WARRNAMBOOL driver Jamie Veal is off to a fast start in his quest to claim Australia’s biggest event, the Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
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Veal set a new record by becoming the first to nominate for January’s classic at Premier Speedway, more than four months out from the three-night event that carries more than $200,000 in prizemoney.
Veal is hoping the first to enter becomes first across the line.
The 25-year-old, who claimed his first US feature race win in July, won the night two feature at the Classic this year before finishing third behind American Tim Kaeding.
“It’s the number one priority every year,” Veal said of his home-town race.
He is planning to make an early start to the 2014-15 season at Parramatta on October 4.
“I should have two or three nights under my belt before the first show here. They start a bit earlier up north,” he said.
“Last year we didn’t start until December and you need momentum going into Speedweek (over the Christmas/New Year period). We got our momentum later in January.
“I have to do all the shows here before Christmas and then the Classic and get more experience. I’m pretty comfortable here (at Premier Speedway).”
Veal, who was a World Series Sprintcars contracted driver last summer, is not planning on contesting the gruelling series this season.
He is preferring to pick and choose his events, geared around timing his run to the Classic. That means he will venture north to Sydney several times before the start of the Victorian season.
Veal’s early entry for the Classic kick-starts the build-up to January.
Premier Speedway general manager David Mills, who has been spruiking the Classic to American drivers during the off-season, is excited about the prospects for yet another bumper entrant list.
Premier Speedway’s season opens with a day show on November 16, followed by a round of the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria series on November 23.
