It may not have been a full moon at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway for Round 13 of the KRE Sprintcar Series last night, but there was plenty of crazy, frantic and breath-taking racing action to keep the large crowd entertained. Twenty-nine cars turned up for the show with the Brisbane regular stars joined by Victorian Jamie Veal, North-Queensland based racer Brent Aprile, former Australian Champion James McFadden and Current Australian Champion David Murcott. Murcott and Aprile were two of the strongest performers of the night, leading from the first fall of the green flag in qualifying to sharing the front row for the start of the A-Main. Aprile was leading the main event, with Murcott not holding anything back as he searched for a way past. Disaster struck though when, with only 12 laps to run, both leaders were caught up in the chaos when a lapped car rolled, with neither able to restart the event. Jamie Veal inherited the race lead and led comfortably while James McFadden started his charge towards the front, only to spin in turn four with ten laps to run. Jamie Veal took a hard fought and well deserved win, with Luke Oldfield and Bryan Mann, both of whom had had exceptional runs in the A-Main event, in second and third respectively, while Andrew Scheuerle and Peter Lack completed the top five.

Qualifying got underway on a rather wet track, with the first group eventually able to get their lap times down to the mid-12-second mark. Peter Lack was the best of that first group on the track, but as the track came in more as the qualifying groups progressed, Lack faded back to fifteenth. David Murcott topped the leader board at the end of qualifying, with his time of 11.705 seconds proving to be unbeatable. Brent Aprile was second quickest, stopping the clock at 11.834 seconds, while Jamie Bricknell, again driving the Titan Garages #36 racer, was only a fraction slower with an 11.874 second lap. Jamie Veal and James McFadden, who rounded out the fastest five qualifiers, were the only other cars to break into the 11-second bracket, with Andrew Scheuerle and Brent Kratzmann only narrowly missing a top five spot. Two of the front runners from last weekends show, Luke Oldfield and Mark Pholi, were separated in qualifying by only three thousandths of a second, while further back in the field Bryan Mann and Kevin Titman were separated by just one thousandth of a second, with Melissa Boyes only five thousandths of a second slower.

Heat one got underway with Joel Millar and Melissa Boyes from the front row, with Kevin Titman and Mick Sauer close behind. Boyes, Millar and Titman went three wide across the line and while Boyes was able to pull away a little on the high line to secure the lead, Millar and Titman were left to argue over second. They went into turn one two abreast but when Titman got into the wet mud on the bottom of turn one, contact between the right rear of Titman and left front of Millar sent Millar into the wall on the exit of turn one. It was the first big Sprintcar crash for young Joel Millar, and while he was a little bit shaken, he walked away from the wreck. The Spanloc Tools #3 car however would not be able to take any further part in the nights proceedings. A full race restart followed, with Kevin Titman relegated to the rear of the field for his part in the incident. Paul Rooks, who was originally out of position five, inherited pole position alongside Melissa Boyes. Rooks got the jump on the start and lead the field into turn one, but Boyes fought back hard on the high line and managed to emerge in front by turn two. A small mistake by Rooks in the second corner was all the invitation Mick Sauer needed to slip straight through on the inside, leaving Rooks to try to defend his position from a very hard charging Andrew Scheuerle. Rooks and Scheuerle raced side-by-side for several laps, with Rooks managing to hold onto his position and eventually opening a small margin over Scheuerle. Further back in the field David Murcott and Brent Kratzmann were putting on a breath-taking show, with Murcott soon pulling ahead and leaving Kratzmann and Kevin Titman to argue over the minor places. Melissa Boyes went on to take the win with Mick Sauer and Paul Rooks in second and third. Andrew Scheuerle crossed the line in fourth despite some late-race pressure from David Murcott, who finished in fifth. Brent Kratzmann, Kevin Titman and Matthew Butler rounded out the finishers. Joel Millar did not finish the event.

