Thirty-two cars rolled into AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway last night ready to do battle in Round 8 of the SuperCheap Auto Sprintcar Track Championship with Donny Schatz taking his third straight win at the Brisbane venue this season. Schatz came from fourteenth on the starting grid, after winning the Dash and accepting the Kratzmann's Caravans Challenge, and spent the first twenty-three laps working his way through the field, before racing around the outside of Brandon Rawlings to steal the lead with seventeen laps left to run. Schatz was again unstoppable in the race lead as he weaved his way through lapped traffic, while Rawlings had perhaps the best drive of his Sprintcar racing career so far. Donny Schatz of course went on to take the win with Brandon Rawlings a very strong second and Darren Jensen in third. Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield rounded out the top five.

Qualifying got underway with Donny Schatz quickly setting the benchmark for the rest of the field. Schatz stopped the clock at 11.927 seconds to secure quick time, while Brisbane regular and current points leader Andrew Scheuerle was just 0.045 of a second slower. Scheuerle qualified second quickest with an 11.972 second recorded lap and was the only car besides Schatz to break into the 11-second bracket. Bryan Mann, Peter Lack and Luke Oldfield rounded out the fastest five in a field where the top 22 qualifiers were separated by less than one second.

Heat one started with Paul Morris and Brandon Rawlings from the front row, with Donny Schatz coming out of position eight. The first start was aborted with officials deeming Morris to have jumped the start. Morris was relegated to the second row for the restart, handing pole position to Brad Ayers. Ayers made the most of his front row position and quickly secured the race lead when the lights went green, with Rawlings settling into second. Schatz wasted no time in beginning to move forward, racing straight between Anthony Lambert and Scott Doyle as they went three wide through the second corner of the race. While Schatz moved on to race past Paul Morris less than a lap later, and set out after Brad Ayers, Morris was quickly forced on the defensive as Doyle and Lambert started putting the pressure on. Schatz made his way past Ayers, who had lost his lead to Rawlings on the second lap, and set his sights on Rawlings and the race lead, quickly closing the gap and racing around the outside of the NQ44 racer as they charged down the back straight. Schatz stole the lead with only three laps completed and started opening a lead over the rest of the field. The race was soon brought under caution when Andrew Marks, back after a massive crash on Boxing Night, spun the Q96 racer in turn two. Schatz led the restart from Rawlings and Ayers with six laps left to run but with barely a lap under green the race was again under caution, this time for Anthony Vanderreyden who had stopped in turn one. Schatz again led the restart from Rawlings and Ayers, with Scott Doyle putting all kinds of pressure on Paul Morris, while Morris searched for a way past Brad Ayers. Andrew Marks and James Grady had a great battle at the rear of the field until Marks had another spin and brought the race under caution once more. Marks was relegated to the infield for the restart while Schatz led the field away. David Whell moved underneath Scott Doyle, while Brad Ayers and Paul Morris argued over position mid-field. Donny Schatz went on to take the win with Brandon Rawlings a very solid second. Brad Ayers managed to hang on to finish third ahead of Paul Morris and Scott Doyle, with Dave Whell, Anthony Lambert and James Grady rounding out the finishers. Andrew Marks, Anthony Vanderreyden and Lachlan McHugh did not finish the event. While both Marks and Vanderreyden would make it back trackside, an engine problem in the NQ23 racer of McHugh would unfortunately bring about a very premature end to his night of competition.

Darren Jensen and Mark Pholi lined up alongside each other on the front row for the start of heat two, with Jensen securing the advantage when the green flag flew. Brent Kratzmann quickly slipped underneath Mark Pholi to steal second before the race was even half a lap old, while Ben Hilder and Callum Walker raced side-by-side through the second corner. Luke Oldfield was working the low line trying to make this way closer to the front of the field, racing under both Mitchell Gee and Ben Hilder as they rounded turn four at the end of the first lap. Gee made contact with the wall as he headed down the main straight and pulled out of the event only a couple of laps later, while Oldfield and Scheuerle looked for a way past Pholi. Pholi slowed considerably in turn two, opening the door for Oldfield, Scheuerle and Hilder to slip through, while Brent Kratzmann tried to close the gap to race leader Jensen. Darren Jensen went on to take the win, with Brent Kratzmann across the line in second. Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield had a great battle over the minor positions, with Scheuerle able to secure third ahead of Oldfield, Ben Hilder, Mark Pholi, Callum Walker, Kristy Bonsey and Simon Jupe. Mitchell Gee failed to finish the event.

