WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS GETS A BIG THUMBS UP

The 2 day World Series Sprintcar rounds held at the Perth Motorplex have been given a huge thumbs up from spectators and racers alike. While Friday nights conditions were trying and difficult, the large crowd in attendance were rewarded with a sensational A main final with the 25 lap record being demolished by Victorian Max Dumesny by a whopping 9 seconds. Following are some of the extracts from letters, faxes and emails that have been received.

Kwinana: What a place! Paul Timmis 13.NOV.06 Well what a venue. My first visit to the Plex and let me say I’m impressed. It is simply the best speedway complex in the world. The facilities are second to none. You get the feeling you should wipe you feet before entering the pits as you would at home. It is doctor’s surgery clean, (have you ever heard of manicured lawns in the pits?), and obviously designed by a speedway enthusiast rather than by an ill informed architect. If I was to have one small criticism then it would be that the whole place is still a bit sterile and needs time to ‘grow character’ and gain a history. The Kwinana officials helped us immensely; they are to be congratulated on their professionalism and their friendly manner. It was good fun working and socialising with them, enjoying a beer and BBQ afterwards. No signs of ‘white coat’ syndrome anywhere. World number one Donny Shatz along with Brooke Tatnell, Jason Johnson, Pittman, Brazier, Dumesny, the list just goes on and on, they were all there and some. The weather was unkind on Friday night with annoying showers coming on right when we didn’t want them. The frustration, chopping and changing the programme trying to make it happen saw us complete time trials, one set of heats and the A main. We so badly wanted to put on a show but couldn’t catch a break. Night two was completely different. I witnessed possibly the finest exhibition of sprintcar driving ever in heat three with Brooke and Donny exchanging the lead some 10 times or more in as many laps. It was as though it was choreographed. As an infield official I had a close encounter with Luch Monte as he exited from turn 2 with me in turn 3 set firmly in his sights. Just like a heat seeking missile he locked on, seemingly chasing me across the infield. I won’t go into detail but after a bit of ducking and weaving and a whole lotta luck he missed. A quick visit to the dunny to powder my nose and on with the show. The WA swing was a huge success paving the way for a return visit hopefully next year. The WSS team and crews are heading for Adelaide’s Speedway City ready for next weekends assault on the City of Churches. Some have flown, most are driving across the Nullarbor. It is a long way to Perth but so worth it. To quote Arnie “I’ll be back”

Team owner of USA driver Jason Johnson – Darren Disbury From: Darren Disbury Sent: Monday, 13 November 2006 2:29 PM To: Gavin Migro Subject: WSS Gavin, Thank you for hosting a round of the WSS. It is a wonderful venue that you have and it was a pleasure to partake in the WSS entertainment that the fans obviously enjoyed. I look forward to the opportunity to race at your venue again and hope that in the future the Motorplex will see the exception value the WSS show offers and reward the drivers with two full shows Kind Regards Darren Disbury Sales & Marketing Manager Allsteel Transportable Homes

Gavin, The two nights were the best two nights racing in Western Australia. The only two nights I can remember that was comparable was back at Claremont, the World Derby with Rush winning from Barbagallo beating the USA boys and again an Aussie in Brooke came home in front. Congratulations to the staff and management team having the vision to bring the World Series back to the West Geoff Murphy

From: Mal Heron Sontax Australia Sent: Monday, 13 November 2006 9:55 AM To: Gavin Migro Subject: great meeting Hi Gavin Quick note to congratulate all on 2 nights great racing , particularly in trying circumstances on Friday night. Its not often you get a sprint car feature in with out a heap of stoppages, it was a sensational race with some of the best racing I have seen. I hope the exercise was justified for all concerned. Regards, Mal Mal Heron Sontax Australia (1988) Pty Ltd ABN 83 009 180 278 20 Baile Road Canning Vale 6155 Western Australia www.sontax.com.au

Hi, I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the World Series Sprintcars meetings. Both nights had the most awesome sprintcar racing I've ever seen. It was great to see the quality of drivers that came over from the Eastern States and the Americans, they are brilliant drivers. Full credit to everyone who organised the event. It would be great to see World Series back again at Kwinana next season. Kind regards, Steven Sharp

