Sport
31 May, 2024
Practice session tests new surface
SPEEDWAY drivers got their first taste of the new track at Premier Speedway over the weekend.
A practice session was held on Sunday giving drivers time to see how the new clay surface responds.
Almost 30 cars took up the opportunity from a variety of divisions including Sprintcars, Wingless Sprints, Super Rods and Formula 500’s.
Fastest times for the day:
Sprintcar – Michael Cunningham 12.054;
Pro Sprintcar – James Oliver 12.360;
Formula 500 – Brad Malone 13.723;
Junior Formula 500 – Paddy Lewis 14.400;
Speedcar – Jesse Nicholas 14.758;
Compact Speedcar – Michael Conway 14.879;
Wingless Sprint – Travis Millar 15.260; and
Super Rods – Dane Court 15.269.
Premier Speedway club general manager Michael Parry said overall the club was “quite happy” with how the session went.
“It was day one on a new surface,” he said.
“It was a good shakedown test.
“We were able to make a few changes on the day.”
Parry said after speaking with a few of the drivers following the session, feedback on the new surface had been positive.
“We’re looking forward to the 24/25 season,” he said.
“We will have a couple of practice sessions in October as well.”
The former track surface was removed at the end of the 2323/24 season, replacing it with the fresh orange toned lighter coloured clay.
In addition to the clay change the track shape has undergone changes with the straights flattened while the corners see a more gradual angle increase against the steeper angle changes that were in the shape previously.
The corner changes aim to achieve two distinct racing lines; a bottom and a top, with the top featuring a slightly higher angle than previous, which will assist hold the cars from sliding into the wall.
