Robbie Farr seems to be virtually unstoppable at the moment and last night at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway, amongst a field of very tough competitors, and despite a poor qualifying run, Farr proved what a determined and talented racer he is, taking the win after a breathtaking passing move mid-race. Danny Reidy put in a very solid performance last night and crossed the line in second after a race-long battle with Andrew Scheuerle. Ian Madsen, in his first appearance at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway this season and fresh from a stellar season in America, joined Farr and Reidy on the podium for Round Five of the KRE Race Engines Sprintcar Series. Luke Oldfield and Terry Bracken rounded out the top five.

A wet and tacky track for the qualifying session saw some surprises thrown into the mix as each qualifying group hit the track. The track got faster with each qualifying session but it was Steven Rowell from group five who topped the qualifying order once all 29 cars had hit the track. Kevin Titman has always been good in qualifying, mastering the art beautifully last season, and last night was back in top qualifying form. He stopped the clock at 12.254 seconds when he hit the track in group four, with Rowell the only one able to go quicker with an 12.189 second lap. Luke Oldfield is really becoming a fierce competitor with strong qualifying results and impressive race results. Last night Oldfield stopped the clock at 12.389 seconds to end up third quickest at the end of the qualifying session. Melissa Boyes and Andrew Scheuerle rounded out the top five. Danny Reidy, David Muir, Brent Kratzmann, Ian Madsen and Darren Jensen were next in line but the real surprises were Robbie Farr back in twelfth and Terry Bracken back in sixteenth.

Heat one started with Stephen Greer and Brad Ayers from the front row with Paul Morris and Dan Murray close behind. Ayers and Murray got brilliant starts on the high line, with David Muir quickly following them through to secure third and put pressure on Murray, while Ayers worked on opening a small lead over his rivals. Further back in the field Robbie Farr got caught up behind Paul Morris, with Danny Reidy taking advantage of the situation and slipping by both on the low line as the trio headed through turn two on the opening lap. Farr managed to get past Morris and set out on the tail of Reidy, while Morris faded to the rear of the field. Reidy made short work of Stephen Greer, slipping by almost effortlessly and leaving Greer with Farr right on his tail. Greer drove a great race, holding his own against one of the best in the country and keeping Farr behind him for several laps. While experience did pay off for Farr in the end, all eyes were on Ayers, Murray and Muir as the trio raced ever closer to the chequered flag. Ayers and Murray in particular put on a thrilling show, with Muir ready to strike if either made a mistake. Danny Reidy and Robbie Farr were both closing in fast but ultimately ran out of laps. Brad Ayers went on to take the win with David Muir and Dan Murray crossing the line side by side. Muir managed to cross the line a tiny fraction of second in front, one thousandth of a second to be exact, with Murray officially third. Danny Reidy finished fourth ahead of Robbie Farr, Paul Morris, Stephen Greer, Steven Rowell and James Grady.

Anthony Lambert and Ben Hilder shared the front row for the start of heat two and drag raced side-by-side into turn one. Behind them Brent Kratzmann rode the right rear of Andrew Liebke and collided hard with the main straight wall. Kratzmann was not hurt in the incident but his race was over. The second start was also aborted while third time around Lambert and Hilder again raced wheel to wheel into the first corner, with David Whell close behind. Hilder managed to secure the race lead by the time the leading trio exited turn two and set about extending his lead. Meanwhile Andrew Liebke faded as Kevin Titman and Andrew Scheuerle began to make their way closer to the front. Titman and Scheuerle closed in on Whell, and while it took a few laps, both were able to find their way past. Next on their hit list was Anthony Lambert and second place. Lambert drove an exceptionally strong race, and while Titman and Scheuerle were able to close the gap a little, there was little they could do to reel Lambert in. Ben Hilder was completely untouchable out in front, dominating from the drop of the green to the fall of chequered flag, taking the win with Anthony Lambert across the line in second. Andrew Scheuerle managed to get the better of Kevin Titman in the closing laps of the race and crossed the line in third with Titman officially fourth. David Whell finished a very respectable fifth and led Andrew Liebke, Paul Rooks and Joel Millar across the line. Brent Kratzmann did not finish the race, while Tony Michell, in his first Sprintcar drive in a number of years, endured persistent engine problems all night and did not start the event.