Heat two started with Anthony Lambert from pole position with Andrew Liebke alongside. Lambert got the jump on the start and immediately set about opening a comfortable margin while Liebke held down second but with Bryan Mann on his tail. Luke Oldfield and Brent Aprile began trying to make their respective ways closer to the front of the field when the race was brought under caution for the spun car of Andrew Marks in turn four. Marks, originally from New Zealand, is a seasoned Sprintcar competitor in his home land, but last night was his first competitive drive in Australia. He has spent the past few years helping Brisbane local Steven Johnson in the Q27 racer and last night drove Johnson’s car with his own engine, shipped from New Zealand. Marks restarted the event at the rear of the field, with Anthony Lambert and Andrew Liebke to lead them away. Lambert had the car dialled in perfectly and quickly opened a sizable lead over the rest of the field, leaving Liebke to contend with Bryan Mann right on his tail tank, and Dan Murray and Luke Oldfield coming on strong. Mann held nothing back, searching high and low for a way past Liebke, while Liebke, still rather inexperienced compared to Mann, drove an almost faultless race. Together the two raced so close for so many laps, in a battle that was fierce, passionate and skilful, but clean and professional at the same time to put on a truly exciting and entertaining battle for the race fans. Not to be outdone, Luke Oldfield joined the battle a couple of laps from home, and with the extra pressure from behind Mann finally found a way underneath Liebke with only three quarters of a lap left to run. Oldfield followed on the final corner but no one had anything for Anthony Lambert. Lambert took the win, with nearly half a lap margin over Bryan Mann in second. Luke Oldfield crossed the line in third with Andrew Liebke officially fourth. Brent Aprile came home in fifth and led Dan Murray, Brad Ayers, James McFadden and Andrew Marks across the line. Tony Michell, who has been experiencing mechanical problems in the NQ12 racer since he returned to Sprintcar competition a few weeks ago, did not finish the event.

Darren Jensen and Terry Bracken shared the front row for the start of heat three, and while the pair raced side-by-side down the main straight it was Bracken who emerged in front on the high side and secured the lead. Jensen settled into second as the rest of the field tried to sort themselves out, but the race was brought under caution when Jamie Bricknell hit the wall coming out of turn four and came to a stop. Bricknell was unable to continue the race but would return trackside later in the evening. Bracken led the restart with Jensen in second and Peter Lack and Ben Hilder close behind. Jensen took to the low line and really stepped up the pressure on Bracken, the pair running two abreast for several corners before Jensen managed to emerge in front. Peter Lack was next in line and only two laps into the restart slipped underneath Bracken as they headed through turn four. Bracken soon found Ben Hilder on his tail, the pair putting on a great show, while Mark Pholi and Jamie Veal were embroiled in their own battle for position while slowly gaining on Hilder and Bracken. With only a few laps remaining Veal ran around the outside of Pholi in turn two before ducking underneath Hilder in turn four, and setting his sights on Bracken. It was shaping up to be a great battle to the chequered flag with Veal having a big look underneath Bracken in turns one and two as they approached the lapped car of James Grady. In the final corner of the race Bracken drifted high, slowing Veal down and opening the door on the low line for Hilder. Hilder didn’t hesitate and quickly slipped straight through in a perfectly timed move to get past both Veal and Bracken, with Pholi trying to go with him. Bracken and Veal recovered well and were able to hold off Pholi as they all raced towards the chequered flag. Darren Jensen took the win, oblivious to the events unfolding behind him, with Peter Lack across the line in second. Ben Hilder crossed the line in third and led Terry Bracken, Jamie Veal, Mark Pholi, David Whell, Dan Moes and James Grady across the line. Jamie Bricknell did not finish the event.

