The 2013/14 West Australian Formula 500 Season kicks off this Saturday night at the Perth Motorplex, Kwinana Beach, and with large car counts expected all season due to the running of the Australian Formula 500 Championships on March 14 and 15th at the world class venue, the action is sure to be edge of your seat stuff!

Eleven rounds will be held on the high banks of the Motorplex, two of which will be part of the nine round West Coast Series. As has been the case over the last few years, the division will also once again travel across Western Australia in the hope of tasting West Coast Series Championship success.

The usual suspects are expected to be at the pointy end of the field again this season, with most of them nominated for this Saturday's Grand Opening Showdown.

Last season’s Best & Fairest and current West Australian Champion Andrew Priolo will be a hard man to beat. The Mac Projects driver has purchased the latest in F500 technology and is looking forward to the challenge of retaining his title in Kalgoorlie on 21st/22nd March, as well as defending his Motorplex track championship this summer.
Former champ Steven Ellement ran a limited campaign due to work commitments last season, but is penciled in to contest majority of the 2013/14 season, including nominating for this weekends action, as has former Australian Champion Matt Brown. Brown had a season he would rather forget and is looking for redemption in 2013/14, meaning the seasoned campaigner will be one to watch.

West Coast Series Champion Mark 'Houseman' House has not nominated for the opening meeting of the season, but will surely be a man on a mission as he chases his way to the front of the pack looking for championship glory.
The 'Italian Stallion' Jason Priolo makes a welcome return to racing teaming up with quiet achiever Brock Nanovich in the two car Multi Scaffold Racing entries. The team held a very professional launch in the off season and also had a good hitout last Friday night at the Motorplex, so both will be looking to stamp their authority on the 2013/14 season.

Craig Bottrell in the #15 Empire Graphics entry had a consistent season resulting in a front row start at last season’s West Australian Title. He spent the off season racing at Kellerberrin Speedway with some impressive car speed and on his night Bottrell will be a hard man to beat. Also doing plenty of winter racing was Bunny Burrowes race winner Thomas Davies, who will certainly be on the pace. Davies topped the PTQCC points and in a TV interview leading up to the Bunny Burrowes, Davies said he had aspirations to one day race in the World of Outlaws. This young gun will be one to watch!

Rookie of the Year, Troy Johnson, in the #95 Johnson Motorsports entry will be looking to build on a successful debut season in his brand new PM, while this years rookies including Chanelle Condren (as part of a two car assault with brother Brendan Condren under the Jason Pryde Motorport banner) and Brooke-louise Sharpe will be looking to perform well in their first season.

Throw in the likes of Chris Dymock, the returning Brad Warwick and Steven Gay, Matt Higgs, Graham Terry and former Wingless Sprint Star Adrian La Macchia and this meeting is sure to be a cracker, let alone the rest of the season when all the stars come out to play. The quality of competition is unbelievable and we are sure to see some amazing races throughout the year.

This weekends racing will see the Formula’s compete in four eight lap heat races (two per driver), before a fifteen lap feature. Who will take it out? Well, that’s anyone’s guess. You’ll need to be there this Saturday night to find out!

Official Nominations for the Grand Opening Showdown

Total Car Count – 33
1 Andrew Priolo
2 Steven Ellement
3 Chris Dymock
4 Matt Brown
7 Matt Higgs
15 Craig Bottrell
19 Steven Gay
21 Ricky Drew
23 Gavin Connelly
27 Peter Blight
29 Thomas Davies
30 Jai Dillon
32 Trystan Caley
45 Adrian Fogliani
46 Graham Terry
49 Glenn Carstairs
51 Chanelle Condren
60 Adrian La Macchia
65 Brad Pages
66 Jamie Pages
69 Brendan Condren
71 David Carstairs
72 Brett Janssen
73 Jeff Ross
75 Jeff Prentis
77 Brock Nanovich
81 Jason Priolo
83 Jeremy Saffin
91 Brad Warwick
92 Aaron Fullgrabe
95 Troy Johnson
98 Warwick Bussenschutt
138 Brooke-louise Sharpe