Competitors in V8 Supercars support categories are busily preparing for the Winton Raceway V8 Supercars SuperSprint, to be held from 15-17 May.
The Dunlop V8 Supercars Development Series, ENZED Touring Car Masters, Kerrick Sports Sedans and Australian Sports Racer National Series will all appear at the nation’s action track as support acts to the main V8 show.
The Dunlop Series is considered to be the primary breeding ground for future V8 Supercar stars – its graduates include drivers such as Bathurst 1000 winners Mark Winterbottom , Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat, as well as Scott McLaughlin, Michael Caruso, David Reynolds, James Moffat, Tim Slade, David Wall, Jack Perkins and Dale Wood.
Reigning Dunlop Series Champion Paul Dumbrell (Eggleston Motorsport Holden) is level on points with Cameron Waters (Prodrive Racing Ford) after the season opener at the Clipsal 500; the Dunlop Series travels to Barbagallo, Perth, for Round 2 before heading to Winton a fortnight later for Round 3.
The ENZED Touring Car Masters is a series for historic touring cars from the period between 1964 and 1976. It attracts iconic muscle cars such as Ford Mustang and Falcon, Holden Monaro and Torana, Chevrolet Camaro and many others. It also attracts some of the most decorated drivers in Australian racing history, with legends like John Bowe, Jim Richards, Andrew Miedecke and Glenn Seton competing in the category.
Touring Car Masters appeared at last year’s Winton V8 event, with Richards taking the round win from Bowe.
Two events have been run for TCM so far in 2015; Miedecke won the opening round at the Clipsal 500, while Steven Johnson, making a cameo appearance in Bowe’s Mustang, won all three races in Round 2 at Symmons Plains.
The Kerrick Sports Sedans are some of the most exciting tin-top race cars in Australia, featuring highly modified vehicles with lightweight panels and large capacity V8 or highly-tuned turbo or rotary motors. As Round 2 of the national series, the Sports Sedans are expected to attract a quality field.
Unfortunately, regular front-runner Darren Hossack has been ruled out of the Winton round after sustaining injuries in a speedway crash, but he will be replaced in the John Gourlay-owned Audi A4 by HRT V8 enduro driver Jack Perkins, who will no doubt be competitive against eight-time Champion Tony Ricciardello in his Alfa Romeo GTV.
The Australian Sports Racer National Series features Le Mans prototype-style sports cars. They are powered by production-based motorcycle engines which rev up to 13,500rpm, and are designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and minimum weight. As a result, they are able to carry extremely high corner speeds and achieve scintillating lap times.
Last year’s runner-up Roger I’Anson is confirmed at Winton for what will be the opening round of the 2015 series, along with fellow South Australian drivers Mark Laucke and Jonathon Stoeckel.
Winton Raceway CEO Brian Pearson says the venue is delighted to welcome such a diverse mixture of classes to support the main act.
“There will be something for everyone at this year’s Winton V8 meeting,” Mr Pearson said.
“At one end of the scale, the V8s are the main drawcard and some of the sport’s most talented young drivers will be looking to showcase their abilities in the Dunlop Series.
“Then there will be the raw speed and power of the Sports Sedans, and fans of old-school muscle cars will be catered for by the Touring Car Masters, while those who enjoy more sophistication will love the Sports Racers.”
All spectators are reminded to purchase their tickets online at https://www.outix.com.au/sites/winton/. Reserved grandstand seats are filling quickly, so book NOW to avoid disappointment!