Heat four started with Matthew Butler and Darren Jensen from the front row and while the pair drag raced side-by-side into turn one, it was Jensen who emerged in front and took control of the race. Brent Kratzmann, David Murcott and Brent Aprile were all trying to make their way closer to the front of the field when only a few laps into the race the event was brought under caution for David Whell who had slowed to a stop high in turn four with a flat right rear tyre. Jensen led the restart with Butler in second and Dan Murray close behind, but it was further back in the field where the action was really unfolding. David Murcott and Peter Lack we putting on a spectacular show for the race fans, and while Murcott was relentless, Lack was smooth and consistent whilst slowly gaining ground on the battle between Brent Kratzmann and Dan Murray just in front. Darren Jensen went on to take the win, with Matthew Butler in second ahead of Dan Murray, Brent Kratzmann, Peter Lack, David Murcott and James McFadden. David Whell failed to finish the event while Dan Moes, who has graduated to Sprintcars after a stint in the Wingless Sprintcar division, endured persistent mechanical issues and did not start the race.

Kevin Titman and Anthony Lambert shared the front row for the start of heat five, with Titman determined to make up ground lost in his earlier heat event. Titman started the season exceptionally well, but has struggled with some unfortunate luck the past few meetings, making this later part of the season quite trying for both Titman and his team. Never one to give up though Titman became only more determined to get a win on the board and was quick off the mark when the green flag flew. But it was still the outside row that had better run on the start and Lambert managed to secure the race lead with Titman sitting in second and ready to pounce as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Jamie Bricknell was starting to work his way closer to the front of the field, as Ben Hilder faded and Andrew Marks started to really find his feet and settle into the Q27 car, whilst trying to learn the unique Archerfield Speedway circuit. Kevin Titman stole the lead of the race from Anthony Lambert, while Jamie Bricknell and Luke Oldfield had a fierce battle for position further back in the field. Titman went on to take the win, with Anthony Lambert holding on to finish second and led Luke Oldfield, Jamie Bricknell, Brad Ayers, Mick Sauer, Brent Aprile, Ben Hilder and Andrew Marks across the line. Tony Michell did not finish the event.

Terry Bracken and Andrew Liebke shared the front row for the start of the sixth and final heat of the night. Bracken got the jump on the start with Melissa Boyes quick to follow on the low line to secure second while Bryan Mann began searching for a way past Liebke. Mann wasted little time and quickly ducked underneath Liebke as they headed through turn three for the first time. Paul Rooks and Mark Pholi were close behind, with first Rooks, then Pholi managing to get by on the inside over the next few laps. Little did Liebke know just then but Andrew Scheuerle and Jamie Veal were embroiled in their own intense battle and were now right on his tail. Scheuerle had a look underneath Liebke in turn two, but ran high coming out of the turn, opening the door for Veal to slip straight through. Scheuerle regained his position half a lap later when Veal ran too wide in turn four and was again on the tail of Liebke. Contact between Liebke and Scheuerle in turn one sent Scheuerle towards the fence, where he made contact with the concrete and spun the car, almost tipping onto his side. Scheuerle however managed to get four wheels back on the track and restarted the event from the rear of the field with Terry Bracken and Bryan Mann to lead the field away. Andrew Liebke and Jamie Veal had a great battle mid-field, with Veal passing Liebke before Liebke stole the position back for a couple laps before Veal again moved in front. Liebke spun the Q47 racer in turn three, right in front of the hapless Andrew Scheuerle, and as Scheuerle took evasive action, slight contact between the pair straightened Liebke and allowed him to keep going, with Scheuerle now in front. Terry Bracken went on to take the win with Bryan Mann in second and Paul Rooks eventually getting the better of Melissa Boyes to steal third. Boyes crossed the line in fourth ahead of Mark Pholi, Jamie Veal, Andrew Scheuerle, Andrew Liebke and James Grady.

In place of the usual Dash event Sprintcars Queensland ran a Bronze, Silver and Gold Shootout format with the top eight qualifiers after the heat race action. Qualifiers three to eight hit the track for the Bronze Shootout, a two lap time trial session with the four fastest to progress to the Silver Shootout. Jamie Veal was the clear winner of the Bronze Shootout, stopping the clock at 12.224 seconds, some 0.171 seconds ahead of Andrew Scheuerle in second. Jamie Bricknell and Luke Oldfield also transferred to the Silver Shootout while Paul Rooks and Brent Kratzmann would retire to the infield for the remainder of the Shootouts and would start the A-Main event from positions seven and eight respectively.