And the following editorial was extracted from www.sprintcarworld.com.au Latest News Sprintcar World Snippets - World Series Sprintcars @ Perth Motorplex Author : Daniel Beard * Awesome * That first dot point is plain and simple. The Perth Motorplex is simply awesome. I was blown away by the facility when I attended its very first meeting and the facility never ceases to amaze. * The facility beyond the catch fence, as outstanding as it is, is now almost playing second fiddle to the racetrack itself. The black gumbo laden racetrack is ‘pure sprintcar poetry’. The advancement of Sprintcars over the years has meant that the elite class has basically outgrown many of the bullrings in our country. Sure these tracks can ‘run’ Sprintcars, but, can Sprintcars ‘race’ there? In my mind, there are only 3 tracks in the land, and one of those is also becoming questionable as to having the ability to allow Sprintcars of today to truly ‘race’. * Speaking of being able to ‘race’. Some of the racing at the Motorplex over the past two nights was the best Sprintcar racing you will ever see. It was some of the best racing I have ever seen anywhere in the world. The heat on the 2nd night between Brooke Tatnell and Donny Schatz was an epic. A nice slick track with a cushion inches from the wall was the ingredients for mouth watering action. Rim riding antics combined with the all to frequent slidejobs allowed cars to race hard, yet clean which is exactly what the paying public deserves. * The Motorplex with its cage type front fence and long straightaways is hauntingly similar to watching Sprintcars at the famed Knoxville Raceway. It truly is an amazing sight to see Sprintcars lock down on the race track under the force of the huge top wings when hitting the speeds they do at such tracks as Eldora, Knoxville and the Motorplex. One crew chief explained that this place allows you to setup a Sprintcar the way they are designed to be setup. I can tell you these cars are belting entering the turns at Kwinana. My ears were literally ringing from the revs the cars were producing through the turns. That doesnt happen anywhere else in the land. * Con Migro was a happy man after the meeting. “That’s the 2nd straight feature race to go non-stop”. His frank assessment of the low attrition rate gave me food for thought. Here is a place that is as fast as any in the land, provides 3 and 4 wide racing, slidejobs, wall tapping exits yet the pure size and track width allows cars the room to adjust and manouvre around any potentially dangerous moments. I recall seeing Wells in full flight and elbows up tapping the turn two wall to blow by a fellow competitor only to see a slower car baulk him down the back chute. Within a blink of an eye Wells dove low on the back straight and then drifted back to the cushion in 3 and 4. It was magic to watch. * I really like the open pit access policy at the Motorplex. In short, the public when entering the facility can choose Gold, Silver or Bronze seating. Gold provides a reserved seat and programme. Both Gold and Silver areas are main side of the racetrack and anyone with these tickets are free to wander down into the pits at any time during the night. There are no cars under power in the pit area which allows this unprecedented access. I think it’s a great deal. The asphalted roadways allow couples to wear their nice high heels and dress pants to the speedway, and stroll around the pits to learn what goes on behind the scenes. Gee, Imagine what we could do with the sport if we had a Motorplex in every capital city..... * As much as we all want things to jump to the next level, there are some things that should always remain the same. The ‘General’ John Day and his immaculate band of utes is a highlight every time you attend the speedway in WA. The ‘General’ is getting on and for a fleeting moment during time trials when Allan Haynes stomped the gas and stood the car high on its rear wheels, I thought the great man was in serious trouble. Luckily Haynes thought the wiser and got off the gas to steer the car perilously close but safely past the General. * Not only did my heart stop for that moment, but so to did that of the entire Day family. This family is something else. Just ask Brooke Tatnell. I gotta give Kylie a plug, those meatballs are to die for and definitely worth the long flight over for those alone. Thanks heaps Smiley for everything you do for Sprintcar World. * Our thanks must extend to our entire band of workers which make Sprintcar World what it is. Rick Gilmour and Brad Steele who commentate each and every race they can in WA are two examples of the dedication behind the scenes. Two absolute legends and its always great to catch up with these two. By the way, Happy Birthday Trick! * I witnessed one of the most bizarre incidents I have ever seen on a racetrack this weekend at the Motorplex. Ben Ellement got way too deep into the opening corner of his heat and rode the wall. He first end for ended the car before flipping. The flip was that dramatic that the reds came on immediately. What happened next was incredible. At the end of the barrel roll the car landed back on all four wheels, surged back into life and Ben drove away under power down the back straight with what appeared little more than top wing damage! * I must mention Donny Schatz. This guy is something else. When all cars are time trialling in the low 14’s, the Outlaws Champion from North Dakota comes out and stops the clock at a 13.8! In a field of that quality, it just shows how much talent the Minot Missile has packed into his nuggety frame. * Speaking of talent, what an impressive performance by Mitchell Dumesny. The kid was super smooth in time trials and spanked many season veterans to post a top 5 qualifying run. Luck was against young Mitch with the format on night 1 but his fresh attitude to the sport is quite infectious. Mitch learned a lot of the 2 nights under the tutalidge of Sean Carren and was quite frank about the main event. “Your going to have to run it against the boards. I have run the wall at Premier but this place is heaps faster!” Mitch stuck to his word and ran inches from the wall. Keep an eye on this young talent. * Brooke Tatnell deserves everything that comes his way. I walked into the pits on Friday afternoon and worked my way from truck to truck to catch up with many of the teams. Upon arriving at the Krikke Motorsport transporter Brooke emerged with a welcoming handshake and a good to see you. After spending time with Brooke in the pits after his win its great to see it’s the things that really matter are the things that are the most important to Brooke. His idol and inspiration George are at the forefront of Brookes mind at all times. I wish George could have seen his boy run down and blow by the Pick N Payless #2. * You could have been forgiven for thinking there was a set of rev head Siamese twins frolicking around the motorplex over the weekend. Garry Brazier and Ryan Farrell are great mates and are like two peas in a pod. They faced off many times over the weekend and the duels were great to watch. The rivalry didn’t stop on the track however and the constant banter in the pits as to who actually had the better of the other was as entertaining as the racing itself. As John Farrell said “I have to just close my eyes and pray with them two on the track. If they gambled on who would turn left last, they would both end up in the wall to win the bet!” Ryan doesn’t rate himself in the same league as Brazier, I think you are understating your talent mate. * Interesting to talk to Bill Mann at the end of the show. The team are really scratching their heads trying to get the car to go forward. Everything they do doesn’t seem to make a difference in getting the power to the ground. Two new maxims have already been used with no hint of any advancement. Could we see Brazier peddling a J&J in the near future? Time will tell. * I must pay a thankyou to the management of the Motorplex and in particular Gavin Migro. Gav was a very happy man after the show about how it all panned out in the end. A great crowd, some insane racing and a finishing time of 10.34 meant the event was a glowing success. Well done Gav. Great to be a part of it. * I am going to finish my Snippets with a tear in my eye but a warmth in my heart for the ‘Magic Man’. The speedway community is a family like no other. Watching Wade’s gut wrenching tribute to Figs with all the drivers on the infield was one of the most humbling experiences in my time in the sport. Then to see the Figliomeni family walk across the track to be part of the formation for the A-Main just topped it all off. Figs was a champion in a sport full of champion people. R.I.P. Figs.