Challenging track conditions at AusDeck Patios and Roofing Archerfield Speedway set the scene for a thrilling night of Sprintcar racing last night. Round one winner and current Australian Champion David Murcott was back, looking to make it two from two, while Brisbane locals Andrew Scheuerle, Luke Oldfield, Bryan Mann and Brent Kratzmann, who all had brilliant runs in the opening round a fortnight ago, were all keen to move closer to the top of podium. Joining the field for the first time this season was Danny Reidy and Robbie Farr, both of whom have already secured some impressive results in Sydney this season. The addition of Reidy, with his striking new war-paint, and Farr to an already strong field, guaranteed a breath-taking night of Sprintcar racing action. Farr went on to take the win at the end of the A-Main after a truly brilliant start from position three, with Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield joining him on the podium and Danny Reidy and Bryan Mann rounding out the top five finishers.

Qualifying brought some interesting results with difficult and windy track conditions playing their part. Brisbane local Paul Rooks hit the track in the second qualifying group and stopped the clock at a quick 11.443 seconds. Track conditions deteriorated quickly and with none of the rest of the field able to better his time, Rooks secured quick time in qualifying to lead the points chase early on. Robbie Farr and David Murcott came close, recording times of 11.506 and 11.526 respectively. Bryan Mann and Danny Reidy rounded out the fastest five qualifiers, recording times of 11.779 and 11.787 seconds, with Andrew Scheuerle, Luke Oldfield, Ben Hilder, Mark Pholi and Kevin Titman rounding out the top ten. Kristy Bonsey, running a 360ci engine qualified an impressive 16th, while fellow 360ci racer Nelson Reddacliff, having only recently stepped up from racing Wingless Sprints, qualified 18th quickest. Brad Ayers made his season debut in Brisbane, after running the past couple of shows in Sydney, but things didn’t exactly go to plan for the NQ11 racer. Ayers up-ended the racer on the first of his qualifying laps, and while Brad was not physically hurt in the crash, it did leave him without a qualifying time and forced to fight from the rear of the field all night.

Heat one started with Jason Bottin and Steven Rowell from the front row with Rowell securing the lead quickly after the lights went green. David Whell from position five had a big look up the inside of Dan Moes and Dan Murray, while Luke Oldfield took the high line. Andrew Scheuerle was trying to make the low line work to his advantage, but the race was soon brought under caution when David Whell spun the immaculately presented Q23 racer in turn four on the opening lap. A full race restart followed, with Rowell again getting a great start on the outside. Andrew Scheuerle however was on a mission on the low line and made his way past Dan Moes and Dan Murray before they hit turn two. Scheuerle set his sights on Jason Bottin, while further back in the field Luke Oldfield took to the highline and put on a spectacular show for race fans. Oldfield made his way past both Murray and Moes, while Scheuerle ran around the outside of Jason Bottin to steal second. Scheuerle began closing the gap to race leader Rowell, while Dan Murray and Dan Moes had a brilliant race for the minor places. Andrew Scheuerle eventually took the win, after relentlessly running the high line to get around Rowell in the closing laps of the race. Steven Rowell finished an impressive second, the battle with Scheuerle in the last couple of laps a real spectacle for the people on the hill, fast, clean, two-abreast racing that was captivating to watch. Luke Oldfield finished in third ahead of Dan Murray, Jason Bottin, Paul Rooks, David Whell, Dan Moes, Nelson Reddacliff and Brad Ayers.

