Geelong’s Avalon Raceway will make the most of this weekend’s Labour Day holiday with close to 40 Sprintcars set to contest the Great Southern Showdown on Sunday night, March 7. The $5,000 to win event has attracted some of the sports biggest names including perennial favourite Robbie Farr also track specialist and December World Series Sprintcars round victor David Murcott. Talented 20 year old Northern Territory ace James McFadden will also tackle the best drivers from Victoria and South Australia on Sunday night.

The night also doubles as round 10 of the Eureka Sprintcar Series with point leader John Vogels leading Warrnambool ace Jamie Veal by a slender margin. Mike Van Bremen, Domain Ramsay and Brett Milburn are also toward the top of the Eureka Sprintcar Series as the championship battle is heating up.

“It’s a quality field, maybe the best we have seen for the Great Southern Showdown with some World Series regulars set to take on the likes of Vogels, Veal, Van Bremen and even Matthew Reed,” said Avalon Raceway’s Jeff Drew.

Reed, Vogels, Veal and Van Bremen are also leading the battle for the Essendon Ford Sprintcar Premiership with the major prize being a brand new Ford Fiesta valued at $18,000. With only two rounds of the track championship remaining the drivers in question will be keen for a strong result.

“Reed in particular will be keen to be back in familiar territory after racing at Bunbury in Western Australia last weekend for the annual Krikke Boys Memorial race. Reed is the defending event winner and will be once again one of the drivers to beat for the major first prize,” explained Drew.

Drew also said that it was important for fans to note the date for this weekend’s event being on the Sunday night with Monday’s public holiday making it perfect for families to enjoy the action from close to 40 Sprintcars on Sunday night.

“We usually run this event on the Saturday night however we have switched to Sunday night to allow teams to head to Simpson for round 9 of the Eureka Sprintcar Series before coming to Avalon on Sunday night.”

“It is very important that fans take note we will be racing this Sunday night, March 7,” confirmed Drew.

Both venues have boosted the prizemoney pool for drivers contesting both Simpson and Avalon rounds with a further $2,000 going to the driver with the best aggregate result from the two nights. $1,000 will go to the second placed driver with $500 for third and $250 for fourth with a further $250 going to the unluckiest driver over the course of the two nights.

South Australian Dylan Jenkin enters Sunday night’s Showdown in great form following his stunning win last weekend at Hamilton in round 7 of the Eureka Sprintcar Series while podium finishers from last weekend Ash Burke and Glen Sutherland are also among the entries for Sunday night.

Warrnambool’s Darren Mollenoyux will make a rare appearance after scaling back his racing this season as will Albury ace Grant Anderson while Mount Gambier’s Steven Lines returns to the venue where he captured the Fireball Derby win in December.

Formula 500’s are also on the program as they contest the fifth round of their Stampede Series while the V8 Dirt Modifieds are also set to appear.

Public gates open at 3pm this Sunday night while the main racing program will begin at the usual time of 7pm. Sprintcar engine starts and hot laps will take place from approximately 6pm.

Admission:
Adults $25
Concession $20
Child 12-16 $10
Child 5-11 $5
Child Under 5 Free

Next Event – Saturday March 20th - AMCA Nationals, Junior Sedans, Street Stocks

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

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

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