Edition 17 by Brett Swanson

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

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Who is Highline Magazine Editor: Brett Swanson Artist/layout; Andy Ticehurst Contributors; Kaylene Oliver, Grant Woodhams, Ray Read, Andy Ticehurst. Photographers: Brett Swanson – Pirate Media Kieran Swanson – Pirate Media Matt Hines – Jigsaw Photography Andy Ticehurst – PRM Group Rachel Cooper - Inaction Photos Leigh Reynolds - Inaction Photos Geoff Gracie Wayne Martin (WA) Dean Yoder - USA Stephen Pickering - Picko’s Photos You – The Speedway fans Facebook Contributions / Criticism Welcome. High Line Magazine Brett Swanson 0410 198 138 brett@piratemediagroup.com.au

Another great Dean Yoder Shot of D I-55 highbanks.

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

Derek Hagar in the Powri Lucas Oil National Midget League event at Peveleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Editorial

elcome to a special “Stop Press” edition of Highline Magazine.

Why is it special? Basically because it contains a story that puts the Sprintcar Control council of Australia (SCCA) in a position they’d rather not be in. To be frank it probably embarrasses them and no one likes to be embarrassed. Honestly, we could have sat on the story and released it when we were ready with no warning to the SCCA but instead we alerted an SCCA delegate to the matter and they tabled it at a recent national conference and it really got the tongues wagging. When you read the story you may think, so what? It’s not that big of an issue, but when it comes down to it, it is a breach of the SCCA’s own rules, and is no more or less serious than running an oversize engine, using traction control or some other technical or driving breach. But it’s still a technical breach of the rules. The stupidity about the scenario is that it could have been easily avoided by the insertion of some defined terms or definitions in the SCCA rule book, or simply with a catch all escape clause such as “At the discretion of the SCCA executive.” Highline magazine is not trying to embarrass anyone but to highlight the issue so that it can be rectified for future events.

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POINT OF VIEW

As a result, the SCCA quickly rially with some great images responded by issuing a statement captured by Highlines US photogwhich states: raphers Gary Gasper and Dean Yoder. “The SCCA has already commenced proper procedure by Enjoy. communique with its State Member Clubs to ensure reasonable and practical guidelines are established.” It really shouldn’t be that hard and if not for our story, chances are the scenario would have continued on for who knows how long. Also in this issue we’ve got the first of a two-part story on one of the largely unsung heroes of our sport in Ron “the Bear” Clarke. Not only was Ron a top class driver in Hot Rods, Super Modifieds and then Modified Sprintcars, but he, along with his father Reg, was something of an innovator and also a pioneer Sprintcar Administrator. While Ron’s eyesight is failing there is nothing wrong with his memory or his attention to detail as you’ll see from our story. To finish off this special edition we’ve covered some of Americas premier Sprintcar events picto-

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The Great Au

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ussie Debate

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EXCLUSIVE T

he exciting possibility that Tony Stewart, Donny Schatz and Co could contest the 2017/18 Australian Sprintcar Championship at Mt Gambierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Borderline Raceway is a realistic prospect following comments made by Kerry Madsen recently in a magazine article. Madsen unwittingly opened a whole can of worms for the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA) and its stance against foreign nationals not competing in the Australian Sprintcar Championship leading to the possibility that any non-Australian Citizen or resident could not be stopped from competing in the Aussie title should they so wish to do so. For a long time, the SCCA has maintained its position that the Australian Sprintcar Championship is to be open only to Australians. No Americans, No Kiwiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, No Canadians. The arguments have raged for many years now about the validity of this ruling especially when in recent times our coveted National crown has been won by American 10

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based Australians who have often jumped the next plane back to the USA straight after cashing the winner’s cheque.

