Speedway season preview

THE 2012-13 Tasmanian speedway season promises to be one of the best on record for decades, particularly in the south of the state, where the Mountain Dew Ice Raceway near New Norfolk will host several major events. The southern circuit has been allocated the grand finale of the prestigious National Super Sedan Series in January, which will see Australia’s best V8 super sedan drivers in full flight.

With 16 of the country’s top speedway V8 sedan drivers contracted for the series, plus additional entries, more than 30 adrenaline pumping V8s could line-up for the Hobart round. Tasmanian interest will be high with current series champion Brad Smith, from Devonport, defending his title, and Hobart’s own Steve Latham, a former state champion, one of the 16 contracted drivers who will contest the 10-round series.

The Hobart grand finale will be held on Saturday night, January 26, following the Carrick round on the previous night. In addition, the weekend will be a mega one for local speedway fans, as racing will also continue on the Sunday night (January 27) with Tasmania’s longest-running speedway feature race, the Mountain Dew Ice Grand National. A number of national series drivers and other mainland contenders are expected to stay over for the event, with the success of last year’s Grand National also playing a part in Hobart gaining the national series final this season.

The Hobart and Latrobe circuits will also join forces earlier in January to present the CJD Equipment Monster Truck Spectacular at Hobart on January 12 and Latrobe on January 19, providing a perfect lead-in to the major V8 super sedan events in the weeks to follow.

MARTIN AGATYN

Mountain Dew Ice Raceway, New Norfolk

2012-13 season calendar

November  3, 2012 - Southern Cross Television Southern Double Header
Sprintcars, Super Sedans, Formula 500s, Bombers, Wingless Sprints, Tassie Sixes, Junior Sedans, Karts, Sidechairs
 

November 24, 2012 - National Pies Sizzler
Super Sedans, Sprintcars, Bombers, AMCAs, Street Stocks, Lightning Sprints, Wingless Sprints
 

December 15, 2012 - Bendigo Bank Christmas Show
Sprintcars, Juniors Sedans, Tassie Sixes, Wingless Sprints, Formula 500s, Street Stocks, Demo Derby, Karts, Sidechairs
 

December 29, 2012 - Mercury Newspaper Fireworks Spectacular
Super Sedans (state title), Junior Sedans, Bombers, Lightning Sprints, AMCAs, Modified Sedans
 

January 12, 2013 - Monster Trucks
 

January 26, 2013 - Mountain Dew Ice Grand National
NSSS Super Sedans, Street Stocks, Bombers, Wingless Sprints, Formula 500, Karts, Sidechairs
 

January 27, 2013 - Mountain Dew Ice Grand National
NSSS Super Sedans, Lightning Sprints, Street Stocks, Modified Sedans, Juniors Sedans (state ritle), Karts
 

February 16, 2013 - Jones Enviro Services Sprintcar Treat
Sprintcars, Bombers, Junior Sedans, Tassie Sixes (state title), Wingless Sprint, AMCAs
 

March 16, 2013 - Juicy Isle Show Down
Super Sedans, Bombers, AMCAs, Tassie Sixes, Street Stocks, Karts (state title), Sidechairs (state title)