MODIFIED Sedan drivers will turn on the action tonight at Hamilton’s Western Speedway, as they contest the prestigious Silver Strike feature, with a massive $10,000 to win at the end of the journey.

In the past, the Silver Strike was one of the most hotly contested events in Victorian Speedway with a range of silverware on offer as trophies, along with cash prizes and sashes, and this attracted large fields from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

Initially as a stand-alone event for saloon cars, the format evolved to a shared event between A and B saloons on a staggered grid, with each class competing for their own share of the prizemoney.

Drivers such as Ern Overall, Max Carlin, Peter Dowling, Ross Burrows, Gary Ainley and Don Golding were just a few of the names that come to mind, with Overall taking the most wins of the event, with Carlin greeting the flag several times as well. 

Times change, and with the demise of A and B sedans and the formation of class associations with their own feature events, the Silver Strike fell by the wayside, along with many other feature events around the country.

We are now seeing a resurgence of this type of event, with Queensland tracks being particularly good at the promotion and running of these shows.

The locals have chosen to embrace the format, and decided they would try to recapture some of the interest, which had been engendered by the Strike, and with the help of their sponsors, they have put together a race that has attracted a great line up of drivers for the night.

Recent events around the country have shown a strong interest in the Modified Sedans and an influx of young, skilful, and determined drivers, which have added immensely to the mix with Victorian drivers showing out well with plenty of placings on the board.

The nomination list for the Silver Strike is exciting, with plenty of well-known names, and a few that are well on the way to becoming future stars of the sport.

Young Dylan Barrow in the B17 machine is one to watch, having taken out the Kings Royal final in fine style, pocketing $15,000 for the win.  

He is a bit of a surprise package and a very exciting driver.

The nomination list also includes NSW1 Nathan McDonald, WA1 Joel Berkley, W00 Tye Galley, B5 Darcy Wilson, MDA 6 Wade McCarthy, B9 Lucas Condor, BGO11 Lachlan Fitzpatrick, BGO14 Michael Wicks, BGO17 Brad Wicks, B17 Dylan Barrow, AX19 Mitch Smith, NY25 Cameron Dike, AX32 Brody Chrystie, NY37 Andrew Dike, Ho33 Daniel Simpson CR38 Tristan McGraw, RDL46 Kye Walters, B59 Darren Lester, AX62 Brad Warren, NY72 Scott Angus, HO74 Steve Ellis, WA74 Alan Mortimer, Tas 6 Corey Jetson. Tas 7 Jacobe Jetson, and Hamilton’s only entrant, Brock Atkins, driving the LCA6 machine.

Atkins has taken a breather from his super sedan racing to pilot his former modified sedan in tonight’s event, having had a busy few weeks in the other class, taking the win driving the Moons Earthworks machine to victory in the McCosker Super Sedan final at Gladstone recently, and campaigning at several other tracks both here in Victoria and interstate.

Limited Sportsman will provide the support racing, and a good field of these popular open-wheelers includes the current title holder, Jock Baker, along with Tom Baker, Rod Hetherington and Nathan McDonald, all from the Horsham Club, Chris Woeltjes, David Knight, Darren Adams, Mal Sealy and Daniel Hurley from Bairnsdale and Katelyn Worthy, Craig Ansell and Daryl Carpenter as the local drivers.

Vintage Rods and Vintage Saloons will provide spirited demonstrations in their lovingly restored race cars from years gone by, with Tom Grist in 7, Michael Grist in 8, Ray Hammond in 44,  Peter Newlan in 53, James Robinson in 63, Austin Corcoran in 70, and Chris Hayden n 79 in saloons, while Jamie Pridham will be in 5, Noel Sharrock in 6, James Juri in 26, Andrew West in 27, Cam Tournier in 77, Peter Wilson in 91 and Darren Hetherington in 96 and Ron Taylor in 97 in the Rod section.

Racing is set to start at 5pm and tickets may be purchased online, or at the gate.

Further information is available on the Facebook page or at the Western Speedway website.