The third night of International Sprintcars and the eighth round of the KRE Sprintcar Series unfolded last night at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway with twenty-seven cars ready to put on a memorable show to celebrate the start of 2014. Americans Donny Schatz and Jason Sides joined a strong field of locals with them both once again dominating for most of the night. Sides won the Dash event and this time agreed to accept the Kratzmann Challenge once the bonus prize money was again raised to $4000. Unfortunately for both Sides and Schatz, who would now start the A-Main event from the seventh row with the entire top fourteen starters inverted, things didn’t go quite as planned. Schatz ended up out of the race after being caught up in an incident on the second lap of the race, while Sides, also making contact in the incident, was left with a broken right rear shock for the rest of the race. Sides didn’t let that slow him down though and managed to claw his way into second, occasionally challenging for the lead. Kevin Titman and Terry Bracken both had a turn leading the race, but it was Bryan Mann who quietly made his way into the race lead, and went on to take the win. It was a very welcome change of fortunes for Mann who has endured a couple of awful nights of racing, and big days of rebuilding race cars, since Christmas. Jason Sides managed to climb his way into second and while he occasionally challenged Mann for the lead, having one last big look about three laps from home, he also found himself on the defensive. Luke Oldfield had another spectacular run in the NQ17 racer to join Mann and Sides on the podium while Andrew Scheuerle and Terry Bracken rounded out the top five.

Qualifying got underway and it was Donny Schatz who topped the qualifying order, stopping the clock at 11.771 seconds. Brisbane local Steven Johnson did a truly remarkable job to sit the Brisbane Yamaha second in the qualifying order with his time of 11.824 seconds, only 0.053 seconds behind Schatz. Schatz and Johnson were the only two drivers to break into the 11-second bracket with Andrew Scheuerle, David Muir and Danny Reidy completing the fastest five. The top twenty cars were separated by less than one second but perhaps most surprising of the entire qualifying session was the positions of some of the strongest competitors in the competition. Kevin Titman, Luke Oldfield and Terry Bracken qualified in positions twelve through to fourteen, Bryan Mann and Allan Woods were back in nineteenth and twentieth respectively, while Peter Lack, Mark Pholi and Darren Jensen only just made the inversion for the heats after qualifying in positions 22 to 24 respectively.

James Grady was scheduled to start heat one from pole position, but a small problem getting the Q88 racer started saw Grady take to the start from the rear of the field. Bryan Mann was elevated to pole position alongside Allan Woods but it was Woods who got the best start and quickly settled into the race lead. Terry Bracken tried to follow Woods on the highline but Mann fought back hard and managed to maintain second ahead of Bracken and Luke Oldfield. Donny Schatz and Jason Sides ran two abreast for several laps as they closed in on the tail of Oldfield, the top three placegetters from Saturday nights racing putting on a great show. Schatz dropped back a car length or two, leaving Sides and Oldfield to argue over position while both tried to find a way past Bracken. Sides was working the low line beautifully, but it was a perfectly timed inside passing move by Oldfield that saw him slip underneath Bracken in turn two. Sides followed a lap later while Schatz persisted with the highline, eventually getting around the outside of Bracken as they powered down the main straight. Bryan Mann had been keeping the pressure firmly on race leader Woods, but soon found himself under attack from an exceptionally hard charging Luke Oldfield. Oldfield is still a relative new-comer to Sprintcars, but has certainly adjusted well and is fast becoming one of the toughest competitors in the field. Oldfield never holds anything back and with his eyes set firmly on Mann in second he worked both high and low lines expertly to blast around the outside of Mann with one lap left to run. Oldfield managed to catch Allan Woods and challenge briefly for the race lead but Woods held him off and went on to take the win. Luke Oldfield was officially second ahead of Bryan Mann, Jason Sides, Donny Schatz, Terry Bracken, Brad Ayers, James Grady and Joel Millar.

