Wangaratta racer Ian Thomsen will contest the Extreme Sports Sedan event this Saturday at the Wahgunyah Speedway. Photo: Vern Parker of Vern Parker Photography.
Wahgunyah Speedway returns to action this Saturday night, January 17, with a massive program headlined by the Extreme Sports Sedan Series.
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The action-packed schedule also features the Junior Sedans State Series, the Goulburn Ovens Sedans Association backing up from Swan Hill with another State Series round, and the Unlimited Sedans contesting a round of the Corowa–Rutherglen Track Championship.
Speedway action runs from 3:00pm through to no later than 10:30pm, delivering a full afternoon and evening of racing. Fans arriving early can take part in the popular pit walk, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the cars, drivers, and race teams.
This is a great opportunity to meet drivers, grab merchandise and autographs, take photos, and even sit in a race car.
The Extreme Sports Sedan field is stacked with talent, with a long list of genuine contenders.
Among the state’s regular podium finishers making the trip to the northeast are Brendan and Damien Miller from Melbourne’s southeast, Shane Simpson, Nathan and Shane O’Brien from Melbourne’s northeast, Tommy McDonald from Wodonga, Ian Thomsen, Jay Nicolaisen, Mick Mannix from Wangaratta, Harry Cecil, Dale Smith, David Donnegan, and Corowa’s own Danny Cox, who is always a fan favourite and a consistent feature-race threat.
While the winner is likely to come from this group, there are plenty more on the entry list who cannot be overlooked. Brendan Miller claimed victory at Wahgunyah in December, winning on points and continuing his familiar presence atop the podium.
Local favourite Tommy McDonald, a strong supporter of the Corowa–Rutherglen Speedway Club, will once again have the crowd firmly behind him, and a win in a field of this calibre would be a huge result.
Many Goulburn Ovens Sedans competitors are based around Corowa and Albury, ensuring strong local interest. Drivers such as Swan Hill winner Ben Schmetzer, along with brother Tommy, Nathan Shortis, Daniel Joosten, and Brandan Lovell will all be in the thick of the action.
Shortis is often the pacesetter, regularly pushed hard by the Schmetzer brothers, producing thrilling battles to the chequered flag.
Local Lily Frost will be a big chance to take out the Junior Sedan race. Photo: Vern Parker of Vern Parker Photography.
Junior Sedan nominations are continuing, with some drivers unavailable due to Australian Title commitments in Western Australia last weekend and again this Saturday.
Entries may also be affected by the ongoing bushfire situation in parts of Victoria, particularly the Murrindindi Shire.
Early nominations include Steane Cosson, Zack Erickson, Jai Hallett, Oscar Conder, and local drivers Lily Frost, Lucas Williams, and Kade Brockley.
Cosson was a consistent front-runner last season, while Corowa rookies Frost, Williams, and Brockley are all showing strong promise in their debut season.
The latest round of the Unlimited Sedans Track Championship has attracted a healthy field. Corey McDonald enters as the favourite, but strong challenges are expected from Riley Taylor, Lennie Bonnici, Josh Barber, and Anthony McKean. Bonnici is a proven endurance racer, having won the 100-Lap Derby at Alexandra four times, and has also shown strong form at Nagambie.
Taylor has impressed in his debut Unlimited Sedan season, Barber was in excellent form at a recent Drouin meeting, and McKean remains a consistent podium contender.
Gates open to the public at 11:00am, with racing starting at 3:00pm.
A full canteen will be operating on site with hot and cold food and drinks available. Entry is $25 for adults, while aged pensioners and children aged 12 to 16 are $15.
Children under 12 receive free entry, and family tickets are available for $60, covering two adults and three children aged 12 to 16.
Australian Defence Force veterans with valid veterans’ cards receive free entry.
For enquiries, please contact Brendon Eames on 0400 126 487.
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