IT may have been several years since V8 Supercars turned laps in anger at Wakefield Park, but the roar of V8s will return this weekend as part of a blockbuster Shannons Nationals meeting.
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The Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series, one of five categories on the program, is home to cars that formerly raced in the V8 Supercars Championship and V8 Development Series, which last visited Wakefield Park in 2008.
Punters can be expected to witness a classic Ford versus Holden stoush this weekend. Ford driver Ryan Simpson currently leads the standings by just three points from Holden pilot Justin Ruggier, who has form on board heading into the meeting.
Ruggier’s last visit to the Goulburn circuit was during the Wakefield 300 in March, a race where he teamed up with Mark Mackay and Ray Vandersee to win his class and set a new lap record.
Meanwhile, Ruggier’s Eggleston Motorsport VZ Commodore won the Wakefield Park V8 Development Series round in 2007, in the hands of Tony D’Alberto.
“It’s a car with great history, and I’ve done more laps at Wakefield Park than any other track the Kumho Series has visited this year,” Ruggier said.
“It’s only my first year in the series, so to be within three points of the lead is a great position, especially up against someone like Ryan who has achieved so much in so many forms of motorsport.”
Like many aspiring racers, Ruggier achieved a lot of success in go-karts but has also built a formidable reputation in online simulator racing. The highlight of Ruggier’s sim racing career was the 2007 World Challenge. After beating his Australian rivals in a Sydney semi-final, Ruggier was flown to Valencia where he took on finalists from all over the world.
Ruggier proved more than a match for his overseas opponents and landed a plum simulator experience alongside Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg.
“The sim racing has really helped me promote myself to a wide audience, and with modern technology they have become quite realistic, especially for helping you learn new tracks,” Ruggier said.
“Sim racing still doesn’t prepare you for the heat, G-force or radio communication with your engineer though.”
Among the other categories, the Australian Sports Racer series will go down to the wire with the conclusion of an epic championship-long battle between the two fastest drivers of the year.
Sydneysider Adam Proctor and Adelaide driver Roger I’Anson have each won two rounds this year with I’Anson leading Proctor by one solitary point ahead of three races at Wakefield Park this weekend.
While I’Anson leads, the defending champion is on the attack heading into the final round after several massive battles between the pair this year.
Meanwhile, a 19-car Australian Formula Ford series field will head to Wakefield this weekend for the first national round at the circuit since 2008.
James Golding (Spectrum) leads the standings by 20 points over Queenslander Jordan Lloyd (Mygale) and Hamish Hardeman (Mygale) ahead of what could be a critical round in the series context. Both drivers contested September’s NSW State Formula Ford round at Wakefield Park, with Golding coming out on top.
Victorian Holden Commodore drivers Gavin Ross and Travis Lindorff will battle for the Dial Before You Dig Australian Super 6 Touring Car Series, for six-cylinder Falcons and Commodores.
The pair are split by 33 points heading into the finale this weekend but will have to deal with a bumper 22-car field in the process.
Ben Grice, son of Australian Touring Car legend Allan, switches from Ford to Holden for the final round while former class race winner and V8 ace Tony Evangelou makes a comeback in the car Grice has driven to this point in the season.
The Australian Manufacturers Championship will also conclude its season at Wakefield Park, with a pair of 200km enduros. Front-runners are likely to include the Garry Holt/Stuart Kostera Mitsubishi Evo X, Beric Lynton BMW 1M and two-car Sherrin BMW 135i team.