Jason Pryde and Anthony Lambert shared the front row for the start of heat two, with Pryde quickly securing the race lead when the green flag flew. Brent Kratzmann got a brilliant start from position four, gaining a couple of car lengths on Stephen Greer, who had started from position three, before they entered turn one. Kratzmann swiftly switched to the low line and slid underneath Lambert, the pair racing side-by-side down the back straight until Kratzmann emerged in front by the time he entered turn three. Meanwhile at the tail end of the field, Danny Reidy was sensational on the low line, running the gutter underneath Brock Dean and Robbie Farr in turn one, and then past the inside of Stephen Greer and Ben Hilder in turn two. Hilder followed him out of turn two and by the end of the straight the pair had gained a couple of car lengths on the rest of the field and had Anthony Lambert in their sights. As Reidy, Lambert and Hilder existed turn four, they went three wide, with Reidy still on the bottom, Lambert sandwiched in between and Hilder running brilliantly on the high line. Robbie Farr seemingly effortlessly switched between the high and low line as he weaved his way past less experienced rivals, while Brent Kratzmann and Danny Reidy closed in on the tail of race leader Jason Pryde. Pryde put up a good fight, but ultimately there was no stopping Kratzmann who was strong, fast and consistent on the low line, eventually pulling off an inside passing move to steal the lead. Danny Reidy followed soon after, while further back in the field Lambert and Dean had a thrilling battle for the minor places. The race was brought under caution when Pryde looped the #51 racer in turn four, and while Farr took evasive action, he made contact with both Pryde and the turn four wall. Both cars were able to keep moving the yellow lights had already been thrown on and the race brought under caution. Pryde was relegated to the rear of the field for the restart with Brent Kratzmann and Danny Reidy to lead them away for a two-lap sprint to the finish. Brent Kratzmann went on to take the win with Danny Reidy across the line in second and Robbie Farr in third. Ben Hilder finished an impressive fourth and led Brock Dean, Stephen Greer, Anthony Lambert, Jason Pryde, Brandon Haynes and Dave Fanning across the line.

Heat three saw Brandon Burrows and Steven Johnson start from the front row, with Kristy Bonsey and Mick Sauer close behind. Burrows got a great start and quickly settled into the race lead, while Kevin Titman charged up the inside from position five to slip underneath Bonsey, while Sauer shifted from the highline to the gutter in an attempted run underneath second-placed Steven Johnson. Sauer was having a brilliant run on the low line, attempting a pass on Burrows for the race lead, when Burrows spun the Q39 racer in turn two. The rest of the field did all they could to avoid contact with the stranded car, but there was little David Murcott could do. Murcott suffered a flat left rear tyre and was unable to take part in the restart. With Burrows relegated to the rear of the field for the full race restart, it was Kristy Bonsey who found herself in pole position, with Steven Johnson alongside. The pair of 360ci racers from the front row, lead the field of 410s to the green with both getting brilliant starts. Bonsey secured the race lead on the low line, but Johnson pushed hard on the high side while Kevin Titman began searching for a way past. Bonsey and Johnson came together in turn four when Johnson rode the right rear of the #42 car, sending Johnson towards the turn four wall. Johnson quickly faded to the rear of the field, while Titman seized the opportunity and slipped underneath Bonsey and into the race lead. Bryan Mann, Mark Pholi and Mick Sauer quickly followed over the next few laps, but no one had an answer for Titman out in front. A yellow light caution with just two laps left to run, for the spun car of Steven Johnson in turn three, left a green-white-chequered sprint to the finish. Kevin Titman and Bryan Mann led the restart and were untouchable out in front, while Mick Sauer tried to challenge Mark Pholi but couldn’t quite get the job done, while further back in the field Kristy Bonsey, Andrew Liebke, Allan Woods, and Steven Johnson battled it out towards the tail of the field. Kevin Titman took the win with a margin of almost two seconds over second-placed Bryan Mann. Mark Pholi managed to hold off Mick Sauer to finish third, with Sauer officially fourth ahead of Kristy Bonsey, Andrew Liebke, Allan Woods, Steven Johnson and Brandon Burrows. David Murcott did not finish the event.

