Racing in Tasmania: You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Wind back the clock 14 years to 2008, and the Shannons Nationals visit to Symmons Plains Raceway provides incredible contrast to this weekend’s AWC Race Tasmania.
Both programs are essentially the alternate offering to Supercars, with the 2022 version, the SpeedSeries, some distance away from its humble roots.
Back in 2008, three core national classes loaded up on the Spirit of Tasmania, consisting of 14 Formula 3s, ten Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge cars and ten Production Cars, with the bill filled out with an inter-state HQ Holden field (22 entries) and eight Formula Vees.
The program’s highlight was the Country Club Tasmania F3 Superprix, with Leanne Tander just edging out Nathan Caratti after 30 circuits, with other notable entries including Tim Macrow, Matthew Radisich and James Winslow.
In the Porsches, Sven Burchartz won all three races, with Jeff Bobik and Terry Knight sharing the podium finishes.
Only two outright class Production Cars made the trip, with Lee Castle (Subaru WRX) leading home Des Wall (Mitsubishi Lancer) in all three races, with the minor placings split between Jake Camilleri (Mazda 3) and George Miedecke (Hyundai Tiburon).
The event featured post-produced highlights on SBS Speedweek the following Sunday, with media interest and fan attendance in the event somewhat low-key.
While the meet may have lacked big-time star power, the after-party at Irish Murphy’s sure made up the difference…
The CAMS Nationals first made the trip across Bass Strait in 2006, with the Shannons backed iteration returning in 2007.
Following 2008, the Shannons Nationals would only return to the Apple Isle once more in 2010, with the logistics of the exercise seeing the series then concentrate on the mainland.
That was, until Race Tasmania came on the agenda last year, with a stout turnout from four national-level classes and a live, free to air TV broadcast.
This weekend’s return to Symmons Plains is the first of the new generation TV deal with Stan Sports, including a live free to air component on 9Gem. Across the board, there is some genuine sponsorship and investment being thrown at the sport.
Plus, there are some big names behind the wheel, with Tim Slade, Will Brown, Fabian Coulthard, James Moffat, Tony D’Alberto and Michael Caruso all entered.
Add into the mix the next generation of up and coming drivers such as Jordan Cox, Aaron Cameron, Ben Bargwanna, Dylan O’Keeffe, Josh Fife, Nathan Herne, James Golding, Jett Johnson, Ben Grice and Nash Morris, amongst many, there will no doubt be some interesting battles develop.
There’s a big field of Trans Ams, 20 odd TCR cars, and a field of S5000s stacked with talent, plus the local supporting cast.
The good old days were good, but the future looks somewhat better.
Mark Walker (administrator)
A vastly experienced Motorsport Public Relations operator, journalist, commentator and photographer, Mark brings his unique angle to The Race Torque in both words and imagery. As well as serving as our key photographer on the ground at major events around Australia (and overseas), Walker will often chime in with his unique and pin-point sharp viewpoint of the racing world via the keyboard too.
