The countdown has begun to the biggest weekend in Australian Speedcar racing when the 69th Australian Championship will be decided this Friday and Saturday night. Close to 50 of the finest Speedcar drivers will converge on Avalon Raceway for what promises to be a massive week culminating with Saturday night’s 40 lap Championship final. Defending champion is the 20 year old American sensation Kevin Swindell who is looking for back to back title wins to add to his recent Chili Bowl Indoor Championship win in Oklahoma against 265 of the worlds best drivers.

Joining Swindell in the field is fellow American Davey Ray from Davenport, Iowa who is a former winner of the Australian Speedcar Championship in 2006 and 2008. Ray will be a keen to reproduce the race winning form that saw him take victory in the third round of the Speedcar Super Series at Avalon in November.

Among the Australian contingent intent on reclaiming the national crown is New South Wales supremo Mark Brown who’s performance last weekend at Warrnambool still has people talking. Brown won the A-main after starting the race from 18th position on the grid to defeat some of the sports biggest names in the process.

Should a Victorian win the final on Saturday night it would be the first time since 1939 that a driver from the Garden State has won the coveted race. Sunbury’s Harley Bishop is among nine Victorian’s hoping to capture Speedcar racing’s holy grail.

“It would mean everything,” said the 29-year-old second-generation racer.

“More so for our family, its been something that Dad (Ray) has tried to achieve so many times and he was cut short by luck and whatever else. For me and the state of Victoria to win this race would mean a lot and it would be great for my career, it’s huge.”

“The Australian Speedcar Title is just getting so big now, it is well known in America and it has become very prestigious with the names that are on that trophy. The Australian Title is the race to win.”

Despite the obvious pressures of winning, Bishop is quick to squash any talk that the pressure may take its toll this week.

“Not as such, Dad and I have spoken about the race a lot and he put so much emphasis on this one race for a couple of years that he based his whole season around it. I am not like that and I want to go there and treat the night like any other race and every heat I just want to go out and win it.”

Bishop enjoys one of the most sought after rides in Speedcar racing as he drives for New South Wales car owner Brad Dent. A Barry Graham Hawk engine powers Bishop’s Aggressor Speedcar while ironically this is the same car that American Davey Ray won the Avalon round of the Speedcar Super Series back in November.

“I had a good shot with Mike (Rinkin) last year and this year with Brad and the equipment and Brad’s knowledge of the car and setup then this is my best chance.”

“Local track knowledge is something but we have all been at the big shows there together so it might help us a little bit but with the modern day cars everyone is in the same boat. A lot of stuff has changed over the last four years with motors and shocks so it will be interesting.”

Like most of the speedway fraternity, Bishop is keeping a close eye on the American duo that are entered while also set to make an appearance is New Zealand youngster and 2010 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year Brad Mosen.

“The Internationals are always a danger and I think the Aussies this year have really got something to throw are them. Avalon is a bullring that is not all about horsepower. It’s about strategy, reading the track and getting the setup right. The American’s always bring there A game and they are very good at setups but I think there are a good six Aussies that can really throw everything at it.”

2010 Australian Speedcar Title Schedule.

Wednesday 17th Feb 2010
Machine Examinations 12 – 4pm
Official Practice – Free Entry for Spectators 6 - 8pm

Thursday 18th Feb 2010
Ford Discovery Centre – Corner Gheringhap and Brougham Streets, Geelong
Drivers Briefing 4:30pm
Function and Calcutta 5:30 – 10:30pm

Friday 19th Feb 2010
Engine Starts 6pm
Racing Starts 7pm
Each driver will contest three heats

Saturday 20th Feb 2010
Engine Starts 6pm approx.
Racing Starts 7pm
Each driver will contest a remaining heat, B-main, Top 8 Pole Shuffle and 40 lap Championship Final


2010 Australian Speedcar Title Nominations – Avalon Raceway, February 19 – 20, 2010.

A1 Kevin Swindell (USA)

V3 Peter Ghent
V5 Darren Power
V8 Mark Craven
V10 Travis Mills
V13 Andy Pearce
V17 Robbie Gordon
V21 Craig Hume
V33 Craig Smith
V97 David Crabtree

SA2 Matt Coombe
SA5 John McKay
SA7 Tim Crouch
SA9 Ben Dillon
SA71 Davey Ray (USA)

NT11 Les Robertson

Q5 Adam Wallis
Q7 Grant Draney
Q13 Brett Foreman
Q14 Mick Harders
Q24 John Davidson
Q29 Brad Mosen (NZ)
Q41 Brendan Palmer
Q55 Brad Sloan
Q68 Syd Whittaker
Q75 Robert Mackay
Q91 Brock Hallett
Q96 Chris Singleton
Q99 Brock Dean

WA12 Vaughan Manders
WA14 Neville Lance
WA21 Dene McAllan
WA24 Dayne Kingshott
WA54 Jason Roser
WA56 Spare Car
WA76 Keith Giles

N6 Ant Brien
N7 Nathan Smee
N9 Scott Glazebrook
N25 Spare car for N7
N11 Harley Bishop
N53 Rod Francis
N69 Mark Brown
N70 Michael Rinkin
N76 Troy Jordan
N78 Troy Jenkins

Website; www.avalonraceway.com

For more info contact Jeff Drew 0418 160 985 / Gavin White email gwxp@speedway.net.au


AVALON RACEWAY SEASON CALENDAR 2009/2010

February
Wednesday 17th - Speedcar Australian Title Practice

Friday 19th - Speedcar Australian Title, Super Sedans

Saturday 20th - Speedcar Australian Title, Modified Production Sedans

March
Sunday 7th - SRA Eureka Sprintcar Series Rd 10, Formula 500 TRI Steel Victorian Stampede Series Rd 5, V8 Dirt Modifieds

Saturday 20th - AMCA Nationals, Junior Sedans, Street Stocks, Wingless Sprints

April
Friday 2nd - Easter Sprintcar Trail Rd 1, Super Rods, 4 Cylinder Demo, Fireworks