The Tracks
In the early years, the Title was contested as a series, with rounds held across multiple venues, something that occurred on four occasions.
Looking at standalone events, however, the Perth Motorplex has been the dominant host venue, staging the Title eleven times. Bunbury and Collie have hosted three times each, Manjimup and Northam twice, while Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Albany have each hosted once.
This weekend marks the twelfth standalone running at the Motorplex and remarkably, the tenth consecutive year the venue has hosted the prestigious event.
Winning Drivers
Across twenty-eight completed championships, thirteen drivers have etched their names into WA Late Model history.
Brad Blake leads the statistics with an extraordinary ten victories. Courtesy of his win last season, Jamie Oldfield sits next best with three wins.
Four drivers have claimed two victories apiece: Warren Oldfield, Craig Vosbergen, Brent Vosbergen and Kye Blight.
Seven other drivers have stood on the top step once: Chase Karpenko, Ryan Halliday, Marc Giancola, Paul Stubber, Alan Nylander, Scott McPherson and Kodee Brown.
Of those thirteen champions, seven have also gone on to become National Champions, highlighting the quality of competition in Western Australia.
Interestingly, just two interstate drivers have won the WA Title: Northern Territorian Chase Karpenko (Motorplex, 2005/06) and Scott McPherson (Northam, 2007/08).
Podium Performers
While thirteen drivers have won the Title, thirty-one have stood on the WA Championship podium over the years.
Unsurprisingly, Blake leads the way again with fourteen podium appearances: ten wins, one second and three thirds.
Next best is Warren Oldfield with nine podiums (two wins, five seconds, two thirds), followed by Ryan Halliday with six (one win, one second and four thirds).
Who has stood on the podium the most without winning? That distinction is shared by Ben Ludlow (two seconds and two thirds) and John Cardy (one second and three thirds).
Seven visiting drivers, both interstate and international, have also featured on the podium over the years: three from New South Wales, two from the ACT, one from the Northern Territory and one American, Doug Drown.
The Drivers
Although research into the complete historical records is ongoing, at this stage 124 drivers have contested at least one WA Late Model Title.
Ten drivers made their Title debut last season, and that number is set to grow again this weekend with more first-time contenders joining the field.
When it comes to appearances, Brad Blake again leads the way. He has competed in all but one WA Title, 27 in total, missing only the 2020/21 version.
Next most experienced is Jay Cardy with 20 appearances, followed by Warren Oldfield (19), Craig Vosbergen (18), and Ryan Halliday and Matt Goodlad with 16 each. Those figures may increase slightly once full historical research is completed.
Last season saw 36 nominations, with 35 drivers officially taking to the track — the largest field in WA Title history. This season, 37 drivers are nominated… can we make history?
The Numbers
Statistics tell some fascinating stories, and none more so than car numbers.
The most successful number in WA Title history is the #0, famously driven by Brad Blake. The #0 has stood on the podium fourteen times.
The next most successful numbers are #15 with eight podium appearances and #99 with seven, while #8 has appeared five times.
Interestingly, #3 is the only single-digit number never to have appeared on the WA Title podium.
Two drivers have contested the Title under six different car numbers each. Brad Ludlow has competed as A1, #2, #10, #21, #92 and #95, while Jason Oldfield has raced under #9, #11, #15J, #55, #61 and #96.
Jamie Oldfield celebrates winning the 2024/25 WA Late Model Championship at Perth Motorplex – Photo by Richard Hathaway photography
So, what will the 2025/26 version hold?
Find out this Friday and Saturday night at the Perth Motorplex!
PLUS – download and read the full Official event program!
