HAMILTON’S Dane Court won the Trevor Podger Memorial at Simpson Speedway on Saturday night, continuing the 37-year-old’s strong form on the track.

The local, who drives HA96 in the Super Rods class, led from start to finish to collect the chequered flag after 25 laps to claim one of the biggest wins of his career.

It has been a strong season for the local driver, performing well at his home track, Western Speedway, as well.

Court will return to the track at Ballarat’s Redline Speedway tonight.

It is a big night of action with Western Speedway also set to host a big program.

Sprintcars, VSC Sports Sedans and Vintage Sprintcars are all part of the action when the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria headlines the schedule with round eight of the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series.

There has been 23 nominations for this prestigious event including Tim Hutchins in the T7 machine, who will be trying to emulate last Saturdays win at Wangaratta.   

Hutchins has notched up two wins so far in the series and is in great form.  

The overall points standing for the series has Daniel Pestka on 2275 points so far, with Grant Anderson, Brett Milburn and Tate Frost hot on his wheels. 

There is still a couple of rounds to go, so at this stage it is there for the taking by anyone.

The field tonight includes Grant Anderson, Brock Hallett, Leigh Mugavin, Andrew Hughes, Terry Rankin, Michael Coad, Warrick Taylor, Ashley Cook, Adam King, Troy Hose, David Aldersley, Brett Milburn, David Donegan, Rhys Baxter, Grant Stansfield, Blake Walsh, Peter Doukas, Kevin Reeves, Tate Frost, Tim Hutchins, Tim Van Ginnekin, Daniel Petska, and Mark Carlin. 

There are some very well credentialed drivers amongst the class, as well as some emerging young talent, so we can look forward to plenty of action.

Vintage Sprintcars and Super Modifieds will also take to the clay to showcase their driving skills, as they strong arm their vintage machines around in spirited demonstrations.

Some truly magnificent machines, restored into immaculate condition, and cherished for their links to old style dirt track racing.

The 10 nominations include Ray Abbot in the ex-Ewing, Tognotti Sprintcar, James Duggan in the ex-Tim Moncreiff, 1973 CAE sprinter with a fuel injected S.B. Chev engine.

Jason Feltham will be driving a 1990 Buckley Mid-bar Sprintcar, Greg Hodgins is in USA 56, a USA wedge Super Modified, and Mark Kuypers is in an Edmonds bodied Super Modified, all powered by Chevrolet motors. 

 The ex-Dick Britton 302 Ford, ACT 10, will have Kevin McCallum at the wheel, Clive Pattelock will have the 1989 OTR ex-Roy Wright machine and Graeme Pitcher has a 350 Chev in the USA 25, ex Steve Christmas, 1982 machine.

Rounding out the field will be Neil Lauder in an Edmonds style Modified,and Peter Swandale in the Edmonds Super Modified, both cars again powered by 350 Chev motors.

The evolution of sprintcar racing is epitomised by the contrast between the current cars and the vintage class machines, and you are in awe as to how these early racers paved the way for the heroes of today.

Western Speedway is also pleased to welcome the VSC Open Sedans for the first time, and some 20 drivers will contest the sixth round of their Dirt X Industries VSC Sports Sedan Power Series.

The current standings on the series after five rounds is headed by Robert Garlick from Alexandra on 465 points, while Jamie Paull from Nyora is on 398 points and Dale Smith is on 332.

These three drivers will be out to strengthen their position on the ultimate podium, but there is a good strong field for this event.       

Wayne Alberni, Bradin Claridge Nathan Fawns, Daniel Brittain and Lucas Condor have all appeared here in the past, albeit in different classes, but for the majority it will be their first run at the venue.  

The nomination list also includes Marcus Griffith, Shane Simpson, Caleb Lincoln, Tommy McDonald, Zac Leersen, Troy Glassborrow, Aiden Copeland, Joel Copeland, Jamie Lock, Jamie Paull, Robert Garlick, Dale Smith, Shakira Blake, Josh Beattie, Jamie Thompson, and our one local entrant, Jason Berger, in the HA27 machine.     

As a loose interpretation of the species, the cars themselves are mono constructed sedans, able to carry a passenger, powered by four, six or eight-cylinder engines. 

With plenty of power behind them, they should be able to get up some good pace and provide good racing for the crowd.

All in all, it is an interesting program which is scheduled to commence at 5pm, with public gates opening at 3pm.      

All COVID-19 protocols and restrictions apply.

For further information, please check the Western Speedway website or Facebook page.