COURTNEY O’Hehir is happy her name is now among the esteemed list of drivers to have tackled the famed Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“It’s pretty much the Bathurst 1000 of sprintcars, so it’s a big deal and it’s good to be able to run in it,” she said.
The Sydney-based driver – one of four females in the 96-car strong Sunday night field including heat eight winner Lisa Walker– is finding her way in sprintcars after starting her career in wingless sprints and speedcars.
O’Hehir, 22, will compete for the Australian title in Parramatta next week too.
“I’ve always wanted a challenge and sprintcars are the top thing in speedway,” she said.
O’Hehir, who followed her stepdad Cameron Burnham into racing, said the longevity of speedway’s greats was something to aspire to.
“It’s pretty cool when you’re racing up against Max Dumesny, who has been here a million times,” she said.
American Harli White also made her Grand Annual debut at Premier Speedway.
White’s preparation for the world-famous race began with almost a month of racing in Sydney and also at Murray Bridge, in South Australia.
She said she experienced what felt like a rise in class since arriving in Australia from Oklahoma and expected to return to the United States as an improved driver.
“It’s different, it’s harder and it’s hotter (than Oklahoma) right now. For the most part, it’s fun, and it’s what I do for a living,” White said.
“It’s the best of the best here. It’s tougher here than it is back home and I believe that now that I’ve been a part of it. We race against some Australians back home – not many but a few – and it’s just an honour to be here and to be a part of it.”
White said the spectacle of the classic was unlike anything she’d experienced in the United States and hailed Australian sprintcar racing’s dedication to its fans.
Jessie Attard (D-Main), Matt Dumesny (C-Main 1), Mailors Flat driver Peter Doukas (C-Main 2), Carson Macedo (B-Main 1) and Dominic Scelzi (B-Main 2) won the other feature races on the jam-packed program.
Three other Americans – classic debutant Cory Eliason, Terry McCarl and Shane Stewart – also progressed to the showcase race after strong performances in B-Main 2. Jordyn Brazier, Luke Oldfield and Ian Loudoun were the other B-Main 1 drivers to advance.
Heat winners were Sammy Walsh, Oldfield, Matt Dumesny, Braydan Willmington, Daniel Harding, who raced on Friday night and flew home to Western Australia for his best friend’s wedding before returning to the Eastern states for the classic finale, Jamie Maiolo, Shaun Dobson, Chace Karpenko and Walker.