
“Hosting the title at Horsham is a real feather in their cap.”
With 31 Victorians, 14 Queenslanders, six from NSW, four from Western Australia, two from Tasmania and a lone representative from the ACT, and the involvement of Geelong’s Octane Alley Performance as title sponsor and all other sponsors and supporters, the event is sure to be a spectacle for all.
Queensland driver Matty Smith, who holds the Australian title, will make the trip to try to retain the number one on his car. But the strong field, including Tasmania One Brad Herbert and SA One Aden Raymond, will make it hard for the champion. Fifteen of the entrants have had state title success and 33 have won feature races.
Former national champions Raymont, Worling, Smith, Blackwell and Drew will find the going tough with the likes of former Production series champions Noakes and Atkins and Street Stock past champion Robbie Faux eager to showcase their talents with former junior sedan champions Brock Atkins and Nick Cockerill.
Horsham natives will feature with Daniel Simpson looking the best chance with top showings over VMPA series rounds.
“I’m just trying to treat it like a regular race meeting and from a club perspective it will be a great boost for the club,” Simpson said.
“I’ve competed in three titles previously and would love to win in front of my home crowd and sponsors who have stuck with us through thick and thin over the years.”
Michael Hayden, who has grown up on the clay of Blue Ribbon Raceway, said winning an Australian title on his home track would be ‘a pretty big deal’.
“It will be a challenge, and with all the great cars and drivers coming, my chance of winning first time out will be like winning Powerball,” he said.
The father-son team of Graham and Matt Gerlach will add to the interest of the fans to see who will have bragging rights for the year.
Festivities for the Octane Alley Performance SSA inc Modified Production Australian Title will start on Good Friday, with scrutineering and practice following on Saturday.
Saturday will feature 12-lap heats with support classes and Sunday will involve 12-lap heats followed by C, B and A mains and support races.
Support classes include three-litre sedans, after their recent Victorian title with drivers wanting to put on a good show for what should be a full house of spectators, and the entertaining racing of the JSPA junior series.
It is great to watch the junior drivers who, when dressed in race gear look like helmets with legs.
Easter at Blue Ribbon will be the highlight of the racing calender.
Full catering will be available and facilities are accessible to fans with mobility challenges in what should be a great spectacle.