Bruce Marshall started heat three from pole position, with Clem Hoffmans on his outside. Marshall got the jump on the start and quickly secured the race lead, while Kevin Titman, who started from position five, had a beautiful run on the low line to not only move ahead Steven Johnson, who had shared the third row of the starting line up, but also race up the inside of Dale Shilleto and Andrew Liebke to secure third by the end of the first corner. Titman was on a mission and Clem Hoffmans was next in his line of fire, with Titman seemingly effortlessly slipping under Hoffmans as they rounded turn two. Titman set out after Bruce Marshall in the race lead and before long had taken control of the race with eight laps left to run. Peter Lack had tried to follow Titman on the start, and while he made some impressive ground, he became caught behind Liebke and soon found Dale Shilleto, Bryan Mann and Steven Johnson all on his tail. When both Liebke and Lack ran a fraction wide in turn four, Shilleto was quick to capitalise, while Bryan Mann tried to make his way past as well. Lack and Liebke closed the door, with Lack and Mann exchanging positions a couple of times over the next few laps before Lack pulled ahead. Mann and Johnson raced either side of Liebke as they exited turn four, with Mann advancing to join the battle between Shilleto and Lack. Unfortunately for Mann contact with Shilleto and the back straight wall would see him spin across track, onto the infield and out of the race. Kevin Titman went on to take the win ahead of Peter Lack and Bruce Marshall. Dale Shilleto crossed the line in fourth with Steven Johnson and Clem Hoffmans having a thrilling battle for fifth over the final few laps of the race. The pair swapped positions several times but it was Johnson who secured fifth with Hoffmans next across the line and leading Andrew Liebke, Jayden Peacock and Jason Bottin home. Bryan Mann did not finish the event.

Heat four started with Dave Whell and Bruce Marshall from the front row and Andrew Liebke and Dale Shilleto right behind. Whell got the jump on the start and quickly settled into the race lead, while Liebke and Marshall raced side-by-side for most of the first lap before Liebke secured second. Donny Schatz was beginning to make his way towards the front once more, having passed Steven Johnson, Anthony Lambert and Dale Shilleto before the end of the second lap, while Liebke stole the lead from Whell. Liebke immediately began to open a small lead over the rest of the field, but all eyes were on Schatz as he ran the high line looking for a way past Bruce Marshall and Ben Hilder. Hilder had a magnificent race, and while he and Schatz ran two-abreast for several laps, Schatz eventually managed to pull in front. Within half a lap Schatz had raced around the outside of Whell in turn four to move into second and set his sights on Liebke out in front. Liebke managed to hang on for a couple of laps but Schatz hit every corner perfectly and soon used the high line to race around Liebke and into the lead. Donny Schatz went on to take another heat race victory with Andrew Liebke in second and Ben Hilder home in third. Dave Whell, Bruce Marshall, Dale Shilleto, Steven Johnson, Kristy Bonsey and Anthony Lambert rounded out the finishers.

Clem Hoffmans and Andrew Marks shared the front row for the start of heat five with Hoffmans getting a great start and quickly settling into the race lead. Brad Ayers and Brent Kratzmann were both quick to move on the low line and race underneath Marks, while Brandon Rawlings and Bryan Mann took to the high line. Mann in particular made impressive progress early in the race, with Andrew Scheuerle also coming on strong from the rear of the field. Mann had a great battle with Kevin Titman, with Scheuerle soon joining the fight as well. Titman moved in front of Mann and set his focus on Rawlings, while Scheuerle set about putting pressure on Mann. The race was brought under caution with just two laps left to run when Jayden Peacock spun in turn four, with James Grady spinning to avoid contact with the stranded car. Clem Hoffmans led the restart from Brent Kratzmann and Brandon Rawlings, but Kevin Titman was looking for a way past the NQ44 of Rawlings. Clem Hoffmans went on to take the win ahead of Brent Kratzmann, with Kevin Titman managing to secure third. Brandon Rawlings crossed the line in fourth and led Andrew Scheuerle, Brad Ayers, Bryan Mann, James Grady, Andrew Marks and Jayden Peacock home.

Paul Morris and Mark Pholi started alongside each other for the start of heat six last night, with Darren Jensen and Mitchell Gee right on their tail. Morris got the jump first time around, with Jensen settling into second while Pholi and Gee argued over third. Behind the leading quartet Scott Doyle slammed the back straight wall, with Luke Oldfield taking evasive action, and nearly coming together with Callum Walker. Walker too took evasive action but ended up spinning the Q33 racer on the inside of turn three and bringing the race under caution. A full race restart followed with Walker at the rear of the field. Morris again secured the lead, with Pholi getting a better start second time around and settling into second. Darren Jensen, Mitchell Gee and Peter Lack were all coming on strong, with Lack running the high line in an attempt to race around his opposition. Jensen managed to generate a small but crucial margin over Gee and Lack, while the Q41 and Q58 racers spent several laps two-wide as they argued over position, with Luke Oldfield on their tail and looking for a way past. Gee managed to move ahead of Lack, leaving Lack to deal with a hard-charging Oldfield, with Scott Doyle using the low line to his advantage and slipping underneath Lack. Paul Morris went on to take the win, never seriously challenged for his position, with Mark Pholi a very comfortable second. Darren Jensen crossed the line in third with Mitchell Gee, Luke Oldfield, Scott Doyle, Peter Lack, Callum Walker, Jason Bottin and Simon Jupe rounding out the finishers.