David Murcott and Brent Aprile joined Jamie Veal, Andrew Scheuerle, Jamie Bricknell and Luke Oldfield on track for the Silver Shootout, with only the four fastest to transfer to the Gold Shootout. David Murcott beat Jamie Veal by a tiny 0.006 seconds, his time of 12.213 just beating Veal’s 12.219. Brent Aprile and Jamie Bricknell would both transfer to the Gold Shootout, while Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield should start the A-Main event from positions five and six.

For the Gold Shootout the fastest four from the Silver Shootout were inverted, with Jamie Bricknell and Brent Aprile from the front row and Jamie Veal and David Murcott close behind, for the start of the five-lap race. Bricknell and Aprile raced side-by-side into the opening corner, but it was Aprile who managed to secure the lead. Bricknell held second for a lap but soon faded to the rear of the field as both Murcott and Veal came through. Brent Aprile went on to take the win, virtually unchallenged since the opening corner, with David Murcott across the line in second. Jamie Veal and Jamie Bricknell rounded out the field.

Anthony Lambert and Melissa Boyes shared the front row for the start of the 15-lap B-Main event. Lambert got the jump on the start and managed to secure the race lead while Boyes settled into second and Terry Bracken, Brad Ayers, Dan Murray and Kevin Titman argued over third. Towards the rear of the field Matthew Butler and Andrew Marks were having a close battle, with Butler eventually getting by in turn four only moments before Marks spun the Q27 racer and brought about the first of many stoppages in the B-Main event. Lambert led the restart from Boyes, Bracken and Ayers but Ayers quickly came under fire from Kevin Titman. Titman had his sights set firmly on a transfer to the A-Main and was giving it his all in an effort to make the cut. Ayers did a great job in the NQ11 racer, running wheel to wheel with Titman for several laps before Titman managed to slip by on the inside. Ayers then swiftly switched to the low line and was challenging Titman in an effort to steal his position back when the race was brought under caution once more, this time for Andrew Liebke who had spun in turn four. With ten laps left to run it was again Lambert who led the restart with Bracken now up to second ahead of Boyes and Titman. Less than two laps into the restart and contact between Titman, who was on the low line, and Boyes, who was on the high side, brought the race under caution again, with Boyes left stranded on the track and unable to restart the event. Lambert again led the restart with eight laps left on the board. A yellow light stoppage for Brad Ayers soon followed and with time running out, drivers were advised that the race would be declared on the next stoppage. Matthew Butler had been having a great run forward but the next stoppage came only a few laps later when Andrew Marks spun again in turn four, and was clipped by David Whell, who tried to take evasive action but ran out of room. The race was declared on the spot after only twelve laps, with Anthony Lambert given the win. Terry Bracken was officially second with Kevin Titman and Matthew Butler all transferring to the A-Main. Dan Murray finished fifth and led Andrew Liebke and James Grady across the line, with David Whell and Andrew Marks completing the finishers. Brad Ayers and Melissa Boyes both failed to finish the event.

