CLOSE to fifty of the fastest Formula 500s will be unleashed this weekend to contest the 2011 Fire
Service Plus Australian Formula 500 Championship.
Action-packed, wheel-rubbing action is guaranteed when the tough little racers tear up the track
at the Goulburn Speedway on Friday and Saturday nights.
Preparations for the
coveted ‘Blue Ribbon’ event are all in place as some of the nation’s best drivers prepare to
converge on Goulburn.
With drivers well represented from each state in the
country, organisers from both the Goulburn Speedway and Goulburn Formula 500 Clubs are pleased with
the final preparations leading up to this prestigious event.
Included in this
year’s nominations is defending and reigning champion Daniel Harding, who will lead a strong WA
contingent and pull out all the stops to keep the Australian ‘number one’ tag on his car.
Several local drivers have also nominated for the title. Ian Burrows, contesting his 12th
Australian title, is one local who will call upon his vast experience of the track.
The former NSW and ACT champion will be highly competitive against some of the more fancied
rivals. Other NSW drivers include Brian Thorley, Kenny Norman, Scott Siemsen, Luca Cox, Matt Hunter
and former state champion Chris Alcorn.
All of these drivers have had some
experience on the Goulburn layout and will be strong contenders throughout the event. The naming
rights sponsor for this year’s Formula 500 Championship has been confirmed as Fire Services Plus.
Managing Director Steve Caunt has both raced and supported many forms of motor
sport in the past and when organisers of this year’s event were seeking a major sponsor, he was
happy to help.
“Having and still racing Formula 500s, this division is one of
the quickest in speedway. When the local Formula 500 club were seeking a naming rights sponsor...I
was more than happy to support the club,” Mr Caunt said.
“This event is the Blue
Ribbon national event of the Formula 500 division, so to get the Fire Service Plus business
recognised on a national level, I couldn’t resist the opportunity,” he said.
Racing will be held over two nights with three qualifying heats to be contested this Friday night,
and a further qualifying heat contested on Saturday night.
The Finals will then
be staged once the qualifying heats have been completed. The fast and furious racing action will
take place on Friday and Saturday night at the Goulburn City Speedway.
Gates
open at 3pm with racing starting at 5pm. Support divisions will compete over the two nights with the
NASR NSW Junior Title being staged on Saturday night.
