Harley Bishop Seeks S S S Glory At Sungold Stadium
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 by Gavin White
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With the Triple X Speedcar Super Series set to appear at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium this Saturday night, the debut of the national series has everyone concerned eagerly awaiting the eighth round of the championship. Contracted drivers such as point leader and three time series winner Mark Brown, Sydney duo Nathan Smee and Troy Jenkins along with West Australian Scott Glazebrook have all enjoyed a strong series thus far.
Despite not being contracted to the SSS this summer, Victorian Harley Bishop is the only driver along with Internationals Davey Ray and Brad Mosen to have won a round of the championship apart from the contracted stars. To say that the man dubbed as the ‘Wild Child’ is pumped up about returning to Warrnambool is a massive understatement as the excitement continues to build toward Saturday night’s event.
“I can’t wait and these cars today compared to my old car have so much more power and we have learnt a lot more in the last two years just by doing the big shows,” said an obviously excited Bishop.
With ten contracted drivers making an appearance, Bishop will be just one of a strong group of non contracted drivers who will take the race right up to the series regulars. Bishop was the last start winner at Warrnambool several years ago, the most recent visit by Speedcars to the famed high banks. Bishop anticipates the series regulars will be tough to beat despite the fact that a large number of them may never have even seen the venue!
“Those top 10 guys are just fearless, Smee, Brown, Jenkins and the others just get onto any track and push it to the limit so its going to be good.”
“Half of them haven’t even seen the grounds, they know what the joints like though. The guys from the West and everyone else knows about Warrnambool from events like the Classic and just people standing around saying how good Warrnambool is going to be so I really do hope it will be a great night.”
Bishop confirmed the main talking point among the Speedcar drivers who will be at Sungold Stadium on Saturday night has been how good the highline has been in recent years. Most recently World of Outlaw Sprintcar star Terry McCarl dominated Australia Day’s World Series Sprintcars main event while American ASCS Champion Shane Stewart produced a powerhouse display to win both nights of the 38th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic. Stewart traded slide jobs with rival and eventual runner up Brooke Tatnell while these facts haven’t been lost on the best Speedcar drivers Australia has to offer.
“If the highline is there to be used then you will find that today’s teams that travel to America will gear the car and set it to run the top. Smee will, Mark (Brown) will, I will and we have all spoken about it that if it’s there to be used we will use it,” confirmed Bishop.
The ultra competitive Triple X Speedcar Super Series has worked its way through four states with former Tasmanian and three time Australian AMCA National champion Adam Wallis also set to appear in Queensland car owner John Harders Enforcer Speedcar. West Australian pair Keith Giles and Scott Glazebrook join Wallis as series rookies despite Giles enjoying a vast amount of experience with his recent victory in the prestigious 50th running of the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix proving he has lost none of his skills behind the wheel of a Speedcar. Glazebrook is a multiple West Australian Speedcar Drivers Champion while he has also won multiple Perth Motorplex Track Championships as this year sees the 27 year old team up with New South Wales car owner Brendan Fox for the teams maiden attempt at the SSS. Queensland duo Grant Draney and Mick Harders will join SA pair Ben Dillon and John McKay as the other contracted drivers.
“Nathan’s (Smee) is the only double winner on the series this year. Every other round has been won by someone different including Troy Jenkins (Murray Bridge), Mark Brown (Maryborough), Davey Ray (Avalon), Brad Mosen (Adelaide), myself (Maryborough) and of course Smee (Brisbane/Lismore, NSW),” said Bishop.
“Believe it or not last weekend was the first non podium we have had when we have run the Speedcar Super Series in the last two years.”
Bishop hopes his impressive results continue this Saturday night while he was quick to confirm the series competition is as tough as he has ever seen. Almost all of the contenders are running top level equipment with little expense spared as they compete to become the 2010 Triple X SSS champion.
“The top four drivers from last weekends round in Adelaide are pretty much paid drivers like the Sprintcars. I race for Brad Dent, Mark Brown races for Rinkin Racing, Nathan Smee races for Mark Cooper and Brad Mosen raced for Jack Berry so it’s a pretty professional deal now.”
Also on the program the Australian Wingless Sprints will contest the fifth round of the popular Super Six Series with a huge field expected to attend. Backed by Parr Motorsport the series is very even with some excellent young up and coming drivers mixing it with the seasoned racers.
Reigning Australian champion Rory Button heads the AWS nominations while Victorian titleholder Jeff Judd will look forward to returning to Warrnambool. Over 35 AWS nominations have been received with the Winchelsea’s Phil Micallef leading the Super Six Series championship standings.
For anyone still looking for more info on anything relating to the venue including weather updates then you are encouraged to call the Race Info Hotline.
Race Info Line 9513 5555
Public Gates Open at 4pm with racing getting underway at 6pm on Saturday night.
Admission:
Adults $25
Concession $20.00
Children 12-15 $10
Children 6-11 $5
Family Ticket $60.
Website – www.premierspeedway.com.au
Harley Bishop at the wheel of the potent Brad Dent owned #11. Pic courtesy Speedcar Super Series
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Sungold Stadium, Premier Speedway is located 3 hours South West of Melbourne near the beautiful coastal city of Warrnambool. Steeped in tradition Sungold Stadium is a AAA rated venue offering excellent facilities for competitors, spectators and officials alike.
Located only a short driver from the internationally acclaimed Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, there is loads for tourists to the area to see and do.