Jason Pryde and Dan Moes shared the front row for the start of heat four, with Pryde getting the better start and quickly securing the race lead when the lights went green. Luke Oldfield made ground early, making the most of his inside row starting position and advancing quickly on the bottom of the track. Kevin Titman was remarkable on the high line, and he and Oldfield had just lined up what was set to be a three wide pass as they moved either side of Dan Murray. The race was however brought under caution for the spun car of Brock Dean in turn four. Jason Pryde led the restart with eight laps left to run and Stephen Greer in second. Robbie Farr quickly made his way past Dan Moes and Kevin Titman, and had just relegated Luke Oldfield a position further back when the race was brought under caution for the spun car of Stephen Greer. Jason Pryde again led the restart, this time with Luke Oldfield and Robbie Farr on his tail, and six gruelling laps left on the board. Farr made his way underneath Oldfield to steal second and set out after Pryde, while Dan Murray and Kevin Titman had a great battle mid-field running two-wide for several laps. Another yellow light stoppage for Stephen Greer who had spun in turn three, and it was another two-lap sprint to the chequered flag. Jason Pryde managed to hang on to take the win, with Robbie Farr across the line in second and Luke Oldfield home in third. Kevin Titman, Dan Murray, Brock Dean, Brad Ayers, Dan Moes and Nelson Reddacliff rounded out the finishers. Stephen Greer did not finish the event.

Heat five started with Andrew Liebke and Anthony Lambert from the front row and Steven Rowell and David Whell close behind. Liebke and Lambert drag raced side-by-side into the opening corners, with Lambert emerging just in front by the time they arrived at the second corner. David Whell was running two abreast with Steven Rowell but again the outside line seemed to have more speed and it looked as though Whell was going come out in front. Unfortunately though the race was soon brought to an abrupt stop when Sprintcar new-comer Dave Fanning rode the wheel of the #64 Paul Rooks racer and inverted the magnificently presented #89 car in turn one. A full restart followed and while the leading duo again drag-raced to the first corner, it was Liebke who emerged in front this time and took control of the race. Steven Rowell also got a better run second time around, but it was hard not to watch David Murcott as the current Australian Champion took to the high line. Murcott had just made his way into second when Steven Rowell spun in turn four and brought the race under caution. Andrew Liebke led the restart with David Murcott right on his tail and still eight laps left to run. Murcott instantly took to the highline and, while it took several laps, and Liebke fought valiantly on the low half of the track, Murcott managed to pull off a beautiful pass on the outside to steal the race lead. Bryan Mann tried to follow Farr, running the high line beautifully as Liebke remained fast and consistent mid-track, but when David Whell spun the Q23 racer entering turn four, Ben Hilder took evasive action and clipped the wall, inverting the Q95 Motorguard Motorsport racer. Ben was not hurt in the crash, but his crew had a big task ahead of them if he were to make it back trackside for the feature events. With five laps left to run it was David Murcott who led the field to the restart, with Bryan Mann and Andrew Liebke next in line. Paul Rooks, Anthony Lambert and Steven Rowell had a battle for mid-field positions, even racing three wide on occasion, but there was nothing anyone could do to stop David Murcott. Murcott went on to take the win with Bryan Mann across the line in second ahead of Andrew Liebke, Paul Rooks, Steven Rowell, Anthony Lambert, Brandon Haynes and David Whell. Ben Hilder and Dave Fanning did not finish the event.