“When I went to get my Australian citizenship, I had been spending a lot of time in the U.S. I wasn’t eligible. You have to be in the country (Australia) 18 months in a 24 month The legend goes that the track pro- period. That was 1998. I kept putmoters wanted the title to be only ting it off and never got it done. It’s for Aussies, so that they could then been a bit of an issue at the Aushave 12 months to promote the fact tralian Title race but obviously, I’ve that the Champion was racing at been able to run it.” their individual venues. Well that doesn’t work very well if the curDoes this mean then that the rent champion skips the country to SCCA have awarded three Nareturn back to the USA to continue tional Sprintcar Championships to a making their living as professional non-national, something that goes Sprintcar racers. against their own policy? It would definitely appear so. In a recent article in American bi-monthly publication “Flat Out Let me also just highlight the fact magazine”, Bill Wright penned an right here and now that in no way interview with Kerry Madsen where do we think Madsen should not one particular paragraph caught our have been allowed to compete for eye. the title. For all intents and purIn the article Wright asks Madsen, poses he is an Aussie. He grew up “A couple of years back, you got here, he learned to race here and your U.S. citizenship. Was that im- he paid his racing dues here. portant for you? But, technically, he was as per the Madsen then responds with some SCCA’s policy, ineligible to compete facts that most of us knew. for any Australian Sprintcar Championships. Or was he? “Yes, I think I underestimated it. I was actually born in New Zealand. I According to Section E – Australian moved to Australia when I was two.” Sprintcar Championship, rule 9 (g) of the SCCA Racing Rules, ReguMost industry insiders were well lations and Specifications August aware of this fact. However, Mad2016 as posted on the SCCA websen’s next statement is the interest- site. ing bit. “Only Australian Residents/Citizens 12

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are eligible to compete in the Australian Sprintcar Championship…..”

charge of duty.

The ordinary meaning of the word The racing rules, regulations and ‘reside’, according to the Macquarie specifications however remain siDictionary, 2001, rev. 3rd edition, lent on what exactly constitutes a The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, Resident or Citizen. NSW, is ‘to dwell permanently or for According to the Macquarie Diction- a considerable time; having one’s ary (on-line version) 2017 abode for a time’, and according to the Compact Edition of the Oxford A citizen is a member, native or English Dictionary (1987), is ‘to naturalised, of a state or nation dwell permanently, or for a consid(distinguished from alien), a person erable time, to have one’s settled or owing allegiance to a government usual abode, to live in or at a parand entitled to its protection, or an ticular place’. inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to its privileges or Neither Madsen, Schatz nor Stewfranchises. art dwell permanently in Australia or even for a considerable time for that Does Madsen meet the definition matter. of being an Australian citizen under ordinary concepts? Doubtful! He is There have been many court cases neither a native nor naturalised and that have examined the meaning of Madsen himself states in the Flat resident in regard to specific issues Out article that he had never voted and the Australian Taxation Office until he became a U.S. Citizen. (ATO) has legislation that specifiSchatz, Stewart, Saldana and co cally defines the terms resident and would fit into this category also. resident of Australia in regard to individuals and outlines guidelines So then, would Madsen qualify as used to determine whether an inbeing an Australian resident? At dividual is a resident for the ATO’s times, yes, especially when he was purposes. growing up but from around 1998 onwards when he started racing in While taxation and Sprintcar racAustralian Championships and racing are two different things, with the ing in the U.S.? Possibly not! lack of any other specific definitions within the SCCA rulebook, we can A resident is defined as someone use the ATO as guidance. who resides or dwells in a place, or is living or staying at a place in dis/Highline-Magazine

The ATO’s definition provides four tests to ascertain if an individual is a resident of Australia (for income tax purposes). These tests are: 1. The resides test (residence according to ordinary concepts) 2. The domicile test 3. The 183 day test 4. The superannuation test The primary test for deciding the residency status of an individual is whether the individual resides in Australia according to the ordinary meaning of the word resides. However, where the individual does not reside in Australia according to ordinary concepts, they may still be considered to be a resident of Australia if they meet the conditions of one of the other three tests.

consistent with residing here. When assessing whether an individual’s behaviour is consistent with residing here, the ATO also considers the following factors: • intention or purpose of presence; • family and business/employment ties; • maintenance and location of assets; and • social and living arrangements. No single factor is necessarily decisive. The weight given to each factor varies depending on individual circumstances.

So we can see from all the above factors that the determination of resident by the SCCA has no speThe relevant taxation ruling consid- cific basis and any arguments used ers the residency status of individu- by the SCCA to support their imals entering Australia and states plied claim that Madsen qualified as that the period of physical presence a resident, could also, potentially, or length of time in Australia is not, be used to allow Donny Schatz, by itself, decisive when determining Tony Stewart or many other Ameriwhether an individual resides here. can, New Zealand or Canadian However, an individual’s behaviour Sprintcar racers to contest the Ausover the time spent in Australia may tralian Title should those drivers or reflect a degree of continuity, routheir individual car owners wish to tine or habit that is consistent with challenge it. residing here. The only thing that would stop them The taxation Commissioner’s view however is that according to rule 9 of the law is that six months is a (g) they must have: considerable time when deciding whether an individual’s behaviour is “…competed with an SCCA Regis14

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

tered State Club in the current season and that the Club Chief Steward deems them to be of a standard eligible to compete….” In other words, one warm up event and away you go.

