IT is the biggest event of the season at Western Speedway this weekend, with 122 SSA Street stock drivers from around Australia nominating for the National Street Stock Championship.
Hamilton members have been toiling at the complex in readiness for the big event, one of the largest ever presented at Western Speedway, which has hosted several other national titles since the clubs inception.
The circuit has been resurfaced and re shaped with many long hours having been spent by members fencing, painting, and refreshing the complex, and they are extremely grateful to the many race sponsors and businesses that have provided support and equipment over the past few months.
This will be the 33rd edition of the SSA Street Stock national event, which saw the defending champion, Anthony Beare, emerge victorious at Bunbury last year, and the big question being asked is can he make this event, number eight?
Beare is no stranger to the Hamilton track, having competed here in Junior Sedans in his youth, before moving on to become the most dominant driver in the street stock class, having taken out seven national titles, dating back to 2007.
He has also notched up 10 South Australian titles, four Western Australian titles, seven Victorian titles, three titles within the Northern Territory, one Queensland title and two events in Tasmania, the most recent at Latrobe this year.
While his resume is outstanding, he is not unbeatable, and with so many talented pedallers in the field, it will be a very competitive event.
The Street Stock class was first formed in 1985, with Warrnambool hosting the first national title in 1990, which saw the late Neil Hoffman of South Australia win the first of his two titles.
The Australian title at Redline in Ballarat in 2016 saw 139 drivers entering, the most entrants ever nominating, and this weekend at Hamilton will see the third largest nomination list so far, with drivers from six states represented.
Heading the list, other current state champions include Jake Hoath (WA), Jason Duell (NT) Jake Koivumaki (NSW).
Nathan Thorne (SA) recently emerged victorious against a stellar field in the Victorian Championship at Warrnambool
The program of events kicked off yesterday with scrutineering followed by an official practice, then on to the Hamilton showgrounds for the official welcome and Calcutta.
A massive schedule for the two nights, with Saturday racing commencing at 4pm with 30 heat races of 10 laps, giving each driver three chances to gain their points, then Sunday’s events will commence with a 3.30pm photo shoot on the infield followed by a Crowd Walk.
The Grand Parade at 4.30pm will lead into 10 more heats, two C Mains of 20 laps, two B Mains, and then the 40-lap Australian Street Stock Championship final, which is scheduled to start at 9.30pm.
For up to date information, check out the Western Speedway website or Facebook page for any changes to starting times or programming.
Nominations
Tasmania - Mathew Crawford, Daniel Cunningham, Nick Taylor, Dale Riley Jnr, David O’Rourke, Nathan Russell, Benjamin Riley, Phil Russell, Andy Russell, Jaiden Russell, Karlia Riley, John Sylvester, Mathew Atkinson, Braiden Russell, Corey Bauld, Nigel Apted, Brad McKendrick, Steven Russell, Lucas Dickenson, Brendon Green and Aaron Burgess.
Queensland - Travis Hutchinson, Darren Ciesiolka, John Roycroft, Nathan Barbeler, James Russell, Ben Langton and Peter Thompson.
Western Australia - Hayden Norman, Ben Norman, Lenny Bates and Jake Hoath.
South Australia - Anthony Buchanan, Criag Buchanan, Keith Moore, Ben Tuttle, Darren Flatman, Jason Duell, Ben Whitehead, Stevie Gartner, Thomas Whitehead, Thomas Garner, Jason Ganz, Anthony Beare, Scott Merrett, Nathan Thorne, Kayla Knox, Kye Richarson, Jordan Triffitt, Jayden Edwards, Darren Brumfield, Drew Flatman and Bradley Sheridan.
Victoria - Mick Dann, David Donegan, Peter Kinnear. Dean Jenkin, Morris Ahearn, Jack Jordan, Steven Watts, Bradin Claridge, Tristan Hunt, Mark Miles, Ellen Vagg, Dale Morrison, Joel McInnes, Jarred Wilkinson, Paul Domberg, Ricky Cornwall, Robin Rundell, Jason Faux, Ricky Throckmorton, Scott Secombe. Mathew Brooks, Shaun Henry, Mitch Viney, Dylan Wilkinson, Nathan Hutchinson, Nick Chrystie, Mick Hume, Jason DeGoldi, Ashley Fox, Bhoe Paterson, Zac Barwise, Brad Hill, Stu Robinson, Ronald Davey, Josh Davey, Leigh Gooding, Chris Hay, Matt Martin, Timothy Hutchinson, Darwyn Lee, Brodie Ardlie, Shaun Jenkins, AJ Lawrence, Ryan Watts, Troy Hose, Dale Bluely, Matt Nelson, Jayden Blomely, Hayden Glare, Wade Fell, Shane Roycroft, David Barrie, Rhys Meakins, Aaron Meakins, Nathan Fawns, Jensen Wilson, Stefan Clark, Matt LePoidavin, Tyler Barton, Steven Hardie, Jack Littlehales, Calem Fell and Steven Brook.
Northern Territory - Justin Brumfield, Jack Yates, Kane Lloyd and Jake Koivumaki.