Heat Three started with Mick Sauer from pole position and Mark Pholi alongside and Brodie Tulloch and Terry Bracken from the second row. Sauer got a brilliant start in the immaculately presented Q79 racer and quickly settled into the race lead, with Pholi in second and Bracken a comfortable third. Chaos unfolded behind them though with Brodie Tulloch getting a fraction too sideways in turn two as Ian Madsen and Luke Oldfield were attempting bold outside passing moves. Darren Jensen was running the low line and with little room to manoeuvre there was little he could do to avoid contact with Tulloch. The pair made heavy contact in turn two and while both drove off from the incident, Tulloch ended up in the back straight wall and brought the race under caution. Tulloch was not hurt in the incident but it would unfortunately spell the end of his night of racing. Jensen was able to continue the race, but his car suffered sufficient damage that he spent two laps on the inner bike track after the restart before pulling out of the race. The second attempt at a start was aborted, and Mark Pholi was relegated to the second row for the third attempt, giving Terry Bracken a front row start alongside pole-sitter Mick Sauer. Sauer got a brilliant start and managed to secure the race lead with Bracken forced to settle for second while further back in the field Ian Madsen and Luke Oldfield both slipped by underneath Melissa Boyes. Madsen and Oldfield soon found themselves on the tail of Pholi and began searching for a way past. Pholi drove a strong and consistent race, while Madsen tried to find the right path through. The race was brought under caution once more, this time for Mick Sauer who had spun the Q79 racer in turn two. While Sauer was able to keep the car moving, the lights had already flashed amber and he restarted at the rear of the field. Terry Bracken led the restart from Mark Pholi and Ian Madsen, with Luke Oldfield close behind and keeping Madsen honest. Madsen managed to slip by Pholi when Pholi ran too wide in turn two and while Oldfield tried to follow Madsen through the gap, Pholi recovered enough to close the door. Oldfield stayed on the tail of Pholi, trying to work his way past on the highline, but unfortunately rode the right rear wheel of Pholi as the pair rounded turn two only six laps into the race. Oldfield ended up in the turn two wall and brought the race under caution once more. With storm clouds overhead and a rather impressive lightening show reminding everyone that bad weather was on its way the race restarted without Oldfield with Terry Bracken leading and only four laps left to run. Bracken is hard to beat from the front and went on to take the win ahead of Ian Madsen, Mark Pholi, Melissa Boyes, Mick Sauer, Ron Hendrickson and Rod Wilson. Luke Oldfield, Darren Jensen and Brodie Tulloch all failed to finish the event.

Heat four started with Stephen Greer and Anthony Lambert from the front row, with Lambert getting the better start and quickly securing the race lead. Darren Jensen followed on the highline, eager to make up lost ground after the unfortunate incident in his first heat. Ian Madsen and Mark Pholi both slipped by Stephen Greer, with Kevin Titman also making his way past. Slight contact between Greer and Titman saw Greer spin to a stop on the inside edge of the exit of turn two and unable to take any further part in the race. Anthony Lambert led the restart with eight laps left to run and Darren Jensen and Ian Madsen right on his tail. Jensen searched high and low for a way past Lambert, the two keeping the racing clean while putting on a spectacular show for race fans. Jensen eventually managed to get around the outside of Lambert and steal the lead, while Ian Madsen, who had been patiently watching the duel from a car length or two behind stepped up to put the pressure on Lambert. Lambert was determined though and refused to surrender his position. Darren Jensen went on to take the win with Anthony Lambert managing to hold on to second ahead of Ian Madsen, Mark Pholi, Kevin Titman, Danny Reidy, Paul Rooks and James Grady. Stephen Greer failed to finish the race.

