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The big bangers are back, with the Kerrick Queensland Sports Sedans set to tear up Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick next weekend as a part of the Shannons Nationals program, with the best quality field seen in Queensland for many years.
A total of 22 nominations have been received, comprising a dozen roaring V8s, four wailing rotary powered machines, and six four-cylinder screamers.
Sports Sedans are amongst some of the wildest race cars in Australia, with free rules allowing for massive styling and drive-train modifications, with a wide variety of chassis and engine combinations capable of taking victory.
Chris Donnelly, the President of the Queensland Racing Drivers Association, the driving force behind the Queensland Sports Sedan scene, is excited at the prospect of such a strong field competing at the provincial Darling Downs circuit.
“The Shannons Nationals is the highest profile meeting we have the opportunity to compete at locally, and the Sports Sedans really wanted to be a part of it and support the series and the Morgan Park circuit,” said Donnelly.
“I think a lot of guys will be using the weekend as a warm up for the upcoming national round at Oran Park, and it’s great to have so many national level guys coming out for the event.
“It’s fantastic to have Kerrick Queensland on board for the meeting, and I’m certain the Queensland Sports Sedans will be one of the star attractions on the weekend.”
Many national standard competitors will be taking to the track, including five-time national champion Kerry Baily in his fire breathing Nissan 300ZX-Chevrolet, as well as Phil Crompton (Ford Mustang) and Trent Young (Mazda RX7).
Shane Bradford will be debuting his new Trans-Am spec Chevrolet Camaro, joining the leading local regulars including Morgan Park lap record holder Bob McLoughlin (Holden Commodore), Colin Smith (Rover Vitesse), Donnelly in his Ford Falcon, and the world’s only rear wheel drive V8 powered Mitsubishi Magna race car in the hands of veteran touring car ace John English.
Other V8 propelled machines looking to make an impression will include the Ford Capris of Stuart Maxwell and Glenn White, Gary Leaton’s Holden Monaro and Cameron Maxwell’s Holden Commodore.
Paul Hibberd has been hard at work re-engineering his wild Datsun 1000, now with rotary 20B power, and will be joined by Luke Marinelli aboard Mal Thomas’s Mazda RX7, Robert Coutts having a guest drive in Shane Bradford’s Mazda 323, and debutant Frank Mascadri in a Mazda RX7.
The four cylinder set won’t be there to make up the numbers, with the tight Morgan Park Raceway layout favouring the light and nimble machines.
Keep an eye out for Damien Croston and Tony Cox’s Geminis, Gary Goulding’s Ford Escort, Sam Taylor’s Ford Laser, Dennis Rigon’s Subaru WRX and Craig Neilsen’s Mitsubishi Starion.
The Kerrick Queensland Sports Sedans will hit the track for four races over the weekend, culminating in a 15 lap race on Sunday afternoon.
Kerrick Queensland Sports Sedans
Weekend Timetable
Friday August 7
Practice 1- 10:35am 20 minutes
Practice 2- 2:00pm 20 minutes
Saturday August 8
Practice 3- 8:20am 20 minutes
Qualifying 1- 11:10am 20 minutes
Race 1- 3:20pm 8 laps
Sunday August 9
Race 2- 8:50am 8 laps
Race 3- 11:00am 8 laps
Race 4- 3:05pm 15 laps
For more information on the Queensland Sports Sedans, visit www.qrda.asn.au.
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