Heat two started with Darren Jensen and Darren Silcock from the front row with Jensen getting the jump on the start and settling into the race lead. Unfortunately it was not meant be with Melissa Boyes bringing out the reds when she inverted the Q8 racer in turn one. Melissa was not hurt in the incident but was unable to restart the race. Meanwhile Wayne Iacono and Kevin Titman came together on the back straight with Iacono suffering front end damage that brought about a very premature end his night of competition. Titman was able to restart the event but had a damaged main wing and was forced to the rear of the field. A full restart followed with Jensen again getting the jump on the start and opening a small margin over the rest of the field. Paul Morris tried to get by on the inside of Silcock only for Silcock to fight back hard and hold on to his position. Morris soon found his way past Silcock, while Danny Reidy tried to find a way past Steven Johnson as Johnson edged ever closer to Silcock. Reidy bided his time for a couple of laps before running around the outside of Johnson down the main straight before quickly switching to the low line and sliding underneath Silcock in turn one. Reidy immediately pulled away, set on chasing down the race leaders, and left Silcock and Johnson to continue their battle without him. Silcock drove a fantastic race but a small error in turn two gave Johnson all the invitation he needed and he took to the high line and the two cars raced side-by-side for several laps. Darren Jensen went on take the win, never challenged for the lead with Paul Morris in second ahead of Danny Reidy. Steven Johnson managed to get in front of Darren Silcock, with Silcock officially fifth ahead of Nathan McFarlane and Kevin Titman. Wayne Iacono and Melissa Boyes both failed to finish the event.

Mark Pholi and Peter Lack shared the front row for the start of heat three. Lack was always going to be tough to beat from the front row so it came as little surprise when he got the jump on the start and settled into the race lead, with Pholi settling into second ahead of Ben Hilder and Steven Rowell. Further back in the field Andrew Scheuerle began a very methodical climb towards the front of the field. Each move was carefully calculated and skilfully executed as Scheuerle manoeuvred the Ausdeck Patios Q25 racer past Stephen Greer, David Whell and Steven Rowell in quick succession before setting out after Ben Hilder. Scheuerle was quick to close the gap to Hilder, using the whole track to his advantage and before long made his way around the outside of Ben Hilder and started to close the gap to Pholi. Pholi however was having a great run and while Scheuerle was able to gain some ground, Pholi and his team had the car set up beautifully and managed to stay a few car lengths ahead of Scheuerle. David Muir was having a great run from the rear of the field but unexpectedly pulled infield with power steering problems after only five laps. Peter Lack went on to take the win with Mark Pholi across the line in second and Andrew Scheuerle in third. Ben Hilder had a great run in the always immaculately presented Q95 Motorguard Motorsport racer and crossed the line in fourth and led David Whell, Steven Rowell, Stephen Greer and Rod Wilson across the line. David Muir did not finish the race.

Heat four started with the formidable combination of Darren Jensen and Bryan Mann from the front row. Both drivers had pretty average qualifying runs and both were keen to make up lost ground and earn some very valuable points in the final round of heats. Jensen initially got the jump on the start but Mann fought back hard to steal the lead. Jensen however was not prepared to surrender without a good fight and the two raced wheel-to-wheel for several laps, putting on a truly spectacular show for the race fans on the hill and showing true professionalism. The leaders continued to argue over who should lead the race while behind them Paul Morris and Allan Woods were battling over the minor places as Luke Oldfield and Donny Schatz both rapidly approached the tail of Woods. Woods soon made his way past Morris running the low line beautifully in turn one. Oldfield was quick to follow and a lap later managed to get past Woods as well, just as Schatz slipped by the inside of Morris. Schatz was the man to watch though, his smooth style making it look almost effortless as he passed each competitor and closed the gap to Oldfield. Just as Schatz caught Oldfield the pair were right on the tail of Mann and Jensen and their battle for the race lead. Lapped traffic was beginning to play its part, but all eyes were on Schatz as he weaved his way past Oldfield and then slipped underneath Jensen in the final corner of the race to steal second. Bryan Mann would be first to greet the chequered flag, with Donny Schatz in second and Darren Jensen third. Luke Oldfield finished a very respectable fourth and led Allan Woods, Paul Morris, Brad Ayers, Darren Silcock and Rod Wilson home.