1 by Tatnell), and this was despite annual fields that included up to two dozen top Americans. The yanks only managed to pull off 4 wins in that time frame.

For further analysis, in the same All of these factors coupled with the period for Aussie Titles, U.S. based fact that multiple Aussie Champion Madsen and Tatnell have won 8 of Brooke Tatnell has spent more time 15 National Championships. living and racing in the US from before he even won his first National Is this Madsen faux par an embarcrown just highlight the absurdity of rassment for the SCCA? Yep! the policy. Does it back the SCCA into a corThe ridiculous SCCA ruling is one ner? Absolutely! that has also been partly indirectly responsible for the success of Pre- Is it time for the rule to be rescindmier Speedways Grand Annual ed seeing as it has already been Sprintcar Classic – arguably the breached on a technical rather than biggest Sprintcar event in Australia a moral level? …. - where Americans are openly invited and positively encouraged. Americans are eligible to race in and have won our Speedcar and Recent history in this event has Late Model Titles, so why not the proven that just because there’s a Sprintcars? swag of yanks in the field doesn’t mean they are always going to walk NB. This article is in no way meant away with the hardware. to infer that Kerry Madsen should not have been allowed to compete Taking a comparative look at the re- in any or all of the Australian Sprintsults of the Sprintcar Championship car Championships he contested or and the Grand Annual Sprintcar won. Kerry is considered to be an Classic for the past 15 years highAustralian both here and in the USA lights a couple of things: and proudly carried the Australia 1 number on the tail tank of his U.S. The past 15 Grand Annual Sprintcar based Australian owned Keneric Classics have been won 11 times Racing Sprintcar throughout the by locals, (which includes 2 wins by USA. technical Kiwi Kerry Madsen and

Ron Clarke – Speedway’s Si Part 1

By Brett Swanson

8 year old Melbournian Ron Clarke was well known in the 60’s and 70’s for his exploits behind the wheel of his self-built Hot Rods, Super Modifieds and Modified Sprintcars, but he was also instrumental in so many other aspects of the sport both from an Administrative and Engineering stand-point. On top of all that Ron Still owns the last car he built and raced, a Chev powered Modified Sprintcar, and it is still in the unmolested condition that it was in when he last raced it, complete with 45 year old paint, that has stood the test of time brilliantly courtesy of his brother in-law and fellow racer from the period Noel Ferrari. 16

I recently sat down with Ron to talk about his fascinating and influential career and to photograph his beautiful original racer. Ron, like many young speedway racers, got his passion for speedway from his father Reg who was “a bit of a petrol head and mechanic,” explained Ron. “He was a flight engineer during the war and then ended up at General Motors where he was the super-intendant of engine manufacturing.” “With four kids dad couldn’t afford to race but he took us to Tracey’s Speedway (Melbourne) and to the Albert Park Grand Prix meetings,” Ron continued. “Some mates and I started following the Stock Rods around at places like Tracey’s, Bax-

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ilent Superman. ter (near Frankston, VIC) and Brennock Park (Ferntree Gully, VIC).”

