With the 2018-19 season almost at an end, a stout list of drivers are gearing up to close their campaigns with a bang during this Saturday night’s Childs Earthmover Tyre Service Australian Lightning Sprint Title at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway.
Bolstered by some strong support from local businesses, the Childs Earthmover Tyre Service Australian Title has attracted a formidable field of contenders, including defending champion Chris Davis (NSW), who will be looking for a repeat performance of last season’s running of the event.
One of the hot favourites who will be sure to take the fight to Davis will be Jason Rae (Qld), who has well and truly proven his ability in title events so far this season, earning the first place silverware in both the Queensland and NSW Titles, while Danny Stone (NSW) has also tasted major success, coming out on top in the Victorian Title.
A two-time Australian Champion in the form of Dave Fanning (Qld) will be amongst the battle, with Fanning making a cameo appearance aboard the Donny Robertson-owned Qld # 26 car. Another former two-time Australian Champion in Kurt Wilson (NSW), who passed the mantle to Davis last season, will be one to watch, knowing exactly what it takes to win the event.
Following an impressive Silver Cup defence earlier in the season, veteran driver Keith Blatch (Qld) has been in solid form and will be looking to utilise his experience to go one better this time around, after coming home in the runner-up spot during last season’s Australian Title.
Competitive Queensland-based youngsters Jayden Iacono, who placed third overall in the Silver Cup, and Tyler Stralow, who came home third in the Queensland Title, will be looking for another memorable result come Saturday night.
The remaining New South Wales contingent will be led by multiple NSW Champion and current Australia # 3 AJ McTaggart as he looks to bag the one that got away. Last season’s Australian B Grade Champion Pete Styles has his car back on song, and returning driver Scott Moir is rallying to participate in the event off the back of a tough season to date.
Queensland will be strongly represented by David Van Vegchel, Andrew Sparks, Michael Gollagher Jason George, Robert Holmes, Jim Kennedy, Ben Wright and impressive newcomer Scott Jukes.
Hot off the press, a late substitution has also given Formula 500 driver James Kennedy a chance to throw his hat in the ring, with former Queensland Champion Sean Iacono has been forced to withdraw himself due to injury.
This season’s Childs Earthmover Tyre Service Australian Title will see drivers contest three heat races each, followed by the pole shuffle and the 25-lap Australian Title-deciding feature race.
The Australian Lightning Sprints Association would like to thank naming rights sponsor Childs Earthmover Tyre Service for their support of the 38th annual Australian Title.
In addition to the naming rights sponsor, Australian Lightning Sprints would also like to thank the following event sponsors: Sebuild (Top Qualifier Award), Stockmans Civil & Plant (Hard Charger Award), and MP Heavy Diesel (First B Grader Award), along with the heat-race sponsors listed below:
Accountplan
Weller Motorsports & Mechanical
Jettco Developments
Tekserv Contracting
Shock Absorber Therapy
Starwest Drilling
Stockmans Civil & Plant
Alberts Earthmoving
To find out more about the Childs Earthmover Tyre Service Australian Lightning Sprint Title, join the Facebook group by searching Australian Lightning Sprints.
2019 Childs Earthmover Tyre Service Australian Title Nominations:
A1 Chris Davis
N3 AJ McTaggart
Q3 Michael Gollagher
N11 Scott Moir
Q14 Jason George
Q16 Kurt Wilson
Q18 Robert Holmes
Q20 Jayden Iacono
Q21 James Kennedy
Q26 Dave Fanning
Q34 Scott Jukes
N45 Pete Styles
N47 Danny Stone
Q48 David Van Vegchel
Q51 Tyler Stralow
Q73 Jim Kennedy
Q77 Keith Blatch
Q85 Jason Rae
Q94 Andrew Sparks
Q95 Ben Wright