The 30-lap A-Main event was an action packed affair that sure kept everyone entertained. Brent Aprile and David Murcott shared the front row for the start and it was Aprile who managed to secure the lead when the lights went green. Murcott didn’t hold back, the leading duo putting on a truly marvellous show that captivated the attention of the large Archerfield Speedway crowd. Luke Oldfield was on the move, making his way closer to the front, while Jamie Veal bided his time holding down third and staying within reach of the leaders. Kevin Titman at the tail of the field got caught up in some opening lap chaos and pulled out of the event after completing only one lap, while Jamie Bricknell faded quickly in the Titman Garages #36 racer, before slamming the back straight wall on the second lap as he dropped to the rear of the field. Peter Lack, Mark Pholi, Darren Jensen and Matthew Butler were having a great battle towards the back of the field, with Bricknell soon joining the back of the quartet. Peter Lack and Mark Pholi had a fierce battle, with Pholi holding Lack off for several laps before Lack was able to find a way through. Brent Kratzmann, Bryan Mann and James McFadden were having a tight three-way battle, and with Lack closing in fast the competition wasn’t about to get any easier. Mann made his way past Kratzmann while McFadden and Lack fought over track position but it was the racer leaders who commanded attention, with Aprile, Murcott and Veal a formidable trio, separated by only the tiniest margin. Aprile was smooth and consistent as Murcott searched high and low for a way past, whilst also trying to defend his position from a very much in-form Veal. Unfortunately lapped traffic was about to come into play and spelt disaster for both Aprile and Murcott. Jamie Bricknell and Matthew Butler were both involved, with Butler inverting the Q12 car coming out of turn two, right in front of the leaders. Aprile, Murcott, Veal and the rest of the field did what they could, but there was so little time to react and no room to move that both Aprile and Murcott were caught up in the chaos. Butler, Murcott and Aprile were all out of the race, with Jamie Veal inheriting the race lead with just 12 laps to run.

It was not going to be an easy 12 laps for Veal though, and while he may have held the lead when the lights went green, he had Luke Oldfield, Andrew Scheuerle, Bryan Mann and James McFadden right behind him and each driver could now see the race lead was just a couple of positions ahead. Veal led the restart but it was McFadden who stole the show, for the first few laps. Having been quite casual for most of the night McFadden really stepped up the pace, and was all over the back of Bryan Mann, who in turn was all over Andrew Scheuerle. Scheuerle is about as consistent as they come, he’s always right up there in the results and doesn’t surrender positions easily. He simply doesn’t make mistakes so it is isn’t very often you see Scheuerle lose not one, but two positions, in just one corner, when he’s having a textbook run. But one lap into the restart that is exactly what happened when Scheuerle ran mid-track through turn four, with Mann ducking underneath and McFadden around the outside. McFadden tried to run the high side around Mann, keeping the pressure on for the next couple of laps, but once he managed to get just in front of Mann and rapidly switched to the low line in three, he couldn’t quite get the right racing line for turn four and spun the NQ25 racer, bringing the race under caution with ten laps left to run. McFadden tried to climb his way forward again after the restart but there was little he could do in just ten laps with some very tough competition. Jamie Veal went on to take the win with Brisbane locals Luke Oldfield and Bryan Mann rounding out the podium. Andrew Scheuerle crossed the line in fourth with Peter Lack home in fifth after an impressive night in the always immaculately presented #58 racer. Terry Bracken had a brilliant run in the A-Main, crossing the line a very impressive sixth after transferring from the B-main, and led Paul Rooks, Brent Kratzmann, Darren Jensen, Mark Pholi, James McFadden and Mick Sauer. Anthony Lambert, Jamie Bricknell, Brent Aprile, David Murcott, Matthew Butler and Kevin Titman all failed to finish the event.

Sprintcars Queensland will take next weekend off, before returning the following weekend for the massive Easter weekend and the East Coast Logistics Tri-City Challenge. Good Friday, 18 April 2014 will be at Maryborough Speedway, followed by Saturday night, 19 April 2014 at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway and then Sunday night, 20 April 2014 at the Toowoomba Speedbowl. It will be a massive weekend of racing, also incorporating the 2014 Crispy Memorial, and then only a few days rest before the two-night Queensland Sprintcar Title the following weekend at SuperCheap Auto Archerfield Speedway. Five huge nights of frantic Sprintcar racing action in just nine days – it’s going to be big, exciting and exhausting, but it will also be five nights of racing that you will not want to miss. Get yourself trackside over the Eater and ANZAC Day long weekends and see all the action for yourself.