Heat five proved to be an interesting affair. Brodie Tulloch was scheduled to start from pole position but suffered too much damage in the incident in his first heat and did not start the event. This elevated Brent Kratzmann to pole position with Andrew Liebke alongside. Kratzmann got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead with Robbie Farr swiftly securing second and setting his sights on Kratzmann. Behind them the battle for third raged strong with Andrew Liebke holding the position and Brad Ayers and Luke Oldfield both vying for a way past. Ayers ran the low line, Oldfield up high with Oldfield eventually getting around Ayers and setting his sights on Liebke. It took only half a lap, and quick switch to the low line, but Oldfield managed to relegate Liebke back a position and into the clutched of Ayers once more. At the back of the field Steven Rowell and Melissa Boyes were having a great battle, until Boyes tagged the back end of the Q6 racer and spun her own car around, bringing the race under caution. Light rain began falling on the track but racing got back underway with Robbie Farr leading the way from Brent Kratzmann and Luke Oldfield. The race was barely underway when the yellows came out once more, this time for Joel Millar who had come to a stop in turn two. The light spots of rain turned into a persistent shower during the stoppage, and while the race was restarted in the hopes of blowing the top layer of moisture off the track to allow us to continue to race, it proved to be too slippery and dangerous and the race was brought to a stop. Cars and officials retreated to the pit area to wait out the rain, which, fortunately, only lasted a few minutes. In his never give up approach to getting a speedway show run and won in its entirety, Archerfield Speedway Promoter John Kelly waited for the light shower to pass before jumping on the grader, ripping the track and sending the Sprintcars Queensland cars back onto the track to pick up right where we left off.

Heat five, part B hit the track with Robbie Farr leading and four laps to run. Farr was untouchable out in front and quickly opened a sizable lead over the rest of the field. Brent Kratzmann and Luke Oldfield had a close battle for second while Andrew Liebke came under increasing pressure from Brad Ayers. Robbie Farr took the win, with Brent Kratzmann in second and Luke Oldfield across the line in third. Andrew Liebke finished a very credible fourth and led Brad Ayers, Steven Rowell, Melissa Boyes and Joel Millar across the line. Tony Michell continued to experience engine dramas and once again did not start the heat.

Mick Sauer and Paul Morris shared the front row for the start of the sixth and final heat of the evening. Sauer got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead, while Ben Hilder was quick to settle into second. Terry Bracken, Dan Murray, David Muir and Andrew Scheuerle all began to work their way closer to the front, while out in front Sauer pulled off a massive wheel stand in turn two. While impressive to watch, it did cost Sauer his position in the lead of the race. Ben Hilder and Terry Bracken both seized the opportunity to slip by Sauer, leaving the former race leader to defend his position from Dan Murray, Paul Morris, David Muir and Andrew Scheuerle. Morris got past Sauer while Muir found a way past Murray and onto the tail of Sauer. Unfortunately for Muir, Sauer spun the Q79 racer entering turn two, leaving Muir with nowhere to go. Muir collided with the spun car of Sauer and while Sauer was able to restart at the rear of the field, Muir suffered sufficient damage to end his race. Hilder lead the restart from Bracken and Morris but the race between Murray and Scheuerle for fourth is what captivated everyone’s attention. Scheuerle tried everything, searching high and low, while Murray was smooth and consistent, never leaving the door open long enough for Scheuerle to get through. It was a brilliant display of professional, clean racing by both drivers, but while Scheuerle gave it his all there was nothing he could do to get past Murray. Ben Hilder went on to take the win with Terry Bracken in second and Paul Morris in third. Dan Murray finished fourth and led Andrew Scheuerle, David Whell, Ron Hendrickson, Mick Sauer and Rod Wilson across the line. David Muir was unable to finish the event.

