Exciting news out of Speedway Australia and Speedcars Australia as they announce in a joint statement that a new National series built along the line of the successful World Series Sprintcar Series will begin in November 2013.
This news will be welcomed by race fans that will now be able to watch the best speedcar drivers compete Australia wide.
The announcement is testimony to the fan support the speedcars generate every time they hit the tracks. Over the years there have been many attempts to run successful National Series but the lack of national co-operation from clubs and promoters has always managed to get in the way.
I can remember way back when the Craven Filter National Speedcar Drivers Championship point score series was run bringing together the best of the day but sadly this series like many after it have never been able to be sustained for a variety of different reasons .
Local series like the Lucas Oil Southern Speedcar Tour, the Polar Ice Series, the Powri Lucas Oil Super Series all have received solid local support and hopefully will not be lost with the release of the new National Series.
The new series will start in Western Australia in November and then staging throughout the Eastern States. Planners will need to work closely with State Racing Associations and track promoters to ensure conflicts are avoided with established events, some that have special significance to the clubs and promoters and speedway fans.
If I had any complaint with the recent World Series Sprintcars it would be that some of the WSS events did not attracts all the best as some were already committed elsewhere. Contracted drivers are a sound approach although many of our best were not contracted for one reason or another.
The contracted drivers for this National Speedcar Series will include hopefully the best drivers and consideration might also be given to New Zealanders and possibly one or two from the US who will be still are in their off season. The inclusion of Shane Stewart and Tim Kaeding was a masterful decision of the WSS officials last year.
The National authorities will want to establish this series on our national calendar on dates that gives all competitors the best chance to compete at a National level. The benefits will be seen as more of our talented speedcar drivers are able to reach international standards.
Travelling costs to compete against the best in State events is high and only a strong and well funded and supported series will drag interstate competitors to the events.
The new series will have television support via paid TV and should have a have a well identified naming sponsor. Local promoters should be adventurous with admission charges and not over program the meeting as happens many times.
This can only be seen as a positive step and must be given support across the States. The established drivers will welcome the opportunity and the young and hopefuls will have a target to aim for. The race fans , I can confirm will love it!