Friday, September 29, 2017
MMS
The off-season break has come to an end and it is time to go racing again this Saturday night (September 30) with the opening event on the 2017/18 Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway season calendar. The first night of competition will feature six racing categories with the headline sections being the Wingless Sprints, the flying Formula 500’s and the crowd-pleasing Street Stocks.

Over the past month the venue has hosted a couple of pre-season practice sessions with the practices being well attended but the competitor numbers are set to increase this weekend with as they race for the first feature event win of the year in round 1 of the Track Championship.

The Wingless Sprints will see a field of 13 competitors with drivers from across South Australia and Victoria. After looking extremely impressive at the practice sessions the likes of William Caruso, Aaron Doe, Anthony Tapley and Spen Taylor will enter the event as favourites but the Victorian contingent of Mick Rigby, Michael McDonald, Jason Bolitho and Peter Logue will be out to upset the locals. Mount Gambier’s Trent Gravestock will also be a driver to watch as he was very quick last season.

The Formula 500's has attracted a good field with 15 cars expected to compete. The list includes several Victorians who are eager to get some early season laps prior to their season getting underway but they will have a tough time beating the likes of Patrick Merrett, Brad Stell, Lachlan Cates, Ross Miller and Richard Schmidt.

The final headline section, the Street Stocks, will also provide a strong field of 22 competitors including Australian Champion Rhys Heinrich, former National Champion Anthony Beare, Track Champion Nigel Reichstein, Matt Maynard, Jayden Edwards, Darren Flatman, Paul Hayes, Cade Cox, Craig Buchanan and Victorian standout Mick Clark.

The remaining categories on the program include Junior Sedans, Modlites and AMCA Nationals. Speedcars, that were previously advertised have been cancelled.

Gates open 2pm with action from 4pm Adults $20, Pensioners $15, Kids (age 13-15 yr old) $15, Family Pass (2 Adults and 2 Children) $60 Kids 12 & Under FREE. Upgrades in the new turn one corporate area are available along with seats in the Ross Wright VIP Function Centre in turn four. Public gates open at 2.00pm Action starts from 4.00pm. Tickets are now available at www.speedwaytickets.com.au. Phone: (08) 8532 1150 Kennett Rd Bridge East SA 5253.

Murray Bridge Speedway…. It’s Your Speedway SA!
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Thursday, September 21, 2017
Brisbane Formula 500 Club
Liam Williams was unstoppable in Saturday night’s season-opening Formula 500 event at Brisbane’s Ausdeck Patios Archerfield Speedway, winning both his heats and 15-lap final. Home in second spot was Kristin Brown, with James Kennedy finishing third.

Heat racing saw Williams claim two wins, while former Junior racer Nick Hodges claimed the other to record his first race win in the senior ranks. Other stand-out drivers in heat race action were Marshall Lewis, James Kennedy, Kristin Brown and Piper Ogilvie.

The feature race got under way with Williams jumping to an early lead, followed by Kennedy as Brown quickly claimed third from Hodges, who started on the outside front row. The only caution of the race came on lap three for a spinning Vicki Canfield. After the restart, Graham Williams continued his charge through the pack that carried him to fourth, closely followed by Piper Ogilvie and Marshall Lewis. Adrian Farrell, impressive rookie Mitchell Whittaker also greeted the chequer on the lead lap, with NSW’s Royden Alcon , Royce Harvey, Tony Bailey, Paul Chaffey and Vicki Canfield completing the finishers.

Ryan McNamara had a night to forget after looking strong in heat one. He failed to finish heat two and the feature race after encountering mechanical issues.

Bodie Smith dominated the Formula 500 Junior events, winning all four heats. Brodie Davis from Cairns produced some good performances, as did Trent Vardy, Tarhlea Apelt and Nick Whell. Newcomers to the Junior ranks in Taylor Prosser and Jy Corbet both produced plenty of pace on their opening night.

The next race meeting for both Juniors and Senior Formula 500’s will be the opening round of the 2017/2018 KRE Formula 500 Championship Series at Hi-Tec Oils Speedway (Toowoomba) this Saturday night (September 23).

