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FRIDAY AND SUNDAY! |
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LATE MODELS OVER 2 GREAT NIGHTS! |
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US ACE Doug Drown will be in action this Friday and Sunday! |
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| The Australian Late Model Nationals will be held over
two great nights at the Perth Motorplex. The National title kicks off on Friday night as a part of the popular Autotrader Fast Friday which encompasses Sportsman Speedway and Sportsman Drag Racing along with the Late Models this Friday night. The first session of Late Model qualifying commences at 6pm. Six 10 lap heats have been scheduled during Fridays event. Then on Sunday 27 January the National titles will be decided with a great evening of Super Speedway culminating in an awesome 30 lap Championship A main. |
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| 2008 Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals Preview National titles, by there very nature, are steeped in tradition. A burning desire to be crowned number one in their chosen field exists in every sportsman and sportswoman. When you join tradition and desire together you provide the spark that can trigger an epic title chase. The 7th Annual Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals at the Perth Motorplex January 25 and 27 promises to be one such epic! Historically the Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals have forged a tradition that is set to stand the length of time. That tradition incorporates a tale of a hard and difficult race, often conducted under tricky track conditions, that features a cast of dirt track warriors from across the nation, and indeed the globe, in an all-out foot-to-the-pedal battle to be crowned number one. To be beaten at the National titles is no disgrace, but in the days, weeks, and months that follow, few remember who finished behind the winner. The race fans, and historians, can only recall the champion. When the engines fall silent at the Perth Motorplex on January 27, another name will go into the record books, another racer will stand on the podium with a smile that could light up the night sky, and another piece of Australian Dirt Late Model Racing tradition will have been created. The Perth Motorplex in Western Australia has been the 'home' of the Australian Dirt Late Model nationals since its inception. With facilities equal to any major speedway in the world, the Perth Motorplex provides the ideal setting for what is arguably one of the most exciting V8 clashes on the planet! A field of close to 40 competitors will unload their gleaming race machines in the finely manicured pit area at the Perth Motorplex. One of those racers will be the next Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals Champion. But who are the likely contenders, and challengers, for the most prestigious Dirt Late Model race in the nation? Brad Blake, affectionately known as 'the 0 show', is a name that goes hand in hand with the Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals. With three National Dirt Late Model titles to his credit no other racer has tasted such success. Ask any driver in the field who they have to beat, and the name Brad Blake will come back in the next sentence. Since switching from his family based operation to drive for the Minetec Racing Marc Zimmer team, Bunbury based Blake has had his passion rekindled. In 2007 Blake started mid-pack at the Nationals and quietly worked himself into contention in the closing stages. A few laps later he had his third national title trophy firmly grasped in his hands! Veteran US racer Ron Miller is back 'downunder' for the Australia Dirt Late Model Nationals after going oh-so-close to claiming the title in 2007. Running the Blake family Rayburn, Miller showed that experience counts in big races. Starting off the front row after winning his two Heats Miller set a cracking pace, leading deep into the final stages of the race. Miller has toured Australia on numerous occasions, and despite being in what some may see as the 'twilight' of his career, continues to be a front runner in Michigan and Ohio Dirt Late Model competition. Another US racer out to make his mark on the QFS Australia Dirt Late Model Nationals is Doug Drown of Wooster Ohio. Drown is an emerging talent in US Dirt Late Model competition. While in Australia Drown will be based out of the Team Vosbergen Racing workshop. TVR principal Craig Vosbergen has travelled to, and competed, in the US the past two years, basing himself out of the Doug Drown Racing facility, so the deal is something of a repaid 'favour'. Drown will steer the RACIN Tyres & Accessories Rocket house car that will be decked out in his traditional plum #12 colours. Expect Drown to be ultra competitive. While Craig Vosbergen will be keeping a watchful eye on how Doug Drown performs, he is also one of the leading contenders to snare victory in the QFS Australia Dirt Late Model Nationals. Team Vosbergen Racing always turn out a stunning race car, and Vosbergen has proven time and time again that he has serious race pace. Can Vosbergan annex the National title? By 10.30pm Sunday January 27 we will know the answer. The field is stacked with Western Australia racers that can run at the front and defeat the aforementioned four drivers. Former National Champion Ryan Halliday has been lightning fast since switching to a GRT chassis. Veteran Ben Ludlow, another driver who has travelled to the US to compete, knows the fast way around the Perth Motorplex. Warren Oldfield in an ex Brad Blake title winning car could easily upset the established players, having been solid throughout the early part of the 2007/08 season. Terry Chamberlain, a consistent racer with plenty of pace, Bert Vosbergen, a hard charger anytime he gets behind the wheel, Kevin Bell, mr super smooth, the list goes on and on. Mark Duncombe could give the title a big shake. Brad Ludlow, unlucky, but fast, will 2008 be his year? Clint Noakes, Matt Goodlad, Jason Oldfield, and Phil Richards, are others that could find their way to the podium by race end. And lets not forget the only female in the field, Veronica McCann, who has shown in 2007/08 (her debut Dirt Late Model season) that she can more than match it with her male counterparts. Despite the Western Australia racers having a slight home track advantage a handful of East Coast racers are making the long trek to Perth in the hope of wresting the title out of the locals grip. Scott McPherson, Nathan Disney, Darryl Grimson, Ken Croft, and Barry Kelleher are experienced sedan racers who will not be taking the competition, or the Perth Motorplex track, lightly. Kelleher, another of the veterans in the field, finished fourth in last year's race, while Croft is the only East Coast racer not to have competed at the Perth Motorplex previously. While Heat racing will commence Friday January 25, Saturday has been set aside as a 'lay day' to make way for Australia Day celebrations in Perth and its surrounds. But come Sunday night January 27 a stellar field of racers will take to the Perth Motorplex high banks in search of glory in the Australia Dirt Late Model Nationals. So are the 2008 Australia Dirt Late Model Nationals really going to be that good? Yes. Are they going to be great? Yes. Are they going to be mind blowing? You bet! Almost time to get yourself track-side for what promises to be the best Dirt Late Model race on any Australian Speedway this summer! Let the tradition continue……….. Australian Dirt Late Model Nationals - Historical Results 2002: 1. Allan Butcher 2. Brad Blake 3. Brad Ludlow 2003: 1. Ryan Halliday 2. Brad Blake 3. Brad Ludlow 2004: 1. Brad Blake 2. Marc Giancola 3. Jaron Crane 2005: 1. Bruce Trenaman 2. Michael Hebditch 3. Brad Ludlow 2006: 1. Brad Blake 2. Ryan Halliday 3. Ben Ludlow 2007: 1. Brad Blake 2. Warren Oldfield 3. Ben Ludlow |
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| So come and celebrate the Australia Day Long Weekend with a huge double header - the Australian Late Model Nationals plus MONSTER BIKE! on Sunday night January 27. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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