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The Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series is proudly supported by:
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NEWS...
ROOSTERS CUP FINALE THIS WEEKEND The Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series draws to a close this weekend with a huge two-night event at the Lismore Speedway on Easter Saturday & Sunday night. Lismore local Mark Robinson heads the series, with an 812-point leads over the second-placed David Clark. With wins in the previous two Series rounds, Robinson has one hand on the Roosters Cup trophy, although with double points on offer this weekend, the overall Series winner is far from certain. Clark, Mick Sauer and Gary Wathen are all within striking distance of Robinson, with the tight Lismore confines sure to produce some intense racing. Scott Cannon, Tony Sneddon, Trevor Blanch and Matt Ferry form a four-strong Newcastle/Sydney contingent, while newly crowned NSW Champ Matt Pascoe will be at the wheel of the Ray Klarich-owned Super Rooster Bicknell. 23 drivers have nominated for this weekends final Roosters Cup hitout, with each driver contesting two heat races and one of two 15-lap mini features on Saturday night. A huge BBQ will take place on the infield at the completion of Saturday night's racing, with the crowd encouraged to attend and check out the cars and their favourite driver. Sundays program will feature one heat per car, a B-Main (if required) and a 30-lap Feature race. The field includes: Mick Sauer, Matt Pascoe, Jai Stephenson, Matt Ferry, Kevin Britten, Murray Flay, David Clark, Keith Muller, Andrew Pezzutti, Mark Robinson, Alan Jarvis, Barry Ashen, Maurice Yardley, Paul Booker, Scott Cannon, Darren Latimer, Garry Wathen, Melissa Latimer, Brett Whitney, Michael Butcher, Phil McNamara, Tony Sneddon, Trevor Blanch. Roosters Cup Standings (After three of four rounds) 1st Mark Robinson 4894, 2nd David Clark 4082, 3rd Mick Sauer 3474, 4th Gary Wathen 2670, 5th Peter Britten 2228, 6th Keith Muller 2210, 7th Kevin Britten 2166, 8th Andrew Pezzutti 1848, 9th Luke Oldfield 1828, 10th Paul Booker 1814, 11th Tony Sneddon 1744, 12th Phil McNamara 1694, 13th Ray Klarich 1586, 14th Jai Stephenson 1548, 15th Pete Bicknell 1332, 16th Melissa Latimer 994, 17th Maurice Yardley 954, 18th Allan Jarvis 942, 19th Jim Mee 938, 20th Matt Ferry 858, 21st Barry Ashen 838, 22nd Brian Scott 772, 23rd Rian Collier 684, 24th Ricka Groom 640, 25th Peter Lack 636, 26th Lance Towns 634, 27th Murray Flay 552, 28th Andrew Drake 380, 29th Aiden Gee 366, 30th Nev Robertson 112, 31st Darren Latimer 56, 32nd Roy Embry 42, 33rd Kelvin Hamilton 24
ROBINSON LEADS ROOSTERS CUP FIELD INTO FINAL ROUND Mark Robinson has consolidated his points lead heading into the final round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series. The Roosters Cup Grand Final will be held over two nights this Easter at the Lismore Speedway (Easter Saturday & Sunday). With two round wins under his belt, Robinson sits atop the points tally on 4,894 points, 812 points clear of his closest challenger David Clark. Clark (4,082 points) finished runner-up to Robinson in the most recent Roosters Cup round in Toowoomba and has finished no worse than fourth so far this Series. Mick Sauer maintains his third place position with one round remaining, with the first-year V8 Dirt Modified racer no doubt looking for a solid finish to what has been a stellar Roosters Cup campaign to date. Gary Wathen & the absent Peter Britten complete a stout top five heading into the final two nights of Roosters Cup competition. Defending Roosters Cup Champ Andrew Pezzutti currently sits in 8th position, while fellow Series hope Luke Oldfield is 9th. Roosters Cup Standings (After three of four rounds) 1st Mark Robinson 4894, 2nd David Clark 4082, 3rd Mick Sauer 3474, 4th Gary Wathen 2670, 5th Peter Britten 2228, 6th Keith Muller 2210, 7th Kevin Britten 2166, 8th Andrew Pezzutti 1848, 9th Luke Oldfield 1828, 10th Paul Booker 1814, 11th Tony Sneddon 1744, 12th Phil McNamara 1694, 13th Ray Klarich 1586, 14th Jai Stephenson 1548, 15th Pete Bicknell 1332, 16th Melissa Latimer 994, 17th Maurice Yardley 954, 18th Allan Jarvis 942, 19th Jim Mee 938, 20th Matt Ferry 858, 21st Barry Ashen 838, 22nd Brian Scott 772, 23rd Rian Collier 684, 24th Ricka Groom 640, 25th Peter Lack 636, 26th Lance Towns 634, 27th Murray Flay 552, 28th Andrew Drake 380, 29th Aiden Gee 366, 30th Nev Robertson 112, 31st Darren Latimer 56, 32nd Roy Embry 42, 33rd Kelvin Hamilton 24
