A huge field of more than 60 drivers from all over the country are preparing to converge on Wahgunyah Speedway over the Australia Day weekend, where they will battle it out for the chance to be crowned the 2017 National Production Sedan champion.
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With five current and former national champions among the robust line-up, including defending title holder Tim Green, Stephen Laidlaw (2002 and 2003), Jacob Mills (2011), Chris Lack (2009) and Rod Musarra (2010), winning this year’s crown will certainly be no easy feat.
The host state will be up against some tough competition, with a large interstate contingent of 32 drivers set to invade the Wahgunyah venue.
Joining Mills in the line-up will be his father, Trevor, along with Young-based racer Brett Norman, who has proven experience at the track after winning the Noel McGrath Memorial at Wahgunyah on Boxing Day.
Former NSW Champion Rodney Anderson, from Albury, will also be a front-running contender.
Leading the local charge will be the Corowa-based Mills, who created history when he became the youngest ever driver to win a national title in 2011.
Based less than 10 minutes from the track, Mills will certainly not be lacking any motivation to launch his national title assault, which is sure to be a strong one.
Another former national champion in Wangaratta’s Chris Lack, who was the winner of the last National Production Sedan title held in Victoria, will significantly strengthen the local line-up, as will SA-based former National Street Stock champion Mark Jennings, who will be represent Albury-based team Patriot Motorsport after a string of recent podium finishes in state events.
Many drivers will hope to use their experience on the Wahgunyah track to their advantage in order to overthrow their rivals to take top honours, including Corowa locals David Walton and Ross Maclean, Wangaratta’s Raymond Ussher and Rutherglen-based youngster Jack Milthorpe.
As the youngest driver in the national title field at the age of 17, Milthorpe isn’t daunted about the massive task ahead.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge for me, going up against some of the best competition from around the country, but it’s definitely one I’m looking forward to,” he said.
With so much talent in the field, the national title event is sure to be action packed, with any number of drivers capable of claiming the victory.
The busy program is set to commence on Australia Day with practice and scrutineering and will continue the following night on Friday with all drivers contesting their first three rounds of heat races.
Saturday night’s action will include a fourth and final round of heat races, C main, B main and the national title-deciding feature race.
Supporting the program on both Friday and Saturday nights will be the GP Midgets and the SSA Junior Sedans, with newly-crowned national champion Angus Hollis among the Junior Sedans nominations, while Late Models will join Saturday night’s program to contest the True Blue 1000 event, with nominations headed by Cameron Pearson and Daniel Barton.
Action begins at 6pm on Friday and Saturday night.