Steven Johnson and Jason Bottin lined up alongside each other as the front row for the start of the sixth and final heat of the night. Johnson got a brilliant start, quickly securing the race lead and opening a small margin over the rest of the field by the time he exited turn two. Mick Sauer ventured to the highline occasionally but Andrew Scheuerle from the rear of the field was the only driver consistently on the high line is those opening few laps. Scheuerle committed to the high line and seemed to find something extra up there as he blasted around his competition almost as if they were standing still. First was Danny Reidy as they rounded turn three for the first time, followed in quick succession by Brent Kratzmann, Kristy Bonsey, Mark Pholi, Mick Sauer and Jason Bottin all in less than one lap. Scheuerle was most certainly a man on a mission and the next target in his sights was race leader Steven Johnson. As Scheuerle began to close the gap to Johnson the mid-pack scramble between Mark Pholi, Jason Bottin and Brent Kratzmann captivated everyone’s attention. All too soon and Scheuerle was right on the tail of Johnson and the battle that unfolded between the two was difficult to ignore. Johnson was running the high line beautifully, with Scheuerle forced to switch to the low line in order to find a way past. Johnson, with a gutsy little 360ci engine on board, was strong, fast and consistent, allowing Scheuerle plenty of racing room but certainly not prepared to surrender the lead without a mighty big fight. Scheuerle seemingly effortlessly switched to the low line and was relentless in his pursuit of the race lead. Lap after gruelling lap the pair fought over the lead, with Johnson eventually emerging just in front of Scheuerle and both cars then running the highline. But with the white flag in their air Scheuerle made his move, a perfectly timed quick change from the highline to the low, slipping underneath Johnson in turn one. Johnson fought back hard as the pair rounded turn two, and the pair raced side-by-side down the back straight and through turn three. Andrew Scheuerle managed to secure the led, and the race win, by the fall of the chequered flag, with Steven Johnson a very impressive second. Mick Sauer crossed the line in third ahead of Mark Pholi, Danny Reidy, Brent Kratzmann, Jason Bottin, Kristy Bonsey and Allan Woods.

Andrew Scheuerle was highest points scorer going into the dash event, but uncharacteristically, drew position six in the pre-dash draw to determine the Dash starting positions. Luke Oldfield and Paul Rooks would share the front row of the starting line-up for the Dash, with Danny Reidy and Robbie Farr from the second row and Bryan Mann joining Scheuerle at the rear of the six-car field. Oldfield, Reidy and Mann all got brilliant starts on the inside row, and quickly secured first, second and third respectively when the lights went green. Robbie Farr was keen to move forward and swiftly made his way into fourth before challenging Bryan Mann for position. There was however no stopping Luke Oldfield out in front, with Luke going on to take the win and earn Pole Position for the A-Main event. Danny Reidy finished a strong second and would start the A-Main from the outside of the front row, with Robbie Farr, Bryan Mann, Andrew Scheuerle and Paul Rooks rounding out the Dash event finishers.

The 15-lap B-Main event started with Steven Rowell and David Whell from the front row and Kristy Bonsey and Jason Pryde right on their tail tanks. With only the top four to transfer to the A-Main it was set to be an exciting and action packed race. Rowell got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead with David Whell close behind. Steven Johnson had a brilliant run on the low line from position five while Andrew Liebke ran around the outside from position six as the pair went either side of Kristy Bonsey for some three-wide action on the opening lap of the B-Main. Further back in the field Nelson Reddacliff had a brilliant run on the low line, passing Stephen Greer, Jason Bottin and Anthony Lambert in the space of one lap while running the gutter. Next in his sights was fellow 360 racer Kristy Bonsey, with the pair having a great battle for position over the next few laps. Just as Jason Pryde, David Whell and Steven Johnson were going three-wide into turn one as they argued over second, the yellows came on and the race was under caution for the spun car of Brandon Haynes in turn four. With 12 laps remaining it was Steven Rowell who led the restart from Jason Pryde, David Whell and Steven Johnson. Johnson once again committed to the highline and, within just a couple of laps ran around the outside of both Pryde and Whell in one trip through turn four. Andrew Liebke also took to the highline, following the same line as Johnson, and was now on the tail of Pryde trying to find a way around. Pryde made his way past Whell, but Liebke was relentless on the highline and determined to secure a transfer position to the A-Main. Persistent and consistency paid off for Liebke when he and Whell spent several laps side-by-side, with Liebke eventually managing to emerge in front and steal the final transfer spot to the A-Main. Anthony Lambert was putting all kinds of pressure on Nelson Reddacliff mid-field, while Steven Johnson had closed in on race leader Steven Rowell. Johnson ran around the outside of Rowell and managed to open a small lead in the few remaining laps in the race. Steven Johnson went on to take the win with Steven Rowell, Jason Pryde and Andrew Liebke all transferring to the A-Main. Kristy Bonsey finished an impressive fifth while Anthony Lambert and Nelson Reddacliff drag-raced across the line. Lambert beat Reddacliff by just 0.059 seconds. Stephen Greer finished eighth and led Brad Ayers, Allan Woods, Jason Bottin and Dave Fanning across the line. David Whell, Brandon Haynes and Dan Moes all failed to finish the event.