Heat five started with Mark Pholi and Melissa Boyes from the front row, with Terry Bracken and Kevin Titman right behind. Mark Pholi got a great start in the Q14 racer and quickly settled into the race lead. Bracken tried to go with him but Boyes fought back hard and managed to hang on to second. Steven Johnson was starting to make his way forward, slipping by on the inside of Stephen Greer down the main straight. Unfortunately the race was soon brought under caution when Melissa Boyes and Kevin Titman became tangled and stranded in turn two. Boyes was unable to restart the event. Pholi led the restart from Bracken and Jason Sides, with Bracken really putting the challenge to Pholi on the restart and the luckless Kevin Titman trying to work his way from the rear of the field. Joel Millar spun the Q3 racer in turn two and brought the race under caution once more, this time with eight laps left to run. Pholi and Bracken continued to lead on the restart, but for the first few laps all eyes were on Kevin Titman as he ran around the outside of Steven Johnson before ducking underneath Stephen Greer. A few laps later Johnson made his way past Greer as well in a perfectly timed inside passing move in turn three, but the real action was at the front of the field where Sides was making his presence known to both Bracken and Pholi. Before long Sides had made his way into the race lead and began opening a small margin over the other competitors. Jason Sides went on to take the win ahead of Mark Pholi, Terry Bracken, Kevin Titman, Steven Johnson, Stephen Greer, Joel Millar and Nathan McFarlane. Melissa Boyes did not finish the race.

Steven Rowell and Peter Lack, both hard chargers and exceptionally fast with a clear track in front, started heat six from the front row, with Ben Hilder and David Muir right on their tail tanks. Rowell and Lack raced side-by-side into turn one but it was Lack who found some extra drive on the highline and managed to secure the race lead. Clearly the highline was the place to be with Danny Reidy seemingly coming out of nowhere (actually position six) and blasting around the high line in the opening corners of the race. Reidy had the NQ5 car flying and had secured third by the time the race was two corners old. David Muir actually lost a lot of ground in the second corner with many concerned his power steering problem may have returned. Muir however soon recovered and began chasing Ben Hilder as the two, along with Rod Wilson, fought for position. Muir took to the highline and within a couple of laps had managed to put Wilson and Hilder behind him and set out after the leaders. Muir had incredible speed on the highline, while behind him Andrew Scheuerle was closing in fast. In the closing few laps of the race Muir tried to challenge Reidy for second but ultimately ran out laps. Peter Lack went on to take an untroubled win, with Danny Reidy second ahead of David Muir, Andrew Scheuerle, Steven Rowell, Ben Hilder, David Whell and James Grady.