Kevin Titman was highest points scorer of the night heading into the dash event. Due to time constraints, the inclement weather that had only recently passed and the threat of more rain on the way, Titman and his fellow Dash contenders, Andrew Scheuerle, Ian Madsen, Steven Rowell, Melissa Boyes and Danny Reidy, gathered in the pits to do the pre-Dash draw for starting positions. Titman made things quick and easy when he draw position one, ensuring the starting order for the dash event remained unchanged. Titman and Scheuerle shared the front row with Scheuerle getting the jump and taking control of the race. Titman settled into second while further back in the field Steven Rowell faded to the rear of the field. There was no stopping Andrew Scheuerle out in front with Scheuerle securing the win and pole position for the A-Main event. Kevin Titman would again join him on the front row after finishing second in the Dash, the hard-charger is in fine form and is certainly ready to stand atop the podium at the end of a nights racing if a little luck goes his way. Ian Madsen crossed the line third in the Dash, with Danny Reidy, Steven Rowell and Melissa Boyes rounding out the finishers.

The 15-lap B-Main got underway with Brad Ayers and Paul Rooks sharing the front row. Ayers managed to secure the lead in the first couple of corners, while Rooks, Lambert and Mark Pholi argued over the minor places and David Whell and Andrew Liebke fought just out outside of the top four transfer positions. Unfortunately though it was not meant to be, with James Grady spinning the Q88 racer in turn four and bringing the race under caution. Everyone took evasive action, but Joel Millar had little time or space to react and clipped the front of the stranded Grady racer. A full restart followed with Paul Rooks this time getting a much better start and quickly securing the race lead. Brad Ayers settled into second with Anthony Lambert right on his tail while Mark Pholi began climbing his way closer to the front of the field. Ron Hendrickson and Andrew Liebke battled over mid-field positions, while Paul Morris and Anthony Lambert exchanged positions and David Whell and Mark Pholi had a great battle for several laps. The race was brought under caution, with nine laps left to run, when Stephen Greer spun in turn two. Both Brad Ayers and Rod Wilson then hit the Greer car and while Ayers continued unscathed, neither Greer nor Wilson would be able to take part in the restart. Rooks, Ayers, Morris and Lambert lead the restart, with Rooks immediately clearing out and earning himself a comfortable lead. Ayers and Morris engaged in an intense battle for second, with Morris eventually getting through, while Mark Pholi was having a beautiful run on the highline in an effort to sneak into the top four and secure a transfer for the A-Main. Mick Sauer and David Whell also had a great battle unfolding mid-field, with Sauer eventually managing to move in front of Whell in a perfectly timed inside passing move through turn two. Paul Rooks went on take the win, with Paul Morris in second and Brad Ayers and Mark Pholi also securing transfers to the A-Main. Anthony Lambert crossed the line in fifth but got his start in the A-Main when Mark Pholi pulled out of the event with engine problems before the event hit the track. Mick Sauer finished sixth in the B-main event and led David Whell, Andrew Liebke, Ron Hendrickson and James Grady across the line. Stephen Greer, Rod Wilson and Joel Millar all failed to finish the journey.

The 30-lap A-Main was well worth the admission price with some of the best racing seen at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway so far this season. Local stars Andrew Scheuerle and Kevin Titman shared the front row, both extremely keen to get a win on the board as they both chase KRE Sprintcar Series Points and Sprintcars Queensland Club Championship points. Scheuerle got the jump when the lights went green, with Titman settling into second and Danny Reidy and Ian Madsen close behind. Terry Bracken, Luke Oldfield and Robbie Farr had already begun to make their way slowly closer to the front, but chaos ensured only two laps into the race when Melissa Boyes got side-ways in turn four and everyone took evasive action. Brent Kratzmann and Paul Morris had nowhere to go and both made contact, while Ben Hilder managed to sneak around the topside and David Muir spun the Q36 Titan to try to avoid contact. Dan Murray and Anthony Lambert came together with Lambert heading hard into the concrete wall and doing significant damage to his new chassis. All drivers were fortunately able to walk away from the crash but Melissa Boyes, Dan Murray and Anthony Lambert were all out of the event. During the stoppage crew were allowed to work on their cars, with Andrew Scheuerle and Kevin Titman also having work done on their cars. Scheuerle and Titman led the restart, but it was clear from the drop of the green that all was not right with the Q59 car of Titman. Titman pulled to the highline in turn two and slowed, letting the field roll past before dropping to the low line. He circulated for a few laps before pulling the car up on the infield, a very disappointing end to what had been a great night of racing. Scheuerle now had Danny Reidy and Ian Madsen right on his tail, with Robbie Farr and Luke Oldfield only a few cars behind. Paul Morris, David Muir and Ben Hilder had a great battle in the back half of the field, with positions changing several times as the laps wore on. Terry Bracken had a brilliant run in the early laps of the race and had now made his way in front of Ian Madsen. Madsen ran the highline, eager to get back past Bracken, but got too high coming out of turn two and slammed the wall entering the back straight. Madsen actually got the entire right side of the car off the ground, wheels up on the back straight fence, before somehow managing to get all four wheels back on the racing surface. The incident barely slowed Madsen down, but it did give Robbie Farr all the invitation he needed to slip on by on the inside while Madsen was getting the car settled on the track once more. Madsen even started closing in on Farr over the next couple of laps, but the race was brought under caution for Steven Rowell who was stopped mid-track on the back straight with extensive front-end damage to the Q6 racer.

