Wingless Sprints will take the track at Premier Speedway this week.
A FIELD of almost 100 cars will converge on Allansford’s Premier Speedway this week for the Australian Wingless Sprints Championship.
Premier Speedway general manager David Mills yesterday revealed entries for the title had topped 97 — almost the same number that filled the track’s pit area last month for the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
Drivers from every state and the Northern Territory have entered the titles which will be held across three nights of racing. Friday night’s opening session will include 49 drivers who will each have three heats.
On Saturday night, the other 47 drivers will have three heats before all drivers contest Sunday night’s finals.
The field includes about 20 south-west drivers. Mills said a number of sprintcar drivers would drop back to the wingless, which is considered a budget, entry-level class.
Newly-crowned Victorian open sprintcar champion Darren Mollenoyux, former winner Stephen Bell and Terang’s Jack Lee head the list of sprintcar pilots, which also includes Troy Little and Melbourne’s Brett Milburn.
Darryl Clayden, a former winner of the wingless national title from Western Australia, is also in the field.
Mills said V8 dirt modifieds would support the wingless sprints on Friday night while super rods would be in action on Saturday night.
Many super rod drivers are racing the clock to be ready for Saturday after an action-packed Trevor Podger Memorial at Simpson Speedway.
Lancefield’s Shaun Walsh overcome a rollover in heat racing to claim his fifth victory in the race, with Melton’s Jason Kavanagh second and Cobden speedster Dale Walsh third.
Shaun Walsh became the first driver to win the race five times, moving one clear of childhood racing idol and super rod great Mal Rankin.
n Regular Western Australian visitor Ryan Farrell has been stripped of his licence to race after recording a positive drug test before the World Series Sprintcars round at Bunbury last Saturday night.
Farrell revealed he has been battling depression and drug use and has vowed to fight his health issues in the same way he approached his racing — with determination.
Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic runner-up Terry McCarl opened his American campaign with a win in an All Stars show while Daryn Pittman won the opening World of Outlaw show.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au