Huge Fields for Vic State Opener
Bumper fields across the board will take to Sandown International Raceway this weekend for the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship opening round, with well over 200 starters nominated for the event.
The Vic State Formula Ford continues to represent the toughest competition in the country, with a stout field of 28 to take to the starter, encompassing a mix of newer Duratec and older Kent-powered machinery.
Names of note include Zak Lobko, Edison Beswick, Bailey Collins and a pack of youngsters ready to impress at the front, while Richard Davison and Malcolm Oastler will be in the thick of the 1600cc competition.
Elsewhere in the open-wheeler ranks, 21 Formula Vees are set to slipstream their way down the straights.
Ash Quiddington returns, while front runners such as Lee Partridge, Andre Curin and more will be entertaining to watch.
The Lanotec-backed Hyundai Excels have undertaken an off-season resurgence, with a total of 31 of the pocket rockets nominated for round one.
In the mix will be Supercars enduro racer Jay Robotham, Harry Tomkins, Charlie Nash, William Sala, Tabitha Ambrose, and Hugo Simpson, amongst many.
The Porsche 944 grid has been shared with a smattering of Production Sports Cars, including 911s, Andy Tudor’s Audi R8, Miley Miller’s Toyota 86, Robin Bailey’s Nissan 370Z and Peter Lawrence’s BMW M4 GT4.
From the 944s, expect the likes of Chris Lewis-Williams, Cameron Beller, Richard Howe, Lyndon Watson, plus Michael and Andrew Westaway to be in the mix.
A total of 27 entries have been nominated in the combined HQ Holden and Historic Group N field, which is sure to provide entertainment right around the circuit.
MGs and friends have provided an entry of 23 cars, with big bangers such as Philip Chester and Simon Elliot joined by a fleet of more original specimens.
The Sports Sedans will be perfectly suited to the ‘home of horsepower’ with a field of 20, including Jim Pollicina’s and Francois Habib’s Commodore Supercars, Gregory Lynch’s Supercar lookalike, Dean Camm’s Corvette, Chas Talbot’s Camaro and more.
Along similar lines, the Vic V8s have a grid of 19 ready to rock, with a cool mix of new and old set to take to the track.
Meanwhile, the Ford versus Holden Saloon Cars continue their resurgence, with 18 cars entered.
As always, all of the racing action will be broadcast live and free through Blend Line TV’s usual outlets.
Practice kicks off at 9:10am on Saturday with a round of 20min qualifying sessions, with the first round of racing slated for a 1:15pm launch.
All races will be time certain to 20min, with two full rounds set for Sunday.
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.