Eighteen cars lined up for the intense 30-lap A-Main event with Luke Oldfield and Danny Reidy from the front row. Both Oldfield and Reidy got great starts but it was Robbie Farr from position three who stole the show with an unbelievable inside passing move through turn one to steal the lead, leaving Oldfield and Reidy to argue over second. Oldfield won that battle, but Andrew Scheuerle soon joined the fight and together with Oldfield and Reidy, put on a spectacular show for the fans on the hill. At the tail end of the field Steven Rowell was coming on strong, while Steven Johnson, Jason Pryde and Andrew Liebke began to climb closer to the front of the field. Johnson and Liebke in particular used the high line beautifully, while Pryde seemed to prefer running down low on the track. David Murcott was also trying to make his way forward, running towards the front of the field and ready to pounce at the smallest mistake or hesitation of his rivals. Unfortunately for Murcott things did not go according to plan - a cut down left rear tyre and a spin in turn three spelt the premature end to his night of racing with only nine laps completed.

Robbie Farr led the restart from Andrew Scheuerle, Luke Oldfield, Danny Reidy and Bryan Mann and while Scheuerle attempted a bold inside passing move on Farr for most of the first lap of the restart, he simply couldn’t quite get into the race lead. Farr of course fought back hard to maintain his position but it was the action unfolding mid-field that everyone was watching. Another yellow light stoppage soon followed, with Mark Pholi left stranded in turn two after contact with several other competitors and 20 laps still to run.

Farr, Scheuerle, Oldfield, Reidy and Mann again led the restart, but once again it was the mid-field action that was hard to ignore. Brent Kratzmann and Kevin Titman had a thrilling battle just outside the top five, while behind them Steven Rowell was challenging Brock Dean for position and Steven Johnson was making his way past Ben Hilder. Andrew Liebke was having an absolutely brilliant run, working both the high and low lines as he weaved his way closer to the front end of the field. Another caution, this time for the spun car of Steven Rowell in turn four, brought the race to a stop and would give the leaders some clear track for a few laps into the restart.

Farr again led them away with only 13 laps left to run, with Scheuerle, Oldfield, Reidy and Mann still right on his tail. Andrew Liebke moved past Brent Kratzmann and into eighth, a rather impressive effort after transferring from the B-Main and starting the main event from position 18. Liebke however soon began to fade and lost several positions over the final half dozen laps of the race. No one had anything for Robbie Farr who went on to take the win with the ever-consistent Andrew Scheuerle second and Luke Oldfield third. Danny Reidy put in another very solid run to cross the line in fourth and this season is already looking like a good one for Reidy. Bryan Mann finished fifth in last nights A-Main, earning some valuable series points, while Kevin Titman, who did not finish the A-Main at the opening round of the series, crossed the line in sixth last night. Titman led Brock Dean, Paul Rooks, Brent Kratzmann, Ben Hilder, Andrew Liebke, Jason Pryde, Dan Murray, Mick Sauer, Steven Rowell, Steven Johnson and Mark Pholi across the line. David Murcott was the only driver who did not finish the race. Andrew Liebke was awarded the Hard-Charge award for the evening.

Sprintcars Queensland will take next weekend off before we return to AusDeck Patios and Roofing Archerfield Speedway on Saturday 01 November 2014 for Round Three of the SuperCheap Auto Sprintcar Track Championship. If rounds one and two are anything to go by, then this season is set to be one of the biggest and best seasons yet. You will not want to miss a moment of the action so get yourself trackside and see it all for yourself! Don’t forget to come on down to pits after the racing is finished each night and see the cars up close, meet the drivers and teams and grab an autograph or photo or two! See you all trackside!!!