• This Saturday night drivers in the Late Model Sedan category will take off their roofs in a special one-off event at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway.

    Known as “The roof off rumble” the concept is popular in the USA where it’s held in many states and tracks to give spectators and drivers alike a different take on the usual competition.

    “It’s really cool to have the car so open like this,” says Kirrawee based second-generation racer Todd Bayley, “I’ve never driven my car like this but I’ve seen it in the USA and it’s really cool. I think people will really enjoy this.”

    Whilst the ‘coolness’ of the car visually is increased without the roof the safety of the driver is not compromised however as the sturdy roll-cage still exists over the drivers head and around the cockpit.

    It’s the composite fiberglass cover that goes over the cage and the driver’s helmet that will be taken off.

    “I’m probably most looking forward to seeing the transition in the car’s handling! I’ve heard people say that your racecar will become a lot tighter. Without a roof on normally you have more down-force to the track as the roof allows the air to get under and potentially lift your car off the track. The roof is made of composite fiberglass and is shaped in the most aerodynamic benefiting way possible but I’m still really keen to see the difference,” says opening night Valvoline Raceway feature winner Ryan Fenech, “it will definitely require a different set up I think.”

    The Central Coast second-generation hard charger will certainly be one of the hot favorites for victory on Saturday night.

    I’ve driven without the roof on before,” says Newcastle’s Nathan Disney, “with the roof off the Aero affect on the car is much better. It’s been proven in a wind tunnel. There’s a lot more vision for the driver as well,” I can’t wait.

    Night One of the season for the thundering Late Model sedans and their 800 plus horsepower motors saw Fenech take the honors in the feature race though not without significant pressure from Camden veteran Darryl Grimson in second place and Sydney based Hunter Valley born and raised Clayton Pyne.

    Fourth place went to Bayley over Disney rounding out the top five.

    All of the previous results may not count for much this Saturday night however as the new aerodynamic considerations come into play without the roof.

    In addition to the Late Model Sedans in a field that features the regular battle between Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter Valley NSW drivers there will also be the season debut of the pocket rocket Legend Cars, the Wingless Sprints and the Development Sprintcar Series on Saturday night’s program.

    The Legend Cars boast competition between the ACT, Central Coast, South Coast and Hunter Valley drivers in hectic battles between drivers of all ages from 16 years upwards.

    The Wingless Sprints are widely regarded as a stepping-stone to the Ultimate Sprintcar Championship and regularly field over fifty drivers per event at Valvoline Raceway.

    The Wingless Sprints will be itching to get racing after their racing was rained out at Valvoline Raceway last Saturday night.

    A typically large field crammed with potential feature winners has entered for this Saturday night with St. Clair hot-shoe Jason Bates coming off a win at Gilgandra in the first round of the NSW Championship a fortnight ago.

    Bates, who (now has five wins from 15 starts including a further three top-five finishes) was on a tear in the last few nights of Season 2017/2018 where he won numerous consecutive main events, led home Sean Dicker in second place and Troy Carey across the line in third.

    The always impressive Dubbo veteran Mark Blyton rolled in his first heat at Gilgandra but came back from the B-Main to finish seventh in the A-Main signaling that he will once again be a force to be reckoned with at Valvoline Raceway.

    The Sayre family, who already have sons Daniel racing Ultimate Sprintcars and Luke racing Wingless Sprints now have all three of their kids on track with teenager Andrew finally graduating from Speedway karts to Wingless Sprints where he will make his Valvoline Raceway debut this Saturday.

    The battles between Bates, Blyton and sons Marshall and Jamison, the Thomas brothers Dean, Jeff and Steve, the Dicker Brothers Sean and Jamie, the O’Brien brothers Leighton and Mitchell plus now the Sayre brothers plus a field of normally over 50-cars will ensure that the NSW Wingless Sprint Association have an epic season.


    The Development Sprintcar Series will have its first run this Saturday night in an ongoing event for new drivers who require the extra experience and also lower budget veteran racers who don’t’ always get to compete in the main races of the season.

    Gates open at 2pm this Saturday (October 13) with main racing commencing at 6pm at Valvoline Raceway – located at 21 Wentworth Street Clyde.

    Race fans and Late Model drivers alike are excited about the night where you can ‘get your roof off and get your groove on.’

    Adults: $30
    Concession $20
    Juniors (13-15yrs) $15
    Kids 12 and under: FREE
    Family Pass – 2 adults/2 juniors: $70

    Address: 21 Wentworth Street Clyde
    Website: valvolineraceway.com.au
    Facebook: Valvoline Raceway
    Instagram: Valvoline Raceway

    Ends release…





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