by Dean Thompson
Competition returns to the Drouin Speedway this Sunday with a full day of racing headlined by the 'Eliminator Cup' for the open standard saloons.
Drivers in this feature race need to stay in the top eight cars for the first two segments of a three-segment race or be in the top eight cars by the third and final race segment in order to be able to race for the prizemoney on offer.
Along with the featured event will be the popular high-powered unlimited sedans and the modified performance sports sedans, plus junior standard saloons, junior 1200cc sedans and women's standard saloons.
Jeff Blencowe, Josh Kokshoorn, Leigh Gooding, Andrew and Ashley Cormack, Matt Leek, Owen and Harry Cecil, and Kacey Ingram are just some of the competitors in the Eliminator Cup event to keep an eye on.
Ingram, from Warragul, and Blencowe of Bunyip have been at the front of most races they have been in this year in particular whilst the Cecil boys are close to a big open standard saloon victory also.
John Watson, Brendan Sheedy, Anthony Murray, Phil Keep and Joe Otimi represent the Drouin club also in this line-up.
A dozen sports sedans are entered to compete also with the biggest name in the line-up being David Donegan in his 308ci powered Cortina.
Braiden Webster, who has made the step up from junior racing, is keen to make a mark whilst Troy Desmond-Veal, Troy Glassborow, Ray Gould, Bernie Franklin, and Peter Angus are others to watch.
In junior standard saloon racing Tom Braz - fresh off a win at Bairnsdale a couple of weeks ago - is the favourite going into this Sunday's racing.
Braz will be up against Hunter Carey, Chase Ingram, Ella Sheedy, Cooper Joynson, Dyclan Sweet and Bryce Leek amongst others, whilst Cooper Irons and Ashton Joynson make their debuts representing Drouin club also.
Caroline Allen and Bronwyn Miles lead the nominations in the women's standard saloon field.
A number of women are keen to get a victory over the two strongest competitors with the likes of Michelle George, Jo Richardson, Rebecca Glassborow, Maddison Miles, and Kate Stuchbery also hitting the track.
Tasharni Murray and Melissa Van Strien will also represent Drouin Speedway.
Victorian champion Bryce Leek leads the nominations in the junior 1200cc sedans with Riley Taylor, Ella Sheedy, Dayne Murdoch, Chase Doherty, Brad Marshall, and Xander Baxter also some of the challengers zipping around the track in these smaller-sized race cars.
Leek won recently at Bairnsdale and all drivers are keen to get some laps in with the state title not too far away at Bairnsdale.
Rounding out the classes is the unlimited sedans with the Victorian champion Peter Cox the number one driver up against the likes of Peter Farley, Daryl Nicolson, Ian Page, Troy Hutchison, and Anthony McKean.
Any result is always possible, and the unlimited sedans look set to be hotly contested on Sunday.
Gates open from 8:00am. Racing from 11am.
Entry will cost $20 for an adult, aged and invalid pensioner and children 12 to 16 is $15 and children under 12 years of age are free.
A family ticket for two adults and two children aged 12 to 16 will cost $50.
The track is at 140 Main Jindivick Road, Jindivick.
General enquiries can be made to 0422 289 133.