THE Dumesny name is synonymous with the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
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Three-time winner, perennial crowd favourite Max will tackle the prestigious Warrnambool race with his teenage son Matt for the first time this weekend.
The father-and-son combination have drawn opposing qualifying nights — Matt will race on Friday night and Max on Saturday night.
Results will determine whether the pair line-up against one another on Sunday night for the Classic’s finale.
Matt, 19, said the opportunity to race at Premier Speedway alongside his famous father, who collected Classic titles in 1992, 1994 and 2004, was exciting for the family.
“It should be good. It’s a new track (for me) and something different,” he said of his maiden appearance at Premier Speedway.
“There will be plenty of cars there.
‘‘It’s pretty much an American Knoxville Nationals races there are that many Americans here.
“Hopefully he (Max) goes good as well.
‘‘It’d be good if he could get another Classic win before he finishes racing.”
Matt’s sprintcar career is in its infancy.
The former go-kart driver, who races motocross in the winter, said he would love to emulate his father’s feats but felt no pressure following in his footsteps.
“I am having a bit of fun at the moment and seeing where it takes me,” Matt said.
“At the moment it is looking good. I am learning quickly and getting better and better every week.
“I have done nine races in total and I think we have been in the same race four times.
“He lets me do my own thing.
‘‘He’d rather me learn like that.’’
Matt said some people had labelled his driving style similar to his dad’s.
“He is more smooth because he’s been doing it for that long,” he said.
“I have been running the bottom pretty good and that’s what he always does.”
Max said his son was excited about his Classic debut.
“He’s not raced at a track with a fence before so it will be different for him,” he said.
The Grand Annual has attracted 118 competitors, including a record 22 American drivers.
Max said he was quietly confident of his chances but expects up to 20 drivers to push for overall honours.
“You never know,” he said.
“If luck goes your way in qualifying you could be up there.
“I am going down there with some ambition.’’
The Dumesnys’ affiliation with racing stretches further than Max and Matt.
Matt’s older brother Mitchell will work in his pit crew this weekend. Mitchell’s sprintcar career is on hold due to a serious back injury that kept him out of last year’s event.
Matt’s older sister Michaela races wingless sprints, while younger brother Marcus is carving out a karting career.
The entire Dumesny family will attend the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au