ROBINSON WINS ROUND THREE Mark Robinson has consolidated his position at the top of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series standings with victory in Round Three at Toowoomba's Charlton Speedway on Saturday night (Mar 13). After securing top qualifier honours at the completion of the preliminary heat races, a top-eight inversion would see Robinson charge from the fourth row to claim victory with just one round of the Series remaining. " The Teo's on fire" said an elated Robinson post-race. "We could run the top or run the bottom, we were just lucky some of the other cars were a bit loser than we were" " I knew he (Clark) was running up high so I just kept on running down low, giving him plenty of room, not trying to wash out on him. I just love racing like that when ones on the bottom, ones on the top, it really showcases our division" After two failed attempts at completing the opening lap, it was pole sitter David Clark who held down top spot in the early running, with Gary Wathen & Tony Sneddon both within striking distance. Robinson was on a charge early, moving past Stephenson and front-row starter Tony Sneddon to secure third with just eight laps completed. A little further back in the field, Luke Oldfield was working his way towards the front, moving into the top five by the half way point. As the leaders negotiated lapped traffic, Robinson moved past Wathen and into second with just ten laps remaining, while Oldfield also continued his charge towards the front, moving into third and chasing down Robinson. It was an impressive drive from Oldfield, who was campaigning Andrew Pezzutti's car on the night, with Pezzutti, the defending Roosters Cup Champion, away on business and unable to compete. The battle for the lead was intense, with Robinson applying the blowtorch to Clark, who appeared well on his way to victory. Unfortunately for Clark, the first mistake he made all night saw him momentarily drift high, allowing Robinson through and into the race lead. Robinson & Clark raced two-wide for several laps, allowing Oldfield to close the gap and steal second from Clark with a handful of laps to run, only for Clark to wrestle second back from Oldfield as the pair raced through lapped traffic. Jai Stephenson's hopes evaporated with just a few laps remaining, with a spin in turn 2 ultimately seeing the Grafton (NSW) charge finish 13th. Robinson remained in control over the closing laps, despite a concerted high-line challenge from Clark and a last-lap caution, going on to record his second Roosters Cup round win of the season, Clark held on for second, from Oldfield and Wathen, with Ray Klarich rounding out the top five. Earlier in the night, heat race wins went to Mick Sauer, Wathen, Keith Miller & Robinson. Contingency prizes went to Phil McNamara (Front tyre courtesy of GW Racing), Mick Sauer ($250 Quantum Racing Industries voucher), Tony Sneddon (12 month Inside Speedway Subscription) & Matt Ferry ($300 Ian Boettcher Race Parts voucher). The fourth and final round of the Roosters Cup Series will be contested on Easter Saturday & Easter Sunday nights (April 3 & 4) at the Lismore Speedway. ROOSTERS CUP ROUND THREE FEATURE RACE (30-LAPS) 1st Mark Robinson, 2nd David Clark, 3rd Luke Oldfield, 4th Gary Wathen, 5th Ray Klarich, 6th Kevin Britten, 7th Keith Muller, 8th Tony Sneddon, 9th Mick Sauer, 10th Phil McNamara, 11th Paul Booker, 12th Matt Ferry, 13th Jai Stephenson, 14th Melissa Latimer, 15th Murray Flay, DNF: Maurice Yardley.