According to the March 10 1961 Melbourne edition of Speedway Star, Norm “Stacka” Ritchie ‘hit the fence Ron then studied Engineering, early and propped there for the reamongst other things at Footscray mainder of the event. He collected Tech and used those skills to build his quite a few whacks for his troubles.’ first race car, a Hot Rod, based on a including Frank Lacey (brother of Ray 1934 Ford. (Nippa), Uncle of Brett and great uncle to Nick) who clipped Ritchie and After purchasing a Side Valve V8 Ford torpedoed twice. K McCormack had from Graham Rose, who apart from been punted through the fence after racing Hot Rods himself also owned a clash with McCubbin who got some one of Melbourne’s first speed shops serious altitude and with these and in South Melbourne, Ron made his other cars stranded about the place debut at Tracey’s Speedway in Octo“it made passing difficult because you ber 1960. sometimes had to swerve left and right between them,” Ron said. Ron’s driving skills were obviously on par with his engineering and mechani- “At the end of the race I pulled up to cal skills as on 21st Oct 1961 he won drive off the track and I said who won? event 18 on the program – the 1st Hot They said you did. I said Bullshit! Rod Scratch race beating home Barry I knew no one had passed me but Reidy, Ken Howard and the legendary I didn’t know what had happened Graeme McCubbin. to the guys in front. McCubbin (the back marker) was probably faster Incredibly, despite Victorian Hot Rod but couldn’t pass because of all the racing being full of brilliant drivers that wrecks. We had a big party after that would become household names, Ron one.” Concluded Ron with a smile. managed to win the Victorian Championship in his first season of racing. With Ron racing his dad Reg was drawn into the fold and soon became “That was a funny story in itself,” Ron a machine examiner where he was related. “Back in those days if you nicknamed “Split Pins” by McCubbin crashed or spun out and were okay due to Reg’s insistence on using cas(read uninjured) they would leave you tellated nuts and locking “split” pins. there and the race would continue.”

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After the first season Ron realised his car was quite heavy and so bought a 32 B Model Ford body and chassis and then using some war surplus chrome moly tubing built the roll cage, and cross members. “I probably saved about 150lbs of weight and was possibly the first to use chrome moly for this application, certainly in Hot Rods at least.” explained Ron. “They had a rule back then about roll cage wall thickness and mine being Chrome Moly was too thin. I explained that although it was thinner it was stronger but they wouldn’t budge so I welded another smaller tube of steel parallel to the inside edge of the Chrome Moly and they accepted 18

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that.” By the way this car still exists and is currently owned by Gary Smith. In 1962 Ron and McCubbin again fought it out but this time Ron was second. “I had the faster car but couldn’t get past him. I could draw alongside in the corners but couldn’t complete the pass coming off the corners.” rued Ron. “Even though I didn’t win, funnily enough that sticks in my memory as one the most enjoyable races I ever had.” For ‘63 many drivers were building

“Sportsmen” style Hot Rods (narrow bodied pre-cursers to Super Modifieds). Ron thought his car was still heavy compared to the newer style cars and so cut holes in the old chassis rails to lighten the car. “In the 63 title I spun twice and had the fastest car as I ran down Ray Skipper who won it becoming the only interstater (SA) to ever win it. That annoyed me a lot.” explained Ron. One thing he was happy about however was winning the Calder Plate at Calder Park. In a one off event the Hot Rods and Speedcars raced on the trotting track that was inside the Calder Park asphalt circuit.

Sometimes the road trips are just as memorable as the racing and with his notoriety Ron started to get invited to race interstate at places such as the Ekka (where he set a new track record), Kembla Grange, Morriset and Rowley Park. “We were towing through the Bulli pass using an A-Frame and the bolt on the tow ball broke and my car started rolling down the road. Luckily Allan Seddon was travelling in convoy with us and used his big Dodge to stop the car going over the cliff.” said Ron thankfully. “In those days we used to put a free/Highline-Magazine

wheeling hub on the car to tow it so you didn’t wreck the diff and we still had to get over the hill so I thought I’ll drive it over. Well the road was wet and it was only driving through one wheel but we managed to get it to the top of the hill where a local farmer found us a coach bolt that we used to fix the tow ball and continued on to Melbourne.” Ron recalls the first time racing at Rowley Park and “Getting fixed-up” by the locals in their heavy Rods. “The next year though I used my same B Model ford to win the SA title.” With the impending closure of Tracey’s speedway Ron built a “Sportsman” but on Vic Title night was late getting the car finished. “I got to the track about 8:30pm and machine examination had just finished so they wouldn’t let me run.” “Most of the chassis of that Sportsman was made from Chrome Moly and we took it to Hi Pine Speedway (Portland, VIC) and blew the motor up.” stated Ron. “It was the only time we ever blew an engine and with that and the impending closure of Tracey’s I sold the car to Jack McDonald and went into retirement.” Victorian Speedcar legend John Mills later purchased the car from McDonald. But then along came Mick Certic who asked Ron to build him a car which Ron then ended up driving for Certic. The car had a 179 Holden engine with triple carbs and Ron ran this car in the Australian Title at Westmead in NSW. Ron also recalls leading a 100 lap race by two or three laps on lap 97 only for the left front king pin to break after earlier contact with a lapped car. In 1966 Brooklyn Speedway opened and Ron debuted his Super Modified/Modified Sprintcar - The very car that Ron still owns today. This car started out with a “Special” 192ci Holden engine in it. The 186 Holden evolved from a bored out 179 but that left little in the way of wall thickness so using his contacts at Holden, Reg was able to get a specially selected block that had more wall thickness and the team then turned that into a 192 “Special” The car proved ultra-reliable and finished every race except the last race of the season when he was fenced while lapping a slower car. 20