The Brisbane Formula 500 Club would like to thank KRE Race Engines and Myla Graphics for the continued support. ... Read
 

Monday, August 28, 2017
NT Formula 500's
The Northern Territory State title was held over the weekend at Northline Speedway, Darwin.
Results -
PIC No. Name
1 V31 Chris Bellman
2 V22 Dion Bellman
3 NT 7 Hayden Brown
4 V95 Jack Bell
5 V15 Leigh Van Ginneken
6 NT69 Cori Jackson
7 NT13 Nathan Pronger
8 NT56 Cameron Jaenke
9 NT11 Boysie Bartholdtt
10 NT80 John Staynoff
11 NT51 Daniel White
12 NT9 Brad Smith
13 NT44 Mark Tattingham
14 NT18 Ellie Hills
DNF NT61 Joseph Baronet
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Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Redline Media
Despite Sprintcar racer Darren Mollenoyux recently selling his Swift Industries House Formula 500, it certainly hasn’t gone far, being purchased by his nephew and Junior Formula 500 racer Brodie Davis’s parents.

Growing up in a family with a rich speedway history, Davis’s own speedway racing career was a natural progression, and is currently something that he has been looking to expand on.

Off the back of an impressive debut in Brisbane where he contested three shows with the Smith Bros Racing #77 team recently, the Cairns-based racer will once again head south in the 2017-18 season, with his family set to base their new Swift Industries house car, previously piloted by Warrnambool’s Jett Speed, with senior Formula 500s driver and family friend Ryan Skennar. The Swift will be powered by a Jettco Yamaha engine, which has been generously supplied to the team by Ryan’s father, Darryl Skennar.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be able to run the whole 2017-18 season in Brisbane in a new car, after having such a great time and a pleasing three shows at Archerfield Speedway this season,” said the 14-year-old racer, who will continue to race his Kawasaki powered FNQ # 39 Swift up north, as well as competing in the KA3 Senior Light class in go karts on the tar circuits.

“I have to say a big thanks to my family for all of their support, in particular Uncle Darren and Aunty Deanne, as well as Ryan (Skennar), who will be looking after the car in Brisbane throughout the season.

“I’m looking forward to some great racing in south-east Queensland, as well as the welcoming atmosphere that the Brisbane Formula 500 club and the other juniors have given us.”

For Davis’s next outing this season, the Junior Formula 500s will be supporting the third round of the Autobarn Cairns Stampede Series for seniors this Saturday night at Cairns International Speedway, along withcontesting the fourth round of the Australian Kart Championships in Emerald, Queensland on July 21-23.

Davis would like to thank the following 2016-17 season sponsors for their valued support: Swift Industries, Davis Transport, Norsafe Test & Tag, Jettco Developments, DC Mechanical Repairs, Kart City and Ryan Skennar Racing. He would also like to give special thanks to his mum and dad (Heidi and Scotty), and Darryl and Ryan Skennar.

To find out more about Davis and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Brodie Davis Racing.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Formula 500's WA
Club legend Johnny Andersson, having won three Australian Titles and podiuming eight more times, winning the WA Title six times, the NT Title once and 67 feature races at Claremont Speedway alone was next to be honored. The Formula 500 WA Club commissioned driver Jamie Nardini to create an awesome painting to present to Johnny in recognition of his recent induction into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame and Johnny was humbled to receive a standing ovation from the entire room as he collected his award.

Friday, June 2, 2017
Redline Media
While the off season has now arrived for the majority of the Australian speedway world, the 2017 season has just begun for Darwin’s Northline Speedway, and Victoria-based Van Ginneken twins, Tim and Leigh, will be making the most of the added track time, travelling to Darwin in August.

Despite having previously visited the Northern Territory for racing, with Tim placing second in the 2003 Northern Territory Junior Sedan Title and Leigh running seventh in the 2010 Australian Formula 500s Title, both at Alice Springs’ Arunga Park Speedway, it will be the first trip to Darwin for the Van Ginneken clan, with the brothers set to compete throughout the Chariots of Thunder Series: Tim in Sprintcars and Leigh in Formula 500s.