ROBINSON WINS ROUND TWO Lismore's Mark Robinson came away with the victory spoils from the second round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series in Brisbane on Saturday night (Feb 27). With a dull roar in the background from the nearby AC/DC concert and an ever present threat of rain, Robinson advance past pole-sitter Mick Sauer on lap 13 and held on to the top spot for the remainder of the 30-lap main event. The win was Robinson's second podium finish in as many Roosters Cup rounds, having finished third in the Series opener earlier in the season. Andrew Pezzutti finished runner-up to Robinson, although it could easily have been a disastrous night for the defending Roosters Cup Series champion, who came perilously close to rolling his machine on the exit of turn three early in the race. Pezzutti, Sauer & Robinson were engaged in a tight contest for the top spot for much of the race, with the trio negotiating some dense lapped traffic at full noise. A restart with five laps to run put Pezzutti right on Robinson's tail, however despite a last-lap lunge in turn two he was unable to pull off the pass and would ultimately settle for second. Sauer's third-place finish continues his impressive rookie season in the V8 Dirt Modified ranks, with the AMCA graduate well in control of the Feature race for the first dozen laps. After slipping back to third, Sauer had his hands full in the second half of the race, holding out a determined David Clark. Clark would eventually finish fourth, but not before momentarily steeling third from Sauer with a handful of laps remaining. Keith Muller capped off a successful night with a fifth place finish, from Troyer duo Tony Sneddon & Jai Stephenson. Maurice Yardley, Paul Booker & Brian Scott rounded out the top ten. The race was just 4 laps old when disaster stuck for a number of the front-runners, with Gary Wathen, Peter Britten & Peter Lack all eliminated after a turn-two melee. It was an unfortunate end for Lack in particular, who was at the wheel of the Ray Klarich Super Rooster machine, and was equal top point scorer at the completion of qualifying. Disappointment also for Kevin Britten, with a flat left front tyre ending his Feature without a lap being recorded. The night also marked the competitive debut of Melissa Latimer, who was at the wheel of the second Latimer & Sons Transport Bicknell. Having qualified an impressive 12th after two rounds of heats, she went on to finish 12th in the main event. The next round of the Roosters Cup series will be held at Toowoomba's Charlton Speedway on March 13, with the fourth and final round to be staged over two huge nights at the Lismore Speedway on Easter Saturday & Sunday (April 3 & 4). ROOSTERS CUP ROUND TWO FEATURE RACE (30-LAPS) 1st Mark Robinson, 2nd Andrew Pezzutti, 3rd Mick Sauer, 4th David Clark, 5th Keith Muller, 6th Tony Sneddon, 7th Jai Stephenson, 8th Maurice Yardley, 9th Paul Booker, 10th Brian Scott, 11th Phil McNamara, 12th Melissa Latimer, 13th Murray Flay, DNF: Matt Ferry, Ricka Groom, Barry Ashen, Gary Wathen, Peter Britten, Peter Lack, Kevin Britten
BICKNELL WINS ROUND ONE Canadian driver Pete Bicknell put on a dominant display to take out the opening round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series at the Maryborough Speedway on Saturday night (Dec 19). After making heavy contact with the wall in his opening heat race, Bicknell advanced from the thirteenth starting position on his way to victory, holding out Australian Champ Peter Britten and Mark Robinson. " After the heat (crash) I figured I just better be careful and take my time" offered Bicknell post-race. " I could see where everybody was making their mistakes and I knew where my car was better. I could drive in so good underneath them and they were slipping up high so I just conserved and tried to keep on doing that" The race got off to an untidy start, with Luke Oldfield a lap one casualty after heavy contact on the back stretch. Pole-sitter Barry Ashen lead the field away only to be rounded up by Mark Robinson, who moved from third to first inside the opening lap. Robinson held the race lead for all but the remaining four laps, paying dearly for moving off the pole-line as he worked his way through dense