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At this time Ron also believes he was one of the first people to use chrome moly to make his own front axles. They also used a modified Holden steering box with a lengthened pitman arm to quicken the steering. The next evolution of this car was to fit an Eldred Norman Supercharger as the team felt they were down on power to the new V8 mods going around. Unfortunately the blower belts kept breaking and so Ron drilled the blower pulley to take weight out of it. This helped but didn’t alleviate the problem so he made a twin V-belt pulley and the problems were solved. Quick change rear ends were not allowed at the time and of course, the cars still had a gearbox and clutch as they had to be able to enter and leave the track under their own power so Ron and his dad designed and engineered a quick change gear box that attached to the back of the existing gearbox and bell housing. “It meant we had to drop the tail shaft out to change it but no one else had this technology.” Ron explained while looking at the original engineering drawings (Ron is also a mechanical draftsman). “Everyone else had to do their gearing by changing diff ratios before they got to the track.” In 68/69 Ron and Bill Willis were invited to Tasmania to “demonstrate” Super Modifieds at both Carrick and Latrobe and as a result were instrumental in getting Super Modifieds started on the Apple Isle. For 1970/71 having solved all of the reliability issues with the blown 192, Ron finally followed suit and installed a brand new 350ci Chev between the rails of the yellow #55. In the 1972 Australian Championship, Ron recalls he was the fastest car there and was running down leader John Moyle when an axle broke and the car was now only driving off one wheel. Despite this Ron was still able to finish 3rd but rued what might have been. Ron’s time behind the wheel well may have been coming towards an end but his involvement in the sport surely wasn’t as he and brother in-law Noel Ferrari became the first President and Secretary of the Australian Modified Sprintcar Control Council, nowadays known as the SCCA or Sprintcar Control Council of Australia.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Steven Lines in the Brian Hall WA3 was a surprise winner of the USC round at Warrnambool recently. What’s so surprising about Lines winning, right? The reason it was surprising was that James McFadden in the Monte WA17 was leadi o

Aussie Jamie Veal in action at Knoxville this time in the Capitani (Capy) Classic satisfactory weekend. - Dean Yoder Image 22

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

ing all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

c - the lead up event to the Knoxville Nationals where Veal had a less than /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Compatriot and mate James McFadden had a more successful Nationals than V age 24

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Veal and is captured here competing in the Capy Classic. - Dean Yoder Im/Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Indiana legend Robert Bell aka the Colfax Comet, lent his name and resources Brandon Anderson in a spot of bother in his Micro.- Dean Yoder Image 26

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ding all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

to the 1st Annual Comet Classic for Midgets and Micro Sprints. Here we see

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Indiana Sprintcar front runner Chad Boespflug gets the wheels up in the Midget Yoder Image 28

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t portion of the Comet Classic in which he would podium but not win. - Dean

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

1st Annual Comet Classic Micro Sprint winner Kelby Watt looks happy in victory

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y lane after a come from behind win. - Dean Yoder Image

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Brad Doty listens more intently then Ian Madsen and others, during the drivers b - Dean Yoder Image 32

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briefing for Dotyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own event - the Brad Doty Classic at Attica Raceway Park.

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Kasey Kahne Racings pristine Daryn Pittman #9 sits ready at the Doty Classic.-

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- Dean Yoder Image

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Brad Sweet’s nephew shares the quad bike while the child’s father, Kyle Larson, s moved back to where it started - Attica Raceway Park - Ohio. - Dean Yoder Imag 36

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stands nearby at the drivers briefing for the Brad Doty Classic which has now ge /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Whether it’s Kyle Larson or his own teams driver Shane Stewart, the Paul Silva

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a 57 is always a contender as here at the Doty Classic. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

David Gravel is having a stellar year and eventually overpowered Tim Shaffer t

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to take the win in the Doty Classic. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Tim Shaffer in the awesome looking Rudzik Excavating 49X was unlucky not to