With 22 laps left to run Andrew Scheuerle led the restart from Danny Reidy, Terry Bracken, Robbie Farr and Ian Madsen. Farr was searching for a way past Bracken when Madsen nearly managed to slip by on the inside of Farr. Farr fought back and managed to slip underneath Bracken as Luke Oldfield slipped by underneath Madsen. Madsen however was not prepared to surrender his position and pulled off a beautiful slide job in the next corner to steal his position back. Half a lap later and Madsen got past on the inside of Bracken through turn four and while Bracken fought back valiantly and nearly managed to maintain his position, Madsen found some extra drive on the highline and managed to hang on to the advantage. Meanwhile Farr had closed in on Reidy and Scheuerle, slipping by the inside of Reidy in turn four only for Reidy to steal his position back as they headed through turn two half a lap later. Madsen seemed to fade a little and became embroiled in a battle with Terry Bracken, Luke Oldfield and Darren Jensen, but then came on strong in the later half of the race and began making up ground once more. Lapped traffic gave Farr the opportunity he was waiting for and he quickly made his way past not only the lapped traffic, but both Reidy and Scheuerle to secure the race lead. Once in front Farr checked out and opened a sizable lead over his competitors, while Scheuerle and Reidy were left to argue over second and Madsen and Oldfield were arguing over the minor places in a breathtaking two-abreast battle that captivated the crowd. Darren Jensen and David Muir had a great battle mid-field but the race was soon to be brought under caution within sight of the chequered flag. Andrew Scheuerle was attempting to find a way around the lapped car of Ben Hilder when he rode the right rear wheel of the Q95 racer and ended up colliding hard with turn two fence. Scheuerle was not hurt in the crash but would watch the final two laps from the sidelines. Robbie Farr led the restart with Danny Reidy in second and Ian Madsen and Luke Oldfield continuing to argue over the third and final podium position. Farr took the win with Reidy a strong second and Ian Madsen getting the better of Luke Oldfield to cross the line in third. Oldfield finished fourth ahead of Terry Bracken, Darren Jensen, David Muir, Brent Kratzmann, Paul Morris, Paul Rooks and Ben Hilder. Andrew Scheuerle, Brad Ayers, Steven Rowell, Kevin Titman, Dan Murray, Anthony Lambert and Melissa Boyes all failed to finish the event.

Sprintcars Queensland will next hit the track on Boxing Night, Thursday 26 December 2013, at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway. Some American guests will join our local stars and you can guarantee that all our local stars will be keen to show that they have what it takes to mix it with the Americans. Come on out to Archerfield Speedway and cheer on your favourite driver – weather they be one of our local stars or one of our invited guests. Until then, from all of us at Sprintcars Queensland, we wish you and your families and loved ones a happy, healthy and SAFE festive season. We look forward to seeing you all trackside on Boxing Night.