Donny Schatz was highest points scorer of the evening heading into the Dash event and in the pre-dash draw selected position four to start from. Danny Reidy and Jason Sides ended up on the front row for the Dash event, with Andrew Scheuerle and Donny Schatz right behind and Steven Johnson and Luke Oldfield rounding out the field for the start. With double KRE Sprintcar Series points on the line, and the real possibility that the top fourteen starters for the A-Main event would be inverted if an American won the Dash and accepted the Kratzmann Challenge, Series contenders Danny Reidy and Andrew Scheuerle in particular knew they had to do whatever they could to win the event. Reidy got a great start from pole position, but the highline was still faster and Sides secured the race lead, with Schatz quickly settling into second. Reidy gave it his all but ultimately there was little he could do but try to defend his position from Scheuerle and Oldfield as Johnson trailed a few car lengths behind. Jason Sides went on to take the win with Donny Schatz across the line in second ahead of Danny Reidy, Luke Oldfield, Andrew Scheuerle and Steven Johnson. On Saturday night faced with the same decision, to accept the Kratzmann Challenge and start from position fourteen or to remain at the front of the field, Sides decided to decline the Challenge, despite the bonus prize money being increased from $2000 to $4000. Last night, when faced with the offer of accepting the Kratzmann Challenge for an extra $2000 prize money should he or Schatz win the A-Main event, Sides again declined. The offer was increased to $3000 with Sides again declining but agreeing that if the offer was made the same as last Saturday night, $4000, he would accept the challenge and invert the field. After a moments hesitation Archerfield Speedway promoter John Kelly agreed to the $4000 bonus and the top fourteen starters in the A-Main event were inverted. Terry Bracken and Kevin Titman instantly became two of the happiest competitors in the pits, each being granted a front row start for the main event after a somewhat tumultuous week. Sides also elected to add 5 laps to the race distance, making it a 40-lap affair.

Nine cars took the track for the 10-lap B-Main event, with the top four finishers to transfer to the back of the A-Main grid. Mark Pholi and Allan Woods shared the front row, with Darren Jensen and Paul Morris out of row two. Woods got the jump on the start and once he had settled into the race lead he began opening a small lead over Pholi in second. Darren Jensen put all sorts of pressure on the back of Pholi and the pair had a race long battle, with Paul Morris occasionally getting his nose in on the action too. Nathan McFarlane and James Grady had a great battle mid-field with McFarlane soon securing the advantage and running away to close in on Morris. The yellow lights came on only a few laps later for the spun car of Joel Millar in turn two. Woods led the restart from Pholi, Jensen and Morris and while both McFarlane and Darren Silcock each had a look at getting past Morris as the laps wore on, there was little they could do to get past. Allan Woods went on to take the win, with Mark Pholi, Darren Jensen and Paul Morris all earning transfers to the A-Main event. Darren Silcock came on really strong towards the end of the race but couldn’t quite find a way past Morris and finished fifth. He led James Grady, Rod Wilson, Joel Millar and Nathan McFarlane across the line.

Terry Bracken and Kevin Titman lined up alongside each other for the start of the massive 40-lap A-Main event. Both are very talented racers, especially from the front, and both are long overdue for a feature race win, but a win is never easy, and a win in last nights event was certain to be hard fought. Titman managed to secure the lead when the lights went green, with Bracken settling into second but staying right on Titman, ready to move if even the slightest opportunity presented itself. David Whell and Stephen Greer had shared the second row for the start of the race, and while both are still new-comers to Sprintcars they too are very capable drivers. At the front of a very strong field of highly experienced competitors both Whell and Greer did a truly magnificent job. They each held their own and ran smooth and consistent lines, maintaining their position and running a strong race. Brad Ayers and Bryan Mann were trying to find a way past Greer, while further back in the field Andrew Scheuerle and Peter Lack came together on the back straight as they each tried to navigate the traffic and make their way closer to the front. Fortunately for both, and the rest of the field around them, they were able to continue on without a serious incident or stoppage. Brad Ayers was attempting an outside pass on Stephen Greer, while further back in the field Steven Johnson was working the low line to get underneath Danny Reidy and David Muir. Muir was on the low line, with Johnson right behind while Reidy tried to run the highline. Unfortunately things went pear shaped and the race was brought under caution when Johnson got the Q27 racer a fraction too sideways in turn three. Danny Reidy and Luke Oldfield, who had both been on the highline, managed to get past unscathed, but Andrew Scheuerle, who had been on the low line behind Johnson had nowhere to go and little time to react. Scheuerle collided with Johnson, while Sides clipped the front end of the Q25 car of Scheuerle. Sides managed to drive off, but Donny Schatz was right behind him and with nowhere to go, collided with Scheuerle. Schatz suffered enough damage to see him relegated to the infield for the rest of the race, while Johnson and Scheuerle restarted at the rear of the field and Sides persisted with a broken right rear shock.

