With just fifteen days remaining until the 2013/14 Washpod Australian Formula 500 Championship begins, we are now releasing the nominations thick and fast!
Indeed, nominations have now closed (late nominations still accepted), but we have had a solid number of entries and today we will reveal another eight to take the total of revealed nominations to twenty four (for those drivers who have nominated already, don't worry, we have your nominations ready to announce in the coming days!)
Heading today's nominations is former Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian champion Charlie Brown. Also being a former National Junior Sedan Champion means that Brown knows better than most what it takes to be a champion despite still being quite a young man. Brown is certainly in form this season, claiming the Victorian Speedweek title earlier this year after winning the opening round at Mount Gambier, then coming third at Hamilton, second at Darlington and fifth at Simpson. He actually won the title by eight points over another of our title nominees, James Aranyosi. Brown is certainly in good form and it would be no surprise to see him finish the weekend on the podium.
Also in the field is another Queensland duo, the father son combination of Alan and Kaidon Iverson. Alan is thirty year veteran and like Brown is a former Queensland Formula 500 champion after winning the title in 2001. His son, twenty three year old Kaidon, won last seasons Queensland driver championship. Both will be looking for some good results over the title weekend.
Looking at some local nominations we see that Craig Bottrell in his familiar #15 machine has also nominated. The hard working proprietor of Empire Graphics and the son of former champion racer Rod Bottrell, Craig hasn't had the greatest season so far, despite showing great speed he has suffered numerous engine dramas. He will be hoping all the issues are behind him come title time so that he has a chance to race his way into a solid finishing position.
Todd Broadwood is another with a family history in the sport, with his father Bill Broadwood being a former four time WA Champion. Todd himself has shown a lot of speed and always has one of the best presented cars out on the track. With a bit of luck going his way, Todd is a real threat to some of the bigger name drivers.
Trystan Caley has also thrown his hat into the ring for a tilt at the title. He has shown some real speed this year, but nearly had it all come undone at the last meeting at the Motorplex when he blew a motor. Luckily fellow formula 500 racer Aaron Fullgrabe came to the rescue and Caley was back out the following night. He got everyone talking that night, but for the wrong reasons as he spectacularly drove along the wall. Rest assured he will be working overtime to get the car ready for the title weekend and should have a good showing if everything goes his way.
Despite recording a few DNF's and DNS's in the Perth Motorplex Track Championship lately, Jamie Pages is still holding down a solid top twenty position in the overall points score. He started off the year with some good results, including a good fifth place in one round, but has since been plagued with bad luck, including being caught up in a crash at the last round. Jamie has the car repaired and will be putting his bad luck behind him in his quest to have a solid title run.
Rounding out today's nomination list is Kalgoorlie driver Darren Lassey. Although he hasn't raced at the Motorplex this season so far, Lassey has competed locally at Kalgoorlie Speedway and garnered some good results, including a third place in the feature late last year. Lassey does a great job in promotion, with a well presented machine and may even have some of his posters left to hand out during the title.
So now we have some more questions. What will the final car count be? What other drivers are in the field? Stay tuned as we continue to announce the nominations over the next few days!
Release by DTN Media.
Released Nominations so far: 24 A1 Marcus Kelly 2 Steven Ellement 3 Chris Dymock Q7 Charlie Brown 7 Matt Higgs Q9 Brad Metcalfe 13 Darren Lassey 15 Craig Bottrell 17 Todd Broadwood 25 James Dawson 29 Thomas Davies 32 Trystan Caley 40 Ash Kent 49 Glenn Carstairs V50 James Aranyosi Q53 Kaidon Iverson 55 Adrian Haywood 66 Jamie Pages T69 Kristian Kelly 78 Brent Lockwood Q83 Allan Iverson 83 Jeremy Saffin 95 Troy Johnson 98 Warwick Bussenschutt
