TWIN TITLE TIME AT TOOWOOMBA’S Hi-TEC OILS SPEEDWAY
By David Budden
It’s been a year in the making and took 12 months to arrive at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec-Oils Speedway – twin
Australian Championships this coming weekend, May 2 and 3.
In what will see one of the biggest fields of Late Models and V8 Dirt Modifieds ever assembled to contest their respective National Championships, headed by the defending Late Model National Champion from Western Australia, Kye Blight and the current Australian V8 Dirt Modified Champion Kevin Britten.
The current Super Sedan Australian Champion, Joel Berkley, makes a welcome return to Toowoomba in a Late Model after winning the Prelude to the Australian Title on his Queensland debut two weeks ago. Former National titleholder Callum Harper is back and will also be one to watch this weekend, as will Daniel Cassidy, the current Queensland titleholder. There’s Lachlan Onley, who is always on the pace around Toowoomba and Daniel Bennett, who has been consistent over the summer, winning the Queensland Club Championship.
There are the locals of Zac Hudson and Jordan Cunningham, having had two feature wins this summer.
Jordan has put in some quick laps around Toowoomba’s high banks and is a talent among the 40-car field. This year’s title also takes on an international flair, with American Pierce McCarter from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Pierce and brother Mack compete in and around Tennessee as part of their family team, McCarter Brothers Racing. They compete in a variety of Super Late Model and steel block racing series around their home State. McCarter was in Toowoomba in 2004, when the title was last held here. Again getting the opportunity to race down under, and will pilot the Belk Motorsports Late Model. In 2004, he qualified 13th and made his way to 8th when a mechanical failure stopped his progress.
The highly anticipated V8 Dirt Modified Championship will also be up for grabs, with Kevin Britten putting his title on the line.
An impressive field of 34 drivers and teams arrives in Toowoomba in what is expected to be a highly competitive weekend of racing. The star-studded field boasts some of Australia’s best drivers, including former Australian Champion David Clark, who can’t be ruled out. Other serious contenders include Mark Robinson, who just won the Queensland Championship and Trent Schofield, who will bring their wealth of experience to the event and if you add Toowoomba’s Ray Klarich and Andrew Pezzutti, each bringing their own unique style, adding to the event’s competitive nature.
The weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon with a practice session from 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Then it’s off to the Calcutta at the Glenvale Room at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.
The night will be hosted by Josh Boyd and Jarred Ash, and will include live music from Boyd Ridley.
For the Late Models on Saturday night, there will be time trials first up, then two rounds of heats and two preliminary features. The V8 Dirt Modifieds will also see two rounds of heats and twin Silver Dollar features. Moving to the all-important second night, two Australian Champions will be crowned. The Late models have a final round of heats, the top 8 pole shuffle. The B main followed by the 40-lap Australian Title feature race.
While the V8 Dirt Modifieds have two more rounds of heats, a B Main and a 35-lap sprint to the checkered flag to decide the National Champion for 2026.
This weekend would not be possible without the support of Sweetacres Speckle Park for the Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship and Cush Clothing bringing us the Late Model National Championship powered by Clay-Per-View. There’s a quality support program both nights featuring Street Stocks and AMCA Nationals on Saturday night, Sunday night will see Formula 500s, Junior and Senior. Fireworks and Rollover Cars Ramp Race.
Tickets are selling fast, so to avoid disappointment at the gate, you can buy your tickets online, and if you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on Clay-Per-View. Racing gets underway from 4.30 pm both days.
