V8 MUSCLE ON SHOW AT AMRS WAKEFIELD PARK THIS WEEKEND

PRESS RELEASE/AMRS Australian Motor Racing Series – photo: supplied

An assortment of V8-powered categories will be the headline acts for this weekend’s fourth round of the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) at Wakefield Park.

Following a crowd-pleasing appearance at Winton’s premiere AMRS round in March, the Performax TA2 Muscle Car Series returns to the program with the top three drivers Russell Wright, Hugh McAlister and Ashley Jarvis separated by just 16 points after the first four rounds of the series. Also on the entry list is Aaron Seton – son of Australian touring car legend Glenn – who dominated the previous round of the series at Queensland Raceway.

The Stock Cars and Aussie Racing Utes will run in a combined field with the Outlaw V8s and Group 4/Super 6 Touring Cars. Michael and Steve Coulter have entered their OzTrucks, and will compete against the likes of David Hender, Brian Walden and Shane Harris in the Stock Car category.

The Utes have been boosted by a couple of Ford entries from Bruce Oaklands and Denis Cribbin, who join the Holdens of Clint Henderson, Wayne Williams and current points leader Richard Mork.

The Group 4/Super 6 Touring Cars and Outlaw V8s have attracted various Holden and Ford race cars, including the V8 Commodores of Victorian Super TT regular Michael Rice, Euroa driver Glen Postlethwaite and former Kumho V8 Touring Car driver Derek Hocking, and six cylinder Fords for Ian Chivas, Brent Edwards and Brendan O’Connor.

Other categories on this weekend’s program have recorded season-best fields with the Mazda RX8 Cup and GT-1 Australia both presenting 18-car fields, and 24 Legend Cars set to take to the track.

While the RX8 Cup honours will likely be fought out between experienced racers such as Ric Shaw and Stephen McLaine, the affordable one-make series continues to entice motorsport newcomers, including 18-year-old female Canberra racer Maisie Place, who makes her debut this weekend.

The GT-1 Australia championship is set for a shake-up, with points leader Jake Camilleri reverting to a MARC Gen I car after the MARC II Mustang – in which he dominated the opening two rounds – was sold to fellow competitor Adam Hargraves. Camilleri’s closest rival is Audi R8 driver Matt Stoupas, while John Goodacre is third in the standings after consistent results in the opening two rounds.

Following a hefty crash at Sydney Motorsport Park in early July, Rod Salmon’s Audi has been repaired and while he is still recovering from injury, Salmon has announced he will run in Friday practice before deciding upon his participation in the meeting.

James Burge’s incredible Legend Cars winning streak was finally broken in the previous round at Morgan Park, but he still holds a handy points buffer over Brendon Hourigan and Ben Jagger. Zane Morse will also be among the front-runners – he chalked up a race win at Morgan Park, and is campaigning a brand-new car this weekend.

Chad Cotton’s decision to forgo the Miniature Race Cars round and concentrate on his TA2 campaign has opened the door for Craig McWhite, Jase Collins and Peter Griffiths to fight for the MRC championship, while the IROC Challenge is another category with its largest field of the season, Stan Adler joining the grid along with former GT3 Cup Challenge racer Terry Knight.

Rounding out the program will be Formula Vee, with front-running NSW drivers such as Dylan Thomas and John McDonald taking the opportunity to participate at a national-level race meeting.

For all our news keep your eyes peeled on the Velocity Magazine website and social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our daily updates and to get the latest edition of our glossy magazine subscribe here from just $55 for 6 issues.