Sprintcars Queensland ran a series of three Shootout events last night in place of the Dash. These events were contested by the top eight qualifiers, with qualifiers three to eight the first to hit the track. Six cars completed three qualifying laps for the Bronze Shootout, with the slowest two eliminated from the event. Kevin Titman was the quickest car on track for the Bronze Shootout, stopping the clock at 13.178 seconds, followed by Brent Kratzmann with a 13.229 second lap. Luke Oldfield and Ben Hilder both managed to secure transfers to the Silver Shootout, while Peter Lack and Steven Johnson were eliminated from the Shootout event and would start the A-Main event from positions seven and eight respectively.

Donny Schatz and Andrew Scheuerle joined Kevin Titman, Brent Kratzmann, Luke Oldfield and Ben Hilder on track for the Silver Shootout. Donny Schatz easily topped the leader board, stopping the clock at 12.923 seconds, while his closest rival, Luke Oldfield, was 0.393 seconds slower with a 13.316 second lap. Ben Hilder and Kevin Titman secured transfers to the Gold Shootout, while Andrew Scheuerle and Brent Kratzmann were eliminated from the event and would start the A-Main from positions five and six respectively.

For the Gold Shootout the four remaining qualifiers contested a five lap race, with Kevin Titman and Ben Hilder from the front row and Luke Oldfield and Donny Schatz bringing up the rear. Titman got a great start and quickly secured the race lead, while Oldfield raced up the inside of Hilder to secure second. It was short lived for Oldfield though as Schatz slid effortlessly under both Hilder and Oldfield as they rounded the second corner to steal second and set out after Titman. Hilder pulled out of the event before finishing the first lap, while Titman did a remarkable job out in front. Titman managed to hold Schatz off for a couple of laps, and, knowing the likelihood of Schatz inverting the field should he win, Titman gave it everything he had to keep Schatz from the lead. In the end Schatz proved just too good and despite a big fight from Titman, was able to secure the lead and the win. Kevin Titman finished second with Luke Oldfield home in third. Ben Hilder did not finish the event. As winner of the Dash Donny Schatz was once again offered the chance to take on the Kratzmann's Caravans Challenge to invert the top fourteen starters for the A-Main event. To the delight of the large Archerfield Speedway crowd Schatz enthusiastically accepted the challenge, giving both himself and Titman the chance to pocket an extra $1000 should either of them win the event. The race distance was also increased from 35 to 40 laps.

Fourteen cars lined up for the start of the 15-lap B-Main event, with Clem Hoffmans promoted to pole position in the absence of Mitchell Gee. Paul Morris shared the front row and with only the top four to transfer to the A-Main it was going to be an exciting race. The first start saw Clem Hoffmans secure the lead and Dale Shilleto settle into second ahead of Paul Morris. Brad Ayers almost had third but Callum Walker was having a brilliant run on the high side and really challenging for position. Unfortunately chaos unfolded behind them when Dave Whell and Mark Pholi came together entering turn two. Everyone took evasive action, but Jason Bottin got into the back of Kristy Bonsey, while James Grady ended up on his side. All cars were able to restart the event. Morris got a better start second time around, but Hoffmans was quick on the low side and while the pair raced side-by-side into turn one, it was Hoffmans who secured the race lead. Whell tried to run underneath Brad Ayers and Bruce Marshall, while Dale Shilleto and Callum Walker raced two abreast as they negotiated over the minor places. Kristy Bonsey and Andrew Marks had a close battle towards the rear of the field, while Anthony Vanderreyden moved ahead of Mark Pholi. Brad Ayers and Callum Walker were having a great battle over third and fourth when the race was brought under caution for the spun car of James Grady in turn four. Hoffmans led the restart from Morris, Ayers and Walker, with Dave Whell and Bruce Marshall just outside of the transfer positions. Walker took to the highline in spectacular fashion when the race resumed, really putting the challenge to Ayers, but towards the rear of the field contact between Bonsey and Bottin saw Bottin spin the Q24 racer to a stop in turn one and bring the race back under caution. Hoffmans again led the restart with seven laps left to run, with Walker again taking to the high side to get past Ayers and challenge Morris for second. Unfortunately Ayers spun the NQ11 racer in turn four, and was collected by Mark Pholi, with Andrew Marks looping the Q96 in an effort to avoid both stricken cars. Pholi was unable to restart the event but both Ayers and Marks took the restart from the rear of the field as Hoffmans led them away once more. Callum Walker was having a brilliant run on the highline, but opened the door a little too wide and allowed Dave Whell to look up the inside. The