Some of South Australia’s most credentialled drivers will be heading to Darwin’s Northline Speedway for the Chariots of Thunder Sprintcar Series with Murray Bridge standout Ryan Jones, former South Australian Champion Matt Egel and rising star Jake Tranter among the drivers confirmed from the “Festival State”.

Ryan Jones, who is a former 4 times Australian 360ci Sprintcar Champion and a former contracted World Series Sprintcars driver, is coming off his best season in the 410ci ranks after capturing four main event wins including the Bill Wigzell Battle of the Bridge and the Ross Wright Memorial at the Murray Bridge Speedway and the Preliminary Feature event at the 2018 Queensland Sprintcar Title at the Archerfield Speedway. In addition to his main event wins he came agonisingly close to taking out the Ultimate Sprintcar Championship SA, finishing just behind series champion Robbie Farr.

For his upcoming Northern campaign Jones will be leaving his familiar black #63 in the shed at home and strapping into the Scott Perrett owned #98, a team he drove for on a limited basis last season along with acting as a driver coach for regular driver Chiean Perrett.

“We will be running the Scott Perrett #98 Maxwill powered Triple X in Darwin along with a half a dozen or so shows this season when it works out as Scott is a supporter of our own #63 car and he likes to do a little 410ci racing in addition to his 360ci team. I haven’t been to Darwin before either for pleasure or racing. It will be cool to see the Top End; the facility looks great and from what I have seen it’s gets really wide and racey” added Jones with great enthusiasm.

Adelaide based racer Jake Tranter is another driver who will be heading to Darwin to compete for the first time although his younger Brother Aaron Tranter has already raced there this season having competed in the recent Australian Junior Sedan Championship. Tranter has 1 career 410ci main event win to his credit and he will be hoping to build on that tally during this year’s COT in his immaculate #45 Maxim.

“We’re heading up there to start our season off early and get some laps in before our season starts down south later in the year. The event promises to be an enjoyable one, but it will extremely tough, but I am looking forward to the challenge” commented the driver known as “Snake”.

In addition to the likes of Jamie Veal, James McFadden and Tim Van Ginneken current Australia #3 Matt Egel is another driver who needs to be seriously looked at as an overall COT Championship series contender. Last season Matt was extremely fast everywhere he raced in the Darryl and Mike Downing owned #97 Cool with Egel capturing the Team’s first career World Series Sprintcars win at the Avalon Raceway in addition to his outstanding third placed run at the 2018 Australian Sprintcar Championship at the Borderline Speedway at Mount Gambier.

Matt has previously raced in Darwin with great success with a fourth placing at the Australian Championship in 2010, therefore he will enter the series with great confidence.

“We decided to head up to Darwin for a couple of reasons. First to escape the cold down south but more importantly to go racing! To be honest I’ve wanted to get up there for a few years since racing up there for the Australian Title in 2010. I absolutely loved the joint it was my style race track smooth and slick to the fence and from what I’ve seen over the last few years it’s been just that. When they announced this year’s COT with the huge prize purse each night the Downing Boys (Darryl and Mike) and me had a few conversations about it and decided why not. I’ll treat it as a holiday while I’m there as I really enjoy Darwin itself, so I will stay between the 2 weekends of racing”.

“It’s a huge effort for Darryl and Mike to make this all happen and it’s a long way to go but they are super keen to go racing as well. I can’t thank them enough for making this trip happen a long with all our loyal sponsors” commented Matt.

As previously release Broken Hill resident (South Australian registered) Brendan Guerin will also represent South Australia along with regular Darwin visitor Glen Sutherland from Mount Gambier, making an extremely strong Southern representation, therefore don’t be surprised to see a member of the “South Aussie Posse” on the podium at some stage during the 2018 Chariots of Thunder Series.

End Release

Chariots of Thunder release by:
Phil Michell Motorsport Media.
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