Tonight’s Kings Challenge shapes up to be the biggest event on this summer’s Borderline Speedway calendar with a host of big names ready to race for the iconic title.
The Kings Challenge was born at the Mount Gambier oval in 1995 and has become a sought-after prize among the speedway fraternity. Mother nature has claimed the last two editions of the event, but a new king will be crowned with a perfect summer’s night forecast.
The big race is the second round of the Speedway Australia Sprintcar Super Series with no less than $10,000 on the line for the overall champion. A total of $5000 is on offer for the 2021 Kings Challenge winner and around 35 top-class drivers are expected to arrive from all over the country.
Five-time World Series Sprintcar champion James McFadden makes a welcome return to the Limestone Coast and arrives in good form fresh from victory at the Simpson Speedway 360.
Lachlan McHugh and Jock Goodyer have also been winning races in their respective native states of Queensland and Tasmania and hope to outgun their opponents away from home. Locals can look out for usual suspects Glen Sutherland in his black and green machine and Daniel Pestka in the Stark-owned car.
Matt Egel has shown strong form in South Australia and so have Ben Morris and Lisa Walker.
Young charger Joel Heinrich from Renmark recently tasted success at Borderline in Wingless Sprints and now he hopes claim more trophies at the top level.
Late entry Robbie Farr has experienced sprintcar racing in America and Western Australia, while Grant Anderson is also a seasoned campaigner to watch since stepping into his father’s shoes.
This season’s previous Borderline Speedway winners Ryan Jones and David Murcott also return as they aim to continue their happy memories. Some doubt surrounds a couple of entries from New South Wales, but they are expected to greet the starter.
Borderline Speedway president Cary Jennings is revved up for a big night and said it would be the highlight of the 2020-21 season. “I think we are going to have a great night of racing,” he said. “It is the strongest field we have had since COVID first hit us.
“We will have around four heats with nine cars and then a B Main and A Main, which will be great.” Sprintcars are not the only entertainment on the dirt with Junior Sedans and Classic Super Modifieds also on the program.
Fields for the Junior Sedans category were not finalised at the time of print, while 11 vehicles are anticipated for the classic class. Owners from Victoria and South Australia eye the Kings Challenge each year to show off their pristine vintage sprintcars from bygone eras of speedway.
Across the Nullarbor, four South East racers have made the journey to fight for the Western Australian Street Stock Championship this weekend. Mark Jennings, Penola pair Steven Gartner and Megan Cheeseman plus current Australian champion Anthony Beare will compete across two days of racing at Attwell Park Speedway for the number-one title.
With two huge speedway events attracting plenty of local interest, Limestone Coast race fans can strap themselves in for a mega weekend. Gates will open at 4pm, while racing starts from 5pm tonight at Borderline Speedway.