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o add the Brad Doty Classic to his impressive resume. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

In the words of the Blues Brothers “we’re putting the band back together.” Auss Pittman into the outlaws winners circle for the first time this season at the Prelu Yoder Image

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sie Glenno Ingliss (2nd from left) reunited with Daryn Pittman and promptly put ude to the Iron Man 55 event. The main event was sadly washed out. - Dean /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Hunter Schuerenberg is normally a wingless Indiana Charger but here he stud

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dies proceedings at the Prelude to the Iron Man event. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Zach Daum is well known down-under and was a podium finisher (3rd) at the P Man Prelude event at I-55. - Dean Yoder Image

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Powri Lucas oil National Midget League event held in conjunction with the Iron /Highline-Magazine

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The exciting Sheldon Haudenschild powers around Federated Auto Parts Speed 50

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dway (I-55) early in the evenings activities. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Kevin Thomas Jr, was nothing, if not consistent on the way to winning the 20 feature at Bloomington’s Sheldon Kinser Memorial on his way to the much so 52

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leading all feature long until inexplicable spinning out of the lead a short distance from the chequered flag handing the win to Lines. Lines luck however, deserted him at the same venue a couple of weeks later in the Victorian Champi-

017 version of Indiana Sprint Week. The second generation wheelman won the ought after crown. - Gary Gasper Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

He’s back and on the boards. After a potential career ending wreck late last se wall at Kokomo in the opening round of Indiana Sprint Week (ISW). Capped o

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eason, Californian Robert Ballou was straight back to the boards as he runs the off by winning the Putnamville final round. - Gary Gasper Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

A packed house is ready for the launch of the opening round feature of ISW 201 56

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17 at the famous Kokomo Speedway. - Gary Gasper Image /Highline-Magazine

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While Kyle Larson didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win the unique Front Row Challenge, it was his hired g 58

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gun in the Larson Marks #2 who headed to victory lane. - Dean Yoder Image /Highline-Magazine

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nship at the same venue when he was taken out of the event in someone else’s wreck.

Donny Schatz, seen here at Pevely’s Iron Man Prelude event always shines wh years - wow. - Dean Yoder Image 60

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hen the big moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the line taking his 10 Knoxville Nationals win in 12 /Highline-Magazine

VSDA – Night of Nights The worlds’ oldest Speedcar (Midget) club, the Victorian Speedcar Drivers Aassociation (VSDA) held their annual presentation night las t Saturday (8th July) and at the same time inaugurated their own, long overdue, Hall of Fame. “This club has an 83 year history as the oldest Speedcar club in the world, and we thought it was time to recognise our won Hall of Famers,” stated co-organiser and presenter David Parker. “We have many people within this club that will never fulfil the criteria to become life members but they’ve had hall of fame careers and should be reciognised,” added club president and car owner Tim Fisher. “We know there are many, many worthy inductees within this club and we welcome nominations and suggestions for future inductees, but we decided that the first group would be drawn from those that were still currently active within our great club.” Fisher continued.

The Beasley Family, Eric Smith, Robbie Brown, Barry Power, and Mark Brown. The Beasley Family’s contribution started way back in the 1930’s with Arthur “Pop” Beasley and then continued with his sons Alf and Stud and into the present day through Stud’s son Leroy who proudly accepted the award on behalf of his family. An emotional Eric Smith said very little but was clearly humbled to be inducted. Smith was a long time competitor starting back in 1956 and raced for over 30 years before fielding cars for his sons Shane and Craig and now his grandson Toby. Smith is also the clubs scrutineer and Chief Steward a role he has held for over a decade.

Like Smith, Robbie Brown is part of a Speedcar family dynasty having And with that, the first five inductees followed in the footsteps of his fawere announced: ther as a racer and then car owner for the likes of Ian Lewis before his 62

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Top pic: The Mills Motorsport Group won the Owners Championship and the award was accepted by Clinton Mills from major partner Duttons Garage

Bottom pic: A beaming Jack Day accepts the Braeden Palmer/John Fitzgerald Most Improved Award from John â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fluxyâ&#x20AC;? Fitzgerald. Fluxy himself was the recipient of the cherished Club Person of the Year Award. /Highline-Magazine

Talented trio. Left to right Mitch Whiting (Rookie of the Year and 3rd in the Club ch Championship). 64 HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

hampionship), Travis Mills (Club Champion - again) and Ash Booker (2nd - Club /Highline-Magazine

own son Mark took over the seat at 16 years old. Robbie’s grandson Kaidon has only recently taken over from his dad, Mark, making this a fourth generation effort.

retired during this current season.

