RUNNING a 410 sprintcar at 17 is no mean feat.
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For Blake Walsh, it's just a regular weekend.
The Cobden-based teenager, who raced a 410 sprintcar for the first time this past summer, will return to a wingless at Premier Speedway's final meeting of the season on Friday night.
Walsh is one of 42 wingless drivers who will contest the meeting, while another 40 360 sprintcars will battle it out for victory as a part of the Triple Crown Series.
"It's good to be back in the wingless. It'll just be about adapting back into and hopefully trying to get up the front," Walsh said.
"It's just about adapting to the speed and obviously the wing (on a 410 sprintcar) is a whole different ball-game.
It's especially important because with a (410) sprintcar, you have a lot more power to get out of sticky situations.
- Blake Walsh
"But I enjoy racing it. It's a lot slower than a sprintcar but it's fairly competitive and that's what makes it difficult."
That's why the onus is on the driver to put in a good shift.
"It's especially important because with a (410) sprintcar, you have a lot more power to get out of sticky situations," he said.
"You've sort of got to know what you're doing (in a wingless)."
Walsh started in junior sedans, graduating to wingless sprintcars before taking the plunge in 410 sprintcars this past year. He felt the experience in different classes had improved his driving ability.
To throw another interesting narrative into the mix, Walsh will race against his sister, Carly, on Friday night.
"We've raced wingless a few times. It's been good to have her there," he said.
Consistency across both nights - Walsh will contest Premier Speedway and the Mount Gambier leg - are the aims.
"With a big field you can't afford to crash or anything like that," he said.
"You need to be fast and consistent."
Melton-based driver Jordyn Charge - who will contest the Triple Crown Series in a 360 sprintcar - felt he was starting to get an understanding of how to best-tackle the Allansford circuit.
Charge was confident his car could match it with any driver and was full of belief after a strong season running both 360 and 410 sprintcars.
"It's been a good season and we've done minimal damage to the car, which is nice," he said.
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