46 Excels for Twilight Opener
A record number of Circuit Excel entries will take on Mallala Motorsport Park this Saturday for the first round of the Motorsport Australia Sporting Car Club of SA State Motor Racing Championship Series.
46 entries, including a handful of new competitors is an overwhelming achievement for the growing category despite missing the familiar faces of Wanzek, McGarry, Gardener and Vaughan as they take the step up to pursue higher motorsport goals.
To accommodate the large entry list, which exceeds track capacity, the category has opted for split grids in 2023 with competitors choosing between the State Championship & master’s class for anyone over the age of 30. Thirty competitors will race in the State Championship class which includes reigning Champion, Asher Johnston, and series contenders, Nick Scaife, Joel Johnson and Shayne Nowickyj who will be determined to challenge for race wins this season.
Youngers, Isaac Sparks and Riley Matherson have been working hard in the off-season on car development with consistent podium results the goal for both drivers. One of three females, Cass Hoare, is keen to bounce back from a difficult end to 2022 in a freshly built car while Aaron Oliver will be looking to pick up from where he left off in performance and results after two years away from the category.
In the masters class, front runners Misch Nowickyj and Ivan Vantagiato will be the ones to beat with new competitors of Jordan Johnston and Dale Annett using it as an opportunity to improve their skills. The split grid format has opened the doors for double entered vehicles and increased family participation with members from four individual families competing against eachother.
The weekend will also be a big test for ten South Australian competitors as they prepare for their trek to the Bathurst 6 Hour at Easter. The single day twilight event starts at 12:30pm local with qualifying and three races for each Circuit Excel class and the not to be missed, 12-lap finale under lights to round out the event.