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.