THREE Goulburn speedway drivers are heading to Victoria for the National Production Sedan Title at the Wahgunyah Speedway, next Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28.
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Brothers Damien and Craig McAlister along with Darren Snowden will be driving their VY Commodores to the best of their ability, competing against about 60 other drivers from around Australia. At this stage it appears the only states that will not be represented are Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
All three cars are out of the Mick and Joe’s Discount Tyres stable and the they work on their cars together supporting each other off the track though their is substantial rivalry once they get behind the wheel.
They are no strangers to the fast Wahgunyah Speedway track which is one and a half times the length of Goulburn. Though this is the trio’s debut in the Australian Production Sedan Championship they have raced against many of the drivers on a the track before or on other long tracks around the country. Damien has been racing and preparing cars in various speedway sedan classes for about six years while Craig has five years experience. Darren has the most experience, being around speedway tracks for about 22 years on and off.
They will be heading down to Victoria on Wednesday and on Australia Day will undergo scrutineering and spend some time on the track testing and setting up their cars for the conditions.
“Each track is different so we have to spend time setting them up to suit the conditions,” Damien said.
“Sometimes the smallest adjustment can be the difference between winning and finishing out of the places or not making it through to the finals.
“We are racing against some of the country’s best dirt track sedan specialists. We intend racing as a team supporting each other on and off the track and ultimately setting our goal on making the finals.
“With all the spares we are taking we should almost be able to rebuild a car but we are aiming to keep them together and running well for the entire competition.”
Two of their rivals at Wahgunyah are off track friends Johnny Ralph #N49 and Keil Rosevear #N9 in the Alan May Holden( AMH) team. Johnny Ralph’s father, Mark and grandfather Warren both used to race sedan classes in Goulburn. Because Rosevear’s car and Snowden’s cars were both numbered 9 Snowden will change his cars number to #N39. The N indicates the state of origin. Also because of the number conflict Damien McAlister will be running #N33 while Craig retains his #N32.
Another Goulburn entry is Brent Croker #N51 in the Mine Main car no doubt he will be bringing his family along to help out in the pits. The Cokers have long time involvement with Goulburn Speedway and sedan racing.