KNOXVILLE Nationals winner Tim Shaffer barely had time to pack before he made a last-minute flight to Australia this month.
The Pennsylvanian sprintcar driver received a phone call from Titan Racing crew chief Bingo Jenkins and was jetting to Brisbane within days.
Shaffer will join a record field of 14 American imports at the Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in Warrnambool this weekend.
“I had a last-minute call come in for me to race,” Shaffer told The Standard yesterday. “I barely had time to pack. But I’ve known Bingo Jenkins and his dad, Gene, for a long time so it made the decision pretty easy.”
The Titan team has set out a solid program of racing for the visitor, starting with the two-night Australian Open in Brisbane on January 6 — the day of Shaffer’s arrival — followed by the World Series Sprintcar round in Adelaide on Saturday.
Shaffer heads to Mount Gambier this Friday before gearing up for his Classic debut in Warrnambool this weekend.
While the 44-year-old is still adjusting to the Titan #36 machine, his early form in Australia indicates he could challenge for line honours.
Shaffer, who won the marquee Knoxville Nationals in 2010 and has three All-Star Circuit of Champions titles, placed first in the B-main at Brisbane before shooting from 15th position to sixth in the $20,000-to-win feature.
“I’m still learning it and I’m still tuning on it,” he said. “It’s still a bit different to what would feel normal to me.”
Shaffer has heard plenty about Warrnambool’s grand annual but has never had the opportunity to race.
Despite being on debut, the tourist is confident in his ability on the unfamiliar turf.
“I’ve heard that it’s a lot of fun, like nationals at home,” he said.
“I’ve heard they get a good crowd there and it’s a good party atmosphere.
“I’m excited and I’m looking forward to racing there.”
Shaffer will be in the company of countrymen, including World Of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers, 2010 Classic winner Shane Stewart, six-time Classic champion Danny Smith, Californian teen sensation Kyle Larson, Craig Dollansky, Paul McMahan, Lucas Wolfe, David Gravel, Jonathon Allard, Caleb Griffith, Jason Johnson, Daryn Pittman and R.J. Johnson.
The jovial driver said there was a good reason for the record field of American nominations this year.
“It’s too cold at home,” Shaffer laughed.
A confirmed 85 drivers have nominated for the Classic.
Shaffer will attend the Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday at the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery car park from 10am to noon before heading to Premier Speedway.
While the US racer is ready for the fun of Classic weekend, when the green flag waves he means business.
“This is what I do for a living,” he said.
“So I’d like to make a bit of money to support my wife and my kid back home.”
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