The Kerrick Sports Sedan Nationals Series are gearing up for the start of their 2010 season with the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships series opener at Wakefield Park next weekend, March 6-7.
With two new classes, the largest field of competitors ever seen at the first round of a Sports Sedans’ season and all five rounds being run with the Shannons Nationals, 2010 is shaping up to be a massive year for Australia’s fastest saloon racing cars.
Wakefield Park will be the inaugural round of the Heavy Metal class (HM), seen as a ‘feeder’ class for the S1 sports sedans and catering purely for full bodied sedans, whilst the new S2 class, for under 3500cc vehicles, will provide some close racing behind the leading pack.
With 25 confirmed entries across all three classes, the Sports Sedans season opener is guaranteed to provide plenty of quality racing action on the Wakefield Park track.
Heading the list of Sports Sedans S1 entrants is 2009 Champion, Des Wall from NSW in his immaculate C6 Corvette. Wall will have a challenge on his hands this year, with past champions Darren Hossack and his John Gourlay built and maintained Audi A4, and Kerry Baily with his Nissan 3000ZX both confirmed entrants for the 2010 season.
The Heavy Metal class will be closely fought out at Wakefield Park between a small field of three competitors – Sam Silvestro (2.6 litre turbo Mazda RX7) from New South Wales, Queensland’s Gary Leaton (6 litre Monaro) and Daniel Natoli (5 litre Mitsubishi Magna V8).
Competing in the S2 class at Wakefield Park will be Damien Johnson and Paul Hibberd. Johnson, from Melbourne, is a seasoned campaigner with his 3.3 litre Torana whilst Hibberd is keen to hit the track in his 3.4 litre Datsun 1000.
Kerrick Sports Sedans series manager, Phil Crompton is excited about the upcoming season.
“The high number of entries received for the season opener is really pleasing, as it is against the overall motorsport trend that has struggled for numbers since the global financial crisis,” he said.
“This can be attributed to a number of reasons including a solid sponsor in Kerrick Industrial Equipment, continued support from the Shannons Nationals as well as our management team working hard to ensure all entrants are informed and motivated.”
“The new classes also provide an opportunity for new and up-and-coming teams to step up from local competitions and compete for something more substantial,” he added.
The Sports Sedans have also added an extra event to the Wakefield Park schedule – the PPG Gearbox Dash for Cash. Open to the top six drivers from qualifying, the Dash for Cash utilises a four lap, reverse grid, single-file start and is not eligible for series points, with prize-money being awarded to the first three drivers.
Joining the Kerrick Sports Sedans at the Shannons Nationals season opener will be the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Commodore Cup and the Mazda MX5s.
On-track action starts at 10am on Saturday 6 March, with three races on Saturday afternoon before a full program of racing from 10am on Sunday.
Tickets for the bumper weekend of racing are just $15 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday, while a weekend pass is available for $35 and kids under 15 are free.
For further information on the 2010 Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships, visit www.thenationals.com.au.
