Before he became a celebrated country music recording artist with a dozen Golden Guitar awards and over 500,000 album sales, Adam Brand raced a Speedway car.

And loved it.

Brand raced his tiny quarter midget car around the dirt ovals in WA wherever he could drag it to, and spent most of his youth (as thousands of West Aussies also did) watching in awe on Friday nights at the now defunct Claremont Speedway.

It’s not unfair to suggest that he dreamed of motor racing greatness, but the burning desire to write and perform music for a living pulled him in a slightly different direction.

To a different, but not a remotely different, location.

Moving to Sydney in 1997 where he began working on his debut self titled album (that would ultimately net him three Golden Guitars) Brand rediscovered his love of Speedway with regular visits to Parramatta Speedway.

He also made a connection with a fellow West Australian in Wade Aunger who was announcing at the Speedway and the pair collaborated on a song that would become the most recognized anthem in the sport’s history throughout many corners of the world – Dirt Track Cowboys.

It remains as one of Brand’s most popular live songs.

Over the years Adam has raced in the V8 Ute Series, the Suzuki Swift Series in The Shannon’s Nationals and driven many and varied Speedway cars at the insistence of fan/racers at the time.

“I get in and have a skid whenever I can,” he grins, “there’s nothing like it. If my music career hadn’t taken me on this path I’d definitely be out there somewhere racing something. Speedway is in my blood and it’ll never go away.”

It might not ever have to.

As long as there are people like Valvoline Raceway and the Speedway Legend Car Association to coerce him (not too hard mind you) into having a blast around the Speedway this Saturday night.
“I drove a legend car in 2012 and it was amazing,” recalls Brand, “they’re so light, so nimble and so quick. I was hooked from the minute I drove into the first corner. It’s been two years since then and I’m just as excited about racing this Saturday night. I can’t wait.”

This Saturday is by no means his only foray on the clay either, with the possibility of several other drives this season.

“I’m definitely talking with the Legend Car people about racing more often,” he promises, “this is far too much fun not to do it as often as my touring will allow.”


Brand will be plunged directly into the field of regular Legend Car racers at Valvoline Raceway in Parramatta when they support the third round of the Sydney Sprintcar Track Championship where Victorian racer Jamie Veal is attempting to make history.

Veal, if he wins, will become the first Victorian to ever win three consecutive main events at the Parramatta venue that has been regarded as the national home of Sprintcars in Australia since the 1980’s.

“I think we can do it,” explains Veal, “we have a good handle on the track right now and the car is running beautifully. I feel confident that we can give the hat trick a real shot. It’d be cool to have that kind of record on your resume for sure.”

History is by no means assured however with a crack field of NSW and visiting interstate stars desperate to prevent the 26 year old from breaking the record.

Currently the top 20 in points for the Track Championship is as follows:

Driver                                     State                          Points

Jamie Veal                            VIC                              508
Danny Reidy                         QLD                            486
Ben Atkinson                                    NT                               482
Matt Dumesny                      NSW                           472
Max Dumesny                      NSW                           472
Robbie Farr                          NSW                           472
Toby Bellbowen                   NSW                           472
James Thompson              NSW                           464
Marty Perovich                      NSW                           452
Roddy Bellbowen                NSW                           448
Max Johnston                       NSW                           446
Andrew Wright                      NSW                           442
Trevor Green                                    SA                               442
Jeremy Cross                      NSW                           439
Ryan Davis                           VIC                              438
Kelly Linigen                         NSW                           434
Darryl Campbell                  NSW                           431
Steve Caunt                          NSW                           418
Sam Walsh                           NSW                           416
Jordyn Brazier                      NSW                           411

AMCA Nationals will also be on the program for this Saturday night’s event, which commences hot laps from 5.30pm.

Valvoline Raceway is located at 21 Wentworth Street Granville and the office can be contacted on (02) 9637 0411.

Prices:
Adults $30
Concession $20
Juniors (13-15ys) $15
Kids 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) FREE
Family Pass (2 adults / 2 Juniors) $70
Gates open at 2pm.
Hot Laps from 5.30pm, Qualifying from 6pm. National anthem at 7pm.