Commencing on the Saturday night of August 12 with the Make a Wish Cup, Tim will be competing in each of the five nights of racing which make up the Chariots of Thunder Series, followed by the Defend the Top End event on Friday, August 18. Returning to the track the following night (August 19), Tim will take part in the Pope 65 Bob Ekins Memorial race, before concluding his series campaign with the Northern Territory Sprintcar Title, which will be held over two nights on August 25-26.

“I’m looking really forward to heading up to Darwin in August, with the Chariots of Thunder Series being a great opportunity to pick up some added track time and experience prior to next season,” commented Tim, who last season finished runner-up in the Eureka Garages & Sheds Series point standings in what has been his sixth season in 410 Sprintcars.

“It’s been a fairly positive season, so I’m hoping to be able to build on that and potentially come away with a feature-race win.

“I have to give a big thanks to Harry Droste and the rest of the Droste family for allowing me to race their car while they’ll be in the United States, as well as Trevor from Anderson’s Bobcat Service for driving the truck up to Darwin for Leigh and myself.”

Having raced Formula 500s for the past decade, Leigh is looking forward to hitting the Darwin track aboard the Dutchman Performance powered CS9 machine, owned by New Zealand-based Australian Steven Hood.

Leigh’s Darwin campaign will consist of three outings, beginning with the Friday night of August 18. He will then return to the track on the Friday and Saturday nights of August 25-26.

The Van Ginneken team is currently on the lookout for a fuel sponsor to help with their Northern Territory trip. They’re welcoming any offers from businesses to do so, in return for becoming representatives of their brand and maximising their exposure.

Leigh would like to thank his sponsors, VG Build and Lethal Wings, for their continued support, along with giving special thanks to his Uncle Tony Van Ginneken from Dutchman Performance for building the Suzuki motors, and his car owner Steven Hood for all of his continued support and assistance, as well as travelling to Australia from his home in New Zealand to watch Leigh compete.

Tim would like to thank his 2016-17 season sponsors: Lowes Auto Repairs and South West Conveyancing, GJE, Novara, and VG Build. Special thanks go to his wife Brony and their kids Chase and Lexi, along with his crew Alex and Lindsay, his car owner Harry Droste and the rest of the Droste family, and Trevor from Anderson’s Bobcat Service.

To keep up to date with Tim and Leigh’s upcoming visit to the Northern Territory, LIKE them on Facebook by searching TVG Motorsport v36-v86-w56.

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Redline Media
Last Saturday night saw James Kennedy wrap up what has been a pleasing 2016-17 season in the best possible fashion, winning the final KRE F500 Championship Series round at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway.

Off the back of a promising debut last season, which saw him finish an impressive fifth in the Australian Title at Gunnedah Speedway, and runner-up in the Queensland Title at Cairns International Speedway, along with scoring numerous minor podium finishes in KRE F500 Championship Series rounds, Kennedy certainly stepped it up for the 2016-17 season.

Achieving his maiden feature-race win in a Championship Series round at the Archerfield Speedway earlier this season aboard his new Qld # 29 Barry’s Balustrading supported Yamaha R6-powered Stallard, Kennedy also managed to back up last season’s Queensland Title result with another runner-up finish, this time at Rockhampton’s Rocky Speedway. Proving his consistency and continuing his strong form, Saturday night saw the Brisbane-based racer culminate his season with another positive result.

Delivering a dominant performance in the final Championship Series round, Kennedy went through the entire night undefeated, winning both of his heat races and lining up in pole position alongside current and three-time Australian Champion Liam Williams, before going on to claim feature-race victory number two. The win was also enough to secure second place in the overall KRE F500 Championship Series point standings behind Williams.

“Last Saturday night’s win is definitely the most satisfying, having been able to achieve a clean sweep and qualify on pole position, before going up against the best driver in the country in Liam (Williams) and coming out on top,” expressed 20-year-old Kennedy, who this season participated in the Speedway Australia Rising Star program, which he believes to have been extremely beneficial to both his racing career and himself as a driver.

“It’s been a really great season for us overall and the new car has definitely played a big part in that. I’ve been able to get a lot more experience under my belt, as well as confidence, and that has been reflected in our results.”

Having previously spent six seasons in Junior Sedans, before spending one season on the sidelines, Kennedy then stepped into Formula 500s in the 2015-16 season, purchasing a 2012 Stallard chassis and displaying encouraging form from the outset.


With his regular 2016-17 season racing schedule now complete, Kennedy will now shift his focus towards the MAD Formula 500 Series, after recently receiving the opportunity to participate in the series with the Ryan Skennar Racing team, running their second Swift machine. The series takes place between Cairns International Speedway and Mareeba’s Kerribee Park Raceway. The series is set to commence on the Saturday night of June 10 at Cairns International Speedway.

For the 2017-18 season, Kennedy plans to contest a similar racing schedule, as well as contesting Speedweek Series throughout Victoria and also the Australian Title in the Northern Territory.

Kennedy would like to thank his 2016-17 season sponsor, Barry’s Balustrading, for their valued support. He would also like to give special thanks to his mum Kerry, his brother Jason, and Dave Fanning.

To find out more about Kennedy and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching James Kennedy Motorsport

Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Brisbane Formula 500 Club
In what was a chaotic feature race on Saturday night at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway, it was James Kennedy who outlasted his rivals to win the final KRE F500 Championship Series round, while Liam Williams’s runner-up finish was enough for him to take out the overall Championship point score.

Despite the turbulence of the feature race, which was shortened to 15 laps as a result of several stoppages, Kennedy was undeterred, achieving a clean sweep of the event, after being undefeated in both of his heat races and going on to take the feature-race win. However, a consistent performance from current and three-time Australian Champion Williams throughout the season saw him consolidate his points lead to claim the Championship Series crown ahead of Kennedy.

Lining up in pole position alongside Williams for the 15-lap feature race, Kennedy was in strong form from the outset, immediately taking the lead. Despite a number of attacks from Williams and third-placed Ryan Skennar, which saw the trio racing three-wide for a number of laps in the opening stages, Kennedy kept his composure, going on to greet the chequered flag in first by a narrow margin, with Williams quickly following him across the finish line.

Completing the podium in third was Kaydon Iverson, with Tristan Johnson and Kristin Brown rounding out the top-five finishers. Nathan Pronger, Glenn Morgan and Marshall Lewis were the only other finishers.

With over half of the 21-car field becoming involved in numerous incidents, all of which took place in the opening five laps, the crowded infield resembled more of a car yard. Skennar’s promising run was brought to a disappointing and premature end, along with Ryan McNamara, Garry Edwards, 410 Sprintcar regular Jayden Peacock, Piper Ogilvie, Randy Morgan, Nick Hodges, ex-Lightning Sprint racer Dion Prowse, Graham Williams, Tony Bailey, Bryn Upshall, Royce Harvey and Ethan Eyears (NSW).

With Kennedy being unstoppable in both of his earlier heat races, the remaining two heat-race wins went the way of Williams and Skennar.

The Brisbane Formula 500 Club is proudly supported by KRE Race Engines. To find out more about KRE Race Engines, visit www.kreraceengines.com.au or LIKE them on Facebook by searching KRE Race Engines. Associate supporters are Ian Boettcher Race Parts and Myla Graphics.

To keep up-to-date with everything regarding the Brisbane Formula 500 Club, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Brisbane Formula 500 Club.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Redline Media
It’s been an encouraging debut season in the Junior Formula 500 class for Tarhlea Apelt, who has gained a wealth of experience and remained consistently competitive throughout the 2016-17 season.

Having contested around 18 race meetings during her debut since joining the class at the beginning of the season, which is still very much an emerging class in the state of Queensland, 14 of which took place at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway, Apelt also competed in selected shows at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec Oils Speedway, Gatton’s Lockyer Valley Speedway and Rockhampton’s Rocky Speedway.

