Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway will see its final chequered flag this weekend after 40+ years of racing on June 2-3.
It’s the end of an era for a track that’s played host to many of Australia’s greatest speedway category racers and international stars alike.
The newly laid track was opened in 1979, by land owner Ron Wanless who himself was a two time Australian Speedway title winner in 1978 and 1979. Now in his 80’s, and after contributing 40+ years of rich history to the sport, the land will be sold off.
Fans will have been thankful for having one last season to enjoy their favourite local track, as prior to the season starting it was doubtful that there would have been one at all.
A huge two night sign-off will see over 200 racers farewell the popular track, which will include three 50 lap feature races, culminating in the track’s final race on June 3, a $15,000 Sprintcar feature that plenty of drivers are keen to win.
The Archerfield Speedway under construction in the late 70’s.
In addition to the main cash prize, every lap led is sponsored to the tune of $100 on top of the big purse, with a start-to-flag finish to net a possible $20,000 for the winner.
Australia’s best have been led to compete in the Speedways last hurrah, with Australian champion Jock Goodyer, and Grand Annual winner Brock Hallett, as well as former national titleholders Jamie Veal and Robbie Farr.
Supercars Tickford driver Cameron Waters will also race in his one and only Archerfield appearance, amongst a huge field of 70 nominations.
A sell out crowd will witness the beloved speedway’s final race on June 3 with a 50 lap Sprintcar feature
In terms of pure form at Archerfield this year, it will be hard to look past current ECL Championship leader Luke Oldfield, who has featured on the podium in every single race at the track this season, and has also won his last two races there.
Seeing an Oldfield victory would be fitting given his affiliation with success there, but he’ll have his hands full with Goodyer, with the Tassie product having had a fantastic season.
Goodyer will be hoping to add to his great season by taking out the final race at Archerfield Speedway. Image: Ray Ritter – KNJ Photography
The likes of Ryan Newton, Taylor Prosser, Randy Morgan, Jy Corbet, Brent Kratzmann and Kevin Titman will be also looking to take the final honours, as Sprintcar competitors from everywhere except WA will be travelling into Brisbane to try and take the historical win.
Whilst the Saturday night is already a confirmed sell-out, tickets are still available for the action on Friday night.
The event will also double as round 10 of the East Coast Logistics Sprintcar Track Championship, and it’s no surprise to see Oldfield heading the pack by over 100 points.
Luke Oldfield took out Round 9 of the ECL Track Championsip at Archerfild Speedway, and has dominated there all season
The Friday night program will also feature the final round of the Shock Absorber Therapy AMCA Nationals Track Championship, along with Open Sedans and a 50-lap feature race for Wingless Sprints, while Saturday night will include the 50-lap Midget feature race plus Modlites and fireworks.
Gates will open at 12.00pm on both days for competitors and online ticket holders, with general admission tickets available for Friday only from 3.00pm. As Saturday night is sold out, no general admission tickets will be available. Both nights will kick off with early racing from 4.30pm, with the main program scheduled for a 5.30pm start. Restrictions will be in place for trolleys, karts and large (hard) eskies to ensure maximum comfort for all patrons.
