THE unassuming Max Dumesny isn’t someone who seeks the limelight.
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But the three-time Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion’s driving credentials warrant such fanfare.
Premier Speedway wanted to honour one of its favourite sons – the lad from Nullawarre who has gone on to forge one of the most revered careers in Australian sprintcars.
Drivers will contest Max’s Race, a Sprintcar Association of Victoria series round which also doubles as an Ultimate Sprintcar Series event, on Saturday night.
Dumesny will compete alongside sons Matthew, 21, and Marcus, 16.
They are part of a bumper 71-car field.
Dumesny said Premier Speedway general manager David Mills approached him about introducing Max’s Race in the hope of making it a regular feature on the Allansford track’s calendar.
“I said ‘it sounds good to me’ and if it will do something for Warrnambool and get it a promo-table race that’s good,” he said.
“It is pretty humbling and pretty neat.”
Dumesny is excited to race alongside his sons.
The emerging drivers have also nominated for January’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
Marcus will make his Classic debut while Matthew is preparing for his second assault on the iconic race.
Dumesny said the SRA round was a chance for them to get a feel for the track.
“It will be pretty neat (racing with them). Marcus hasn’t been there before so it will be interesting,” he said.
“I am not determined to beat them than anyone else – they’re just another car on the track.
“It’s different when I am watching.
“It’s a bit more nerve-racking watching for sure.”
Dumesny, who is leading the Parramatta track championship, said he would only contest one SRA round this season.
“I want to do as well as a I can and stay out of trouble because we have a lot of racing coming up,” he said.
Dumesny is busily preparing for another Grand Annual Classic tilt.
The New South Wales-based driver has notched 14 podium finishes – three firsts, six seconds and five thirds – in the esteemed race.
His first top-three result was in 1988 and he broke through for a win three years later.
“The goal will be to win it, whether I can or not, who knows,” Dumesny said of his 2016 ambitions.
“It’s all in the qualifying.
“If you qualify up front and start up front, you are in with a show.”
Gates for Saturday’s meeting open at 4pm.