While Junior Formula 500s have been a learning curve for Apelt, who has a background in Junior Quarter Midgets, the 15-year-old Toowoomba-based racer has certainly held her own this season, having collected 10 heat-race wins and numerous minor podium finishes.

Closing what has been a pleasing season in the best possible manner, Apelt managed to rack up another victory last Saturday night, winning her opening heat race at Archerfield Speedway.

“It’s been a great debut season for us and I’m really enjoying racing in Junior Formula 500s with my family and being able to race against some of my friends,” expressed Apelt.

“Being able to pick up some wins has really given me a lot of added confidence and I have to say a big thanks to my parents (Leigh and Greg), along with team and sponsors for helping to make it all possible.”

Off the back of the experience she’s gained throughout her debut season, Apelt is looking forward to commencing her 2017-18 season, where she hopes to improve on her consistency as a front runner.

Apelt would also like to thank the following sponsors for their valued support throughout the 2016-17 season: Apelt Floors, GW Racing, Toowoomba Car Wreckers, Jak Industries, and The 2 Pak Studio - Toowoomba. Special thanks go to her mum and dad (Leigh and Greg), her younger sister Amity and her grandad Darryl, along with Peter Lack, Nathan Pronger, Dave Whell and Brad Gosney.

To find out more about Apelt and her team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Apelt Floors Motorsport.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Redline Media
The 2016-17 season has been a satisfying one for Glenn Carstairs, with the veteran racer’s consistency throughout each race meeting awarding him with a number of impressive results.

Recently winding up what was his sixth season with the class with a third-place finish in last Saturday night’s Bunny Burrowes Memorial at his home track, Narrogin Speedway, Carstairs reached new heights in 2016-17 season; a season which was highlighted with steering his Adam’s Performance prepared Yamaha R6 powered WA # 49 D1 machine to victory in the Western Australian Title at Manjimup Speedway, as well as winning the Perth Motorplex Track Championship. At the Perth Motorplex, he also set a new one-lap record for Formula 500s this season that had stood for nearly a decade

Contesting 15 shows in total, Carstairs remarkably managed to visit the podium in 11 of them, while also racking up five feature-race wins, four of which took place at the Perth Motorplex. His other four results include a fourth and sixth-place finish, a disappointing DNF in the Perth Motorplex season opener, due to a clutch failure while leading comfortably, and a disappointing Australian Title run.

“The 2016-17 season has been very positive for the most part, and we couldn’t have been happier to achieve our maiden state title in the class, as well as taking out the overall Perth Motorplex Track Championship,” commented 43-year-old Carstairs, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition of the central nervous system, seven years ago.

“We’ve really seen an improvement on our consistency this season, which is something we hope to continue into the 2017-18 season. I have to say a huge thank you to my family, my team and our sponsors for their continued support and dedication.”

Beginning his competitive racing career in Junior Sedans, as well as undergoing a brief stint in Formula 500s in the late 1980s, Carstairs, from Wandering in Western Australia, ran Limited Sprintcars for well over a decade, with his highlights in the class including winning multiple Far Western Championships and scoring a number of minor podium finishes in Western Australian Titles.

Being diagnosed with MS later prompted Carstairs’s decision to change classes, returning to Formula 500s, where his previous best result was finishing fifth in the 2014 Australian Title at the Perth Motorplex. Switching from a Hyper chassis to a D1 two seasons ago, Carstairs contested his first campaign on the East Coast last season, participating in the Speedweek Series in Victoria.

Carstairs would like to thank the following supporters: Concrete Mix and Supply, Carstairs Signs and Wandering Smash Repairs. He would also like to give special thanks to his brother and car owner Andrew, his cousin Steven, Rod, Dayan, his eldest brother David, his partner Sharron, his mum Marg, and aunty Elaine.

:: JUNIOR FORMULA 500s -Davis Continuing Family’s Legacy