A new season has led to new developments for 410 Sprintcar outfit Whyalla Earthworks Racing, with the Whyalla, South Australia-based team significantly bolstered ahead of their upcoming Chariots of Thunder campaign at Darwin’s Northline Speedway. 
Making their debut as the Whyalla Earthworks Racing team last season with guest drivers contesting selected race meetings, the team decided that it was time to ramp things up in terms of both their schedule and their equipment for their first full season.
Purchasing two brand new Cool Chassis and 410ci Maxwill Racing Engines in preparation for their impending campaign, team owners and father and son duo Geoff and Michael Brown got in touch with Matt Egel, pilot of the Downing Bros SA # 97 car owned by Darrel and Mike Downing and a sponsored driver of the Browns’ business Whyalla Earthworks, who enthusiastically agreed to join the team during their Chariots of Thunder crusade.
Not only has Egel previously proven that Northline Speedway is a happy hunting ground for him, having placed fourth during the 2010 Australian Championship aboard his family-owned car, while also displaying strong pace throughout last season’s Chariots of Thunder Series with the Downing Bros team, picking up a podium on night two despite not achieving his desired results, Egel has no doubt that the Whyalla Earthworks Racing team’s package will be a formidable one.
“I’ve spent the off season working with the Whyalla Earthworks Racing team to build up their Sprintcars and also fit out their new transporter using nothing but top quality parts and equipment, so it’s definitely going to be a strong package,” commented Egel, who is looking forward to steering the SA # 52 Northeast ISUZU / Whyalla Earthworks Cool Chassis the two series doubleheaders on August 16 and 17, and August 23 and 24.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back up to Darwin and I’m hoping to be able to build on last season’s performance and hopefully convert my pace into some positive results. I can’t thank Geoff and Michael enough for allowing me the opportunity to race their car and it’ll be great to see what we can achieve.”
With Egel returning to the Downing Bros car following the completion of the Chariots of Thunder Series, Whyalla Earthworks Racing will be in the market for a new driver to join their team.
“Right now we’re focused on the Chariots of Thunder and we’re excited to see what Matt can do with the car that he’s worked so tirelessly on,” said Michael.
“Heading into the rest of the season, we’ll be looking at a number of options in terms of a more permanent team driver. We’re looking forward to announcing our season schedule in the not too distant future.”
Prior to team ownership, Geoff and Michael Brown have each carved their own reputations in Australian speedway history, with Geoff being the long-time promoter of Whyalla’s Westline Speedway in addition to racing Super Sedans, while Michael has proven his versatility in numerous classes including Junior Sedans, AMCA Nationals, Super Sedans and Modlites.
Whyalla Earthworks Racing would like to thanks the following 2019-20 sponsors for their support:
Northeast ISUZU
Whyalla Earthworks
Taylormade Wings
Big Chief Hire
Territory Tyres
Specialised Tyre & Rubber Repairers
Showtime Signs
Maxwill Racing Engines
Chadwick Fabrication
Budget Car and Truck Rental
CBCH Crane Hire