Kevin Titman led the restart from Terry Bracken and David Whell, as Bryan Mann began his quite climb towards the front, Jason Sides and Luke Oldfield began to move forward and Stephen Greer began to fade back through the field a little. David Muir and Danny Reidy both had brilliant runs on the high line but Sides and Oldfield came on exceptionally strong and used the whole track to their advantage as they weaved through the traffic. The race was soon brought under caution so officials could remove a broken crash bar from the racing surface.

With 35-laps left to run Kevin Titman led the restart from Terry Bracken and Brad Ayers. When the lights went green Bracken put the challenge to Titman and the fight was on for the race lead, while further back in the field Danny Reidy again took the highline and began making progress towards the front of the field. Sides worked the low line, as did Muir, while Bryan Mann and David Whell were up high. Whell had a particularly good run out of turn four to really put the challenge to Sides and Muir while at the front of the field Bracken was working the low line on Titman and managed to steal the lead and the pair had a two wide battle that lasted a couple of laps. Titman switched to the low line only to find Brad Ayers having a massive run on the high side and challenging him for second. Ayers actually managed to steal second from Titman before Titman fought back and regained his position, just as Jason Sides and Bryan Mann approached the back of Ayers in the NQ11 racer. Ayers had a brilliant run until he ran too wide in turn four and lost several positions, but recovered well and rejoined the race but faded as the laps wore on. It was hard to know where to look and who to watch, so many drivers were putting on a brilliant show, but it was hard to go past Jason Sides and his damaged car as he crept ever closer to the front. Sides had made his way into second, behind Terry Bracken, and held nothing back as he challenged for the lead. The leaders had a breath-taking battle for several laps with Bryan Mann also throwing his hand in the mix and stealing the lead not long before the race was brought to a stop. Brad Ayers had inverted the NQ11 racer on the main straight after contact with Darren Jensen and while Brad was not hurt in the crash, his night had ended on a rather disappointing note.

Bryan Mann led the restart and it was game on with Jason Sides and Luke Oldfield right behind him. Sides and Oldfield both gave it their all and the trio really did put on an incredible show for race fans with both Sides and Oldfield pushing Mann all the way to the line. Kevin Titman found himself with David Muir and Danny Reidy right on his tail, with Andrew Scheuerle also coming on strong. Bryan Mann went on to take the win with Jason Sides an impressive second and Luke Oldfield another strong and consistent third. Andrew Scheuerle is rarely far from the top of the podium and last night was no exception, Scheuerle crossing the line an impressive fourth after being relegated rear of the field two laps into the race. Terry Bracken ran a great A-Main race and crossed the line in fifth. Danny Reidy, who is becoming remarkably consistent when fortunes are not against him, finished in sixth and led Peter Lack, David Muir, Darren Jensen, Kevin Titman, Stephen Greer, Allan Woods, Paul Morris, Steven Johnson and David Whell across the line. Brad Ayres, Mark Pholi and Donny Schatz all failed to finish the 40-lap event.

Sprintcars Queensland and our American Guests Donny Schatz and Jason Sides will return to SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway on Saturday 04 January 2014 where they will be joined by some of Australia’s best and perhaps a couple of extra Americans when World Series Sprintcars comes to town. Can our local stars beat the best in land? Will Donny Schatz and Jason Sides continue to dominate? Or will one of the WSS get the win on Saturday night? Come along and cheer on your favourite driver whether they be a Queenslander, Interstate or American guest. If the past three nights of racing is anything to go by it will certainly be a show not to be missed. Get yourself trackside and see the action for yourself and then pop on down to the pits and meet the stars and see the cars up close. Please remember though, the BOM are predicting some pretty hot temperatures for Saturday so remember hats and sunscreen and plenty of fluids. We hope everyone has had a great festive season so far and we hope to see you all trackside on Saturday night.