lapped traffic as both Bicknell and Peter Britten moved to within striking distance. " We got to lapped cars and that's where it all fell to pieces" lamented Robinson. " I should have stayed at the bottom and not moved because nobody would have been going around the outside" The slick Maryborough surface offered little in the way of passing opportunities, with Bicknell showing his class by methodically picking off cars one at a time, yet still protecting his prime position low on the racetrack. " I knew as long as I didn't leave that bottom open there was no way he (Britten) could get by me. I made sure I slowed down in the corner and I know Peter's a good racer, he's not going to knock me out of the way so I knew I would be ok" Britten advanced underneath Robinson with three to go and appeared to be gaining on Bicknell only for the yellow flags to wave, setting up a two-lap dash to the finish. It mattered little however, with Bicknell going on to score what was an unlikely win after the damage sustained earlier in the night. " That last stoppage probably hurt me" said Britten. " I don't think I was every going to get past him in those last 2 laps out by ourselves but with lapped traffic, anything could have happened" David Clark put in yet another solid performance coming home in fourth position, while Kevin Britten scored his second top-five result of his rookie season. After a cautious start, AMCA graduate and top-qualifier Mick Sauer came home sixth, while Gary Wathen threw away his almost certain fourth-place finish with a spin with two laps to run, ultimately coming home in eleventh position. Jim Mee (7th), Rian Collier, (8th), Lance Towns (9th) and Allan Jarvis rounded out the top ten. B-Main winner Andrew Pezzutti endured a frustrating night, retiring after just seven laps following contact from another car, while Ray Klarich, Barry Ashen, Ricka Groom & Nev Robertson were all early retiree's from the main event. Earlier in the night, Heat race wins went to Ricka Groom, Luke Oldfield, Andrew Drake, Barry Ashen, Allan Jarvis and David Clark Kevin Britten took out the Encouragement Award and went home with a brand new tyre courtesy of G &W Racing, Lance Towns won a $300 voucher courtesy of Ian Boettcher Race Parts, Rian Collier won a $250 voucher at Quantum Racing Industries and Paul Booker was the recipient of a 12-month subscription to Inside Speedway magazine. The second round of the Roosters Cup Series will be held at the Brisbane International Speedway on February 27. Roosters Cup Round One Feature (30-laps) 1st Pete Bicknell, 2nd Peter Britten, 3rd Mark Robinson, 4th David Clark, 5th Kevin Britten, 6th Mick Sauer, 7th Jim Mee, 8th Rian Collier, 9th Lance Towns, 10th Allan Jarvis, 11th Gary Wathen, 12th Aiden Gee, 13th Paul Booker, 14th Phil McNamara, DNF: Barry Ashen, Ricka Groom, Andrew Pezzutti, Nev Robertson, Ray Klarich, Luke Oldfield.
HUGE FIELD FOR ROOSTERS CUP OPENER The 2009/10 Roosters Cup Series kicks off this Saturday night at the Maryborough Speedway, with a field of 29 V8 Dirt Modifieds set to do battle. Heading the list of nominations is Canadian visitor Pete Bicknell. A mainstay of small-block DIRT Modified racing in both Canada and the United States, Bicknell finished second in the 2009 Super DIRTcar Series (Small-block) and is the creator of the famed Bicknell chassis brand. Bicknell will be at the wheel of the Darren Latimer-owned Bicknell racecar for his one and only Australian racing commitment. Reigning Roosters Cup Champ Andrew Pezzutti returns to Maryborough this weekend, having finished third in the corresponding race last season. Engine woes have plagued Pezzutti in the early part of the season, with a strong result this weekend sure to put the teams season back on track. Mark Robinson, Luke Oldfield and Peter Britten will all be looking to add another victory to their season tally, with Robinson the most recent Feature winner in Brisbane. Indeed the Robinson-Britten-Oldfield rivalry has been strong so far this season, a rivalry that is set to intensify this Saturday night. Add to the mix a resurgent Gary Wathen, Ray Klarich, Darren Latimer, Andrew Drake and Mick Sauer just to name a few and the opening round of the Roosters Cup is shaping up to be an event not to be missed. The full field includes: Mick Sauer Maurice Yardley Ricka Groom Peter Britten Ray Klarich Paul Booker Jim Mee Jai Stevenson Matt Ferry Pete Bicknell Kevin Britten Rian Collier Garry Wathen Murray Flay Nev Robertson Luke Oldfield Kelvin Hamilton David Clark Aiden Gee Brian Scott Andrew Drake Allen Jarvis Lance Towns Phil MacNamara Darren Latimer Roy Embrey Mark Robinson Andrew Pezzutti Barry Ashen