The family theme runs deep in this historic club and the fourth inductee was another with multi-generational roots – Barry Power.

Despite his own misgivings Mark was a worthy winner as he totally fitted the criteria having had a stellar driving career and now being a car owner for his son – 4th generation racer Kaidon.

Brown stated he “was embarrassed” to be inducted when there are so many other great people not yet included in the hall of fame but was Robbie is still actively involved men- humbled and honoured to be inducttoring his grandson and maintianing ed alongside his dad Robbie dedimachinery. cating it to his mother.

Powers influence and effect on this club can never be underestimated, as he almost single handedly kept the club alive during the late 80’s and early 90’s when the club really was on life support and the last rights had been read.

Mark Brown was also awarded the VSDA life time achievement award.

“Although I live in NSW, this is my club,” stated Brown. “My family has such a long history with this club Fielding a team of two or three cars, and I am a Victorian at heart, and that’s the reason we run V97 on Power Racing made up the bulk of the field for a time keeping the club Kaidon’s car.” he added. alive and unprepared to let it die The other significant award of the with drivers such as Ray “Noddy” night was the prestigious Club PerBishop (surely a future inductee) and his own sons Craig and Darren, son of the Year which went to John and with Barry taking on the role of “Fluxy” Fitzgerald. Club President as well. As Club President Tim Fisher stated The larger than life racing stalwart when handing out the award “He still fields cars today with the larrikin had 101 reasons to walk away from Ash Booker currently at the helm of Speedcar racing but he didn’t” the Power Racing #59. “Flux” has had a tough couple of The final inductee, Mark Brown, was years with the death of his step-son by far the youngest having only just Braeden “Skip” Palmer and the in66

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auguration of Skip’s Memorial race at Avalon where post-race, in the semi darkness surrounded by family and friends, Fluxy spread Skip’s ashes on the Avalon raceway track surface. Not surprisingly it was an emotional Fitzgerald who said through tears “This is all for Skip, I loved that kid.” Video/photo collages of all the Hall of Fame inductees can be seen on the VSDA facebook page and website. The seasonal awards were also handed out on the night with The Mills Motorsport Group and driver Travis Mills winning the VSDA Drivers Championship, The VSDA Owners Championship, the Avalon Track Championship and the Best Presented Car & Crew. Mills was also tied with Kaidon Bown for most feature wins. The prestigious peer voted Drivers Driver award was also a tie and this time Mills was forced to share it with Joe Lostitch who had a banner year also winning the National Six Crown award to go with his Tasmanian Championship. The other important drivers award was the Rookie of the Year which went to Mitch Whiting who stunned the club by becoming the quickest ever rookie to win a feature, and if not for a late season engine blowup Whiting may have finished higher

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A humble and “embarrassed” Mark Brown left with a swag of unexpected hardware and career and club recognition. than 3rd in the Drivers Championship behind Mills and runner up Ash Booker. Booker’s 2nd place in the Drivers Championship and third in the Avalon Track Championship also gave car owner Barry Power third in the Owners Championship behind his old mate Robbie Brown whose son Mark, and Grandson Kaidon, combined to give him 2nd in the Owners title. As Mentioned earlier Mills Motorsport Group won the Owners Title. The Braedon Palmer/John Fitzgerald Most Improved award went to Jack Day, while 13 different drivers were recipients of the Upside down award. The Mark Bateman Chaplaincy Sportsmanship award went to An68

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thony Chaffey. As mentioned in the Avalon Track Championship Travis Mills was the victor ahead of Kaidon Brown and Ashley Booker. Top three in the VSDA Drivers Club Championship each received a brand new wheel courtesy of Max Wheel. Completing the nights entertainment was a magician wandering from table to table amazing guests with his slight of hand tricks and a caricature artist. Numerous raffles were held and then to top of the night Ash and Renae Booker made a magnanimous gesture of putting up a sizeable tab on the bar to finish off the night.

/Highline-Magazine

HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION

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HIGHLINE MAGAZINE | EDITION 17 | SPECIAL EDITION