Prosser did battle with Oldfield to take his maiden A-Main victory at Archerfield Speedway last April
Nominations for Archerfield’s last hurrah
The Last Race (East Coast Logistics Sprintcar Track Championship round ten) nominations: Aaron Kelly, Adam Butler, Allan Woods, Andrew Corbet, Ben Atkinson, Brad Ayers, Brent Kratzmann, Brett Hobson, Brock Hallett, Cameron Waters, Charles Hunter, Cody O’Connell, Dan Murray, Daniel Helmore, Daniel Needham, Darren Jensen, Dave Fanning, Dylan Menz, Erin Vanderreyden, Harrison Swan, Harry Stewart, Jack Bell, Jai Stephenson, Jake Baines, James Kennedy, James Matthews, Jamie Veal, Jayden Peacock, Jeremy Gaudry, Jock Goodyer, Josh Fort, Jy Corbet, Kaydon Iverson, Kevin Britten, Kevin Titman, Kye Jensen, Lachlan Caunt, Lachlan McDonough, Liam Williams, Luke Dougherty, Luke Oldfield, Luke Thomas, Mark Pholi, Michael Stewart, Mitch Gowland, Nash Morris, Nathan McFarlane, Nathan Pronger, Peter Campbell, Randy Morgan, Richard Morgan, Robbie Farr, Ryan Newton, Sam Walsh, Tarhlea Apelt, Taylor Prosser, Tim Farrell, Trent Vardy, Tyler Stralow, Will Carroll
Supercars driver Cam Waters – seen here at Warrnambool – will make his first and last appearance at the Archerfield Speedway this weekend
Petzyo Sprintcar Development Series nominations: Adrian Josefski, Anthony Vanderreyden, Carlo Moiola, Jared Desmares, Jason Rae, Libby Ellis, Luke Manttan, Noah Ball, Ron Hendrickson, Steve Bateman, Thomas Clarendon-Blair
Midget 50-lapper nominations: Alan Day, Barry Gibbs, Brad Dawson, Braydan Wilmington, Brock Dean, Cal Whatmore, Charlie Brown, Chris Pidgeon, Dan Griffiths, Darren Dillon, Darren Vine, DJ Raw, Drew Fenton, Dylan Menz, Glen Prowse, Jack Bell, Jack McCarthy, Kaidon Brown, Matt Jackson, Matt O’Neill, Michael Kendall, Michael Pickens, Michael Stewart, Nathan Smee, Rusty Whittaker, Scott Doyle, Scott Farmer, Tim Devine, Troy Ware, Ty Horne
Shock Absorber Therapy AMCA Nationals Track Championship Grand Final nominations: Bruce Marshall, Conor Stephan, Gary Stacey, Graeme Holland, Kevin Stow, Lee McKinnell, Mark Taylor, Maverick Dack, Michael Denning, Nash Granger, Nathan Tomkins, Nick Stacey, Paul Reeves, Peter Greer, Robert Turner, Russ Hardy, Scott Hitchcock, Shane McKinnell, Steve Potts, Steve Price, Tony Blanch, Wayne Stacey
Wingless Sprint 50-lapper nominations: Brody Thomsen, Casey O’Connell, Chris Catchpole, Dave Sansby, Ian Milnes, Jacob Jolley, Jacob Waller, James Grady, Jason Bates, Jayden O’Toole, Jeremy Burt, Lachlan Robertson, Lance Dawson, Liam Atkinson, Mark Blyton, Matthew Brown, Matthew Gamble, Mitchell Allan, Peter Granger, Robert Mazzer, Scott Thomsen, Stuart Jefferies, Tim Harris, Timothy Harris, Zane O’Toole, Zeth Cox
Modlite nominations: Adrian Reinke, Abi Meehan, Alex Coward, Beau Laverty, Brendan Tucker, Callum Beerling, Cameron Lamb, Chae O’Brien, Cruise McVie, Dan Lewis, Donika Gower, Fergus Coutts, Gavin Thomas, Jake McRae, Josh Leerentveld, Kyle Honour, Luke Harrison, Mark Troth, Mark Webster, Mitchell Gee, Mitchell Pammenter, Nathan Politch, Sam Gollschewsky, Sean Rose, Terry Leerentveld, Terry O’Brien, Tim Jackson, Tyson Snow
Open Sedan nominations: Aaron Stone, Ben Harris, Bob Ware, Chris Blackburn, Colin Morris, Declan Brownsey, Drew Craft, George Twin, Jonah Blackburn, Kyle Rolands, Mark Anderson, Matthew Hannigan, Merv Price, Michael Cheeseman, Neil Crawford, Robert Gorman, Ronnie Young, Scott Atkins, Shane Ellis, Shane Wright, Shaun Donnelly, Tim Swart.
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