PETE BICKNELL TO CONTEST OPENING ROOSTERS CUP ROUND In what is huge news for the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series, it has been confirmed that Canadian driver Pete Bicknell will be competing in the opening round of the Series in Maryborough on December 19. Pete Bicknell, of Bicknell Racing Products fame, is one of the most accomplished small-block (358 cubic inch) racers in North America and his addition to the Maryborough round will add plenty of interest to a Series which has also attracted record levels of support from local drivers. Bicknell will be campaigning one of the two Bicknell race cars of Queensland hard charger Darren Latimer. For more information on the Roosters Cup Series, visit the website at www.roosterscup.com.au
SPONSORS LINE UP TO SUPPORT ROOSTERS CUP The 2009/10 Roosters Cup Series is fast shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with an impressive array of sponsors keen to throw their support behind the Series. Over $30,000 in cash and prizes will be given away in this season's Roosters Cup Series, which kicks off in Maryborough on December 19. "All the sponsors have seen the potential in the Series" said Roosters Cup organiser Ray Klarich. "We didn't really have to chase anybody and I am happy to say that all of our supporters from last season are back on board plus we have a few more" The four-round Roosters Cup Series will be contested in Maryborough (Dec 19), Brisbane (Feb 27), Toowoomba (March 13) and Lismore (April 3 & 4). "The most exciting thing this year is the big two-night finale in Lismore" said Klarich. "We are going to run mini-features on the first night so it will be a similar format to the King of the Ring race held in Maryborough the past few years" "Sponsor wise, we have Golden Cockerel back with us for the fourth year in a row, Super Rooster are behind the Series, we have Latimer & Sons Transport who have jumped on board this season, Keith-4-Wheels have come on board as a major sponsor, Quantum Racing Industries and Ian Boettcher Race Parts are again putting up $300 vouchers each night, GW Racing are donating a steer tyre for the first division 2 car home each night and Inside Speedway Magazine have offered a 12-month magazine subscription to be won at each round. Its incredible the support we have received" said Klarich. "And the beauty of the $300 vouchers from Quantum Racing Industries and Ian Boettcher Race Parts, and the Inside Speedway subscriptions, is that they are drawn out of a hat from the drivers who finish fourth and back. So even if you finish dead last your still going to go home with a bit of prize money and possibly a $300 voucher or magazine subscription." For more information on the Roosters Cup Series, please visit the Roosters Cup website, www.roosterscup.com.au
ROOSTERS CUP BACK BIGGER & BETTER * UPDATED 17 AUGUST- 30 DRIVERS TO SUPPORT ROOSTERS CUP* The 2009/10 Roosters Cup Series is shaping up to be the best yet, with solid support from drivers, sponsors and venues. After putting out the call for expressions of interest from drivers last month, Series organiser Ray Klarich is happy with the level of interest from competitors some five months out from the opening round. " So far we have had 26 drivers put up their hands and say they will support the Series" confirmed Klarich. " There might be some who can't do every round, but if we can get the majority of those 26 guys, plus a few more who haven't committed yet, then we will have a great Series". Klarich is also able to confirm the dates for this season's Series, which will culminate in a huge two-night event in Lismore. " Round One is in Maryborough on December 19, Round Two will be in Brisbane on February 27 and the third round will be in Toowoomba on March 13. The grand final will be in Lismore over 2 nights, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday (April 3 & 4)" The Roosters Cup Series will once again have a healthy level of support from sponsors, with Super Rooster, Golden Cockerel, G & W Racing, Latimer & Sons Transport, Keith-4-Wheels, Ian Boettcher Race Parts and Quantum Racing Industries all throwing their weight behind the Roosters Cup. Drivers who have indicated their support of the Roosters Cup in 2009/10 are:
Keith Muller
ROOSTERS CUP NEEDS YOU! V8 Dirt Modified drivers- The Roosters Cup series needs YOU! The 2009/10 Roosters Cup Series is currently being formulated and expressions on interest are being sought from drivers willing to contest a four-round Roosters Cup series this coming season. Although dates are not yet finalised, it is expected that rounds will be held in Lismore, Brisbane, Maryborough & Toowoomba. Drivers who are interested in contesting all four rounds are asked to call either Ray Klarich (0418 922 322), Gary Wathen (0411 558 375), Mark Oldfield (0438 312 600), David Conlin (0414 505 254) or email ray@roosterscup.com.au. Drivers are asked to register their interest by July 14. " I need to hear from anybody who is willing to commit to the Series" said Klarich. " We are talking to Promoters now and I would really like to be able to tell them which drivers they can expect to see at their track. The more cars we can produce every round the better off everybody will be" " We have great racing, but what we need are drivers who are willing to put their hand up at this early stage and commit to each of the Roosters Cup rounds" If your name appears on the list below, you are urged to contact organisers to indicate if you are able to support the Series. Naturally, driver's who do not appear below are also welcome to support the Roosters Cup. QLD Keith Muller Andrew Pezzutti
PEZZUTTI TAKES OUT ROOSTERS CUP Andrew Pezzutti has taken out the 2009 Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series, with a pair of podium finishes enough to secure him overall top honours. Brainchild of Toowoomba V8 Dirt Modified ace Ray Klarich, this season’s Roosters Cup was eagerly awaited after a well received inaugural tournament in 2008. However mother nature played havoc with the schedule, with the three-round contest reduced to just two rounds after several rain-outs. Even rain-out dates were rained out! “The rain certainly didn’t do us any favours” said Klarich. “But the support from the drivers was good and we put on some pretty good racing for the crowds. We had the best drivers in the country come and race in the Roosters Cup and I think the racing we put on is up there with the best you will see anywhere” Pezzutti finished third behind winner Darren Latimer and American visitor Jimmy Phelps in the opening round in Maryborough and again found the podium (second) in the final round in Toowoomba. Australian Champ Peter Britten was the victor on that occasion. The Series’ third and final round was originally scheduled for the Lismore Speedway but was rained out twice an was unable to be rescheduled. Keith Muller was well-rewarded with second overall in the Series standings, with Britten rounding out the top three. With season 2008/09 now over, all attention has turned to the 2010 Roosters Cup Series. “We’ve got a number of tracks who are interested in running Roosters Cup rounds next season” confirmed Klarich. “I’d really like to thank the tracks who supported us this season; Maryborough, Toowoomba and Lismore, and particularly Lismore and Toowoomba who were rain effected. Hopefully we’ll have a better run with the weather next season and can build on the success of the first two Series” Roosters Cup Final Top 10 Standings 1st Andrew Pezzutti 2nd Keith Muller 3rd Peter Britten 4th Darren Latimer 5th Phil McNamara 6th Jai Stephenson 7th Ricky Robinson 8th Rian Collier 9th Paul Booker 10th David Clark
LISMORE POSTPONED YET AGAIN The second round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series has been postponed for the second consecutive weekend due to wet weather.
Meanwhile, drivers are encouraged to nominate for the next round of the Roosters Cup Series, to be held at Toowoomba's Charlton Raceway on April 25. Interested drivers are asked to contact Ray Klarich on 0418 922 322.
LATIMER LEADS HEADING TO LISMORE Queensland V8 Dirt Modified driver Darren Latimer will be looking to consolidate his points lead when the Roosters Cup Series returns to the Lismore Speedway on Saturday night. Latimer took out the opening round in Maryborough (Qld) and has been one of the form drivers in Queensland this season. ”The class is just so competitive now” said Latimer. “Luke Oldfield is not going to win every night. Mark Robinson is not going to win every night. Every race is like an Australian title. Half a dozen guys can win on any given night.” “ If you win just one Feature race a year in this class, your no slouch” Lismore Speedway holds happy memories for Latimer, who took out the inaugural Modified Masters event in January against a field which included American driver Jimmy Phelps. “Lismore is our best track to race on because we keep our momentum” offered Latimer. “ It’s a real good drivers track, when your on song and got it hooked up you can just hold it flat for three quarters of a lap” The Masters win came in just his fifth outing aboard his new Bicknell V8 Dirt Modified, one of the growing number of V8 Dirt Modifieds imported from North America. “The best thing I ever did was buy this car” said Latimer. “It’s just so easy to drive. When we won down in Lismore we hadn’t had the car for that long but we’ve made some changes to the suspension and found some new setups so I’m pretty keen to get back down there.” Following Saturday nights event in Lismore, Latimer will take possession of his second Bicknell V8 Dirt Modified, with plans to run a two-car team next season with his wife Melissa at the wheel. Although leading the Series points, Latimer will face some stiff opposition on Saturday night, with newly crowned Australian Champion Peter Britten, Luke Oldfield, Mark Robinson and Andrew Pezzutti all expected to figure prominently in the results. “I have finished third in the Series before” commented Latimer “Its called the Roosters cup, my nickname is ‘Rooster’, so I’ve just got to win that trophy with ‘Rooster’ on it!”
ROUND TWO POSTPONED Round Two of the Roosters Cup Series, set down for Chartlton Raceway in Toowoomba has been postponed due to wet weather. Persistant rain in the lead up to the event, coupled with a forecast for afternoon storms, left the Promotion with no option but to abandon the event well before the scheduled start time. The next round of the Roosters Cup Series will be at the Lismore Speedway on March 28, with the final round now to be staged at Charlton Raceway on April 25. The final round will carry double Series points. The rescheduled final round sets up a blockbuster two weeks of V8 Dirt Modified racing in Queensland, with the two-night 'King of the Ring' event at Maryborough to be held the following weekend.
LATIMER TAKES ROOSTERS CUP OPENER Ladies and gentlemen, Darren Latimer has arrived! For the second week in succession Latimer has found himself going home with the winner cheque after a calculated victory in the opening round of the Roosters Cup V8 Dirt Modified Series in Maryborough. New Yorker Jimmy Phelps put on quite a show during the night on his way to second behind Latimer, with Andrew Pezzutti rounding out the top three. “We ran a bit hot” said Latimer post-race. “So we’ve got a few radiator issues to sort out, but I just did what I did last weekend. I saw the track went off, I tried to run the highline straight away and Peter (Britten) snuck under me and I though that’s nothing, we’ve set the car up for later in the race so we just snuck back down in the gutter and tried not to make any mistakes” Latimer started the main event from the front row and after early race leader Britten retired with oil pressure issues with just a handful of laps completed, maintained his race lead for the remainder of the race. Phelps, the nights highest qualifier, slipped back several positions (from fourth) in the early going only to work his way back through the field to challenge Latimer in the latter stages of the race. “I could hear him (Phelps) a couple of times” revealed Latimer. “ I saw him have a go a couple of times around the outside and I knew very well that if he wanted me, I had to slip up ‘cause there just wasn’t anything up there for anyone. So I just had to concentrate…hold your line, hold your line…just a bit of mental thought and the next minute the white’s out and here we go” The Feature was just one lap old before the one and only caution period of the night after Jai Stephenson spun in turn two, eliminating both he and a returning David Clark from the event. Once the race resumed, it was all about track position with the highline going away early after some thrilling three-wide action during the heats. While Latimer was comfortable out front, the battles for position further back were fierce. Pezzutti had his hands full in second holding off Phelps, who at one stage clipped the back straight wall searching for a groove up high. Keith Muller had an outstanding night and was locked in a dogged battle with pole-sitter Rob Hamilton for fourth, while Andrew Drake was throwing everything at Rian Collier trying to make an outside pass stick. Lapped traffic soon came into play, allowing Phelps to drive around Pezzutti and into second, while Muller continued his march forward into fourth (from eighth). As the laps wound down, Phelps slowly but surely reigned in the runaway Latimer, with the pair going three-wide in traffic late in the race. Fortunately for Latimer, he was able to hold on to the low line and hold Phelps at bay despite a number of spirited attempts around the outside. Latimer held on to take a popular win, from Phelps and Pezzutti, with Keith Muller and Andrew Drake rounding out the top five. A number of contingency prizes were also awarded, with Lance Towns taking home a $300 voucher from Ian Boettcher Race Parts, while Paul Booker won $300 courtesy of Quantum Racing Industries. Phil McNamara, after finishing seventh (after starting 11th) took home the encouragement award. Heat race wins went to Peter Britten, Rob Hamilton, Jai Stephenson and Jimmy Phelps. Round Two of the Roosters Cup Series will be at Charlton Raceway in Toowoomba on February 14, featuring American driver Gary Tomkins. FEATURE RACE (30 LAPS): 1st Darren Latimer, 2nd Jimmy Phelps, 3rd Andrew Pezzutti, 4th Keith Muller, 5th Andrew Drake, 6th Rob Hamilton, 7th Phil McNamara, 8th Ricky Robinson, 9th Rian Collier, 10th Paul Booker, 11th Lance Towns, 12th Maurice Yardley, DNF: Brian Scott, David Clark, Jai Stephenson.
Maryborough Podium (L to R) Jimmy Phelps (2nd), Darren Latimer (1st), Andrew Pezzutti (3rd). Ben Graham photo
PHELPS PRIMED FOR MARYBOROUGH DEBUT JANUARY 29- American V8 Dirt Modified driver Jimmy Phelps will be hoping to end his whistlestop two-race Australian tour in a winning note this Saturday night at the Maryborough Speedway when he takes on a strong Queensland contingent in the opening round of the Roosters Cup series. Phelps, from Baldwinsville (NY), had a disastrous outing at the Lismore (NSW) Speedway last weekend where a major accident and ongoing fuel problems ruined his weekend. “ Last weekend was one of those deals where we got off on the wrong foot and got behind” recalled Phelps. “ It doesn’t matter what you are racing, when you get behind and your up against this level of competition, its hard to fight back from that”. Phelps is campaigning a specially themed American-made Troyer racecar for Gold Coast racer Simon Jupe. “ Simon did tell me that Maryborough will be a little more like the tracks we are used to at home which is comforting” said Phelps. “Being from central New York we are pretty fortunate, we have a real big variety of racetracks, we’ve got everything from a quarter mile to the Syracuse mile all within a couple of hour drive so we see just about everything during the year. But one of my favourite tracks here is Brewerton speedway, which is probably a little bigger than a quarter mile but its tight and its narrow and its probably one on the favourite tracks we go to so I am hoping there will be some similar characteristics” Racing occupies most of Phelps’ time between February and October each year, campaigning his family-owned Andy Phelps Motorsport entry up to three nights a week in addition to running the Troyer ‘house car’ for the H & H Motorsport outfit on the gruelling 26-round Super DIRTcar Series. “It’s a tough deal time wise for sure” said Phelps. “It doesn’t leave a lot of free time with going to work all day and then working on the weekend cars all night then a few nights a week we take off to race at different tracks so it is pretty hectic. My typical weekly schedule is Fulton Speedway on Saturday night and Cayuga County Fair speedway in Weedsport on Sunday night and we probably run half the season at Brewerton on Fridays. Then the Super DIRTcar Series is another 26 races. But I am real fortunate with the H & H Motorsport program that they have got a full-time crew up there to take care of the racecars, that frees me up to do my stuff during the week. Working on both (weekly and Series cars) and working a full time job- well you wouldn’t be able to do it” V8 Dirt Modified racing in America is serious business, and the H & H Motorsport outfit for which Phelps drives has a variety of cars at its disposal, each suited to a different size racetrack. “They have a big block and a small block ‘Syracuse’ (one mile) car which we have had for the past few years and we just freshen up each year for Super Dirt Week” explained Phelps. “ We try to have 2 short track cars so usually we have four to five cars on the go at one time” And that’s in addition to the Andy Phelps Motorsport cars he campaigns between Friday and Sunday! Phelps returns to the United States on Monday where he will finalise preparations for an expected 80-race American season.
American ace Jimmy Phelps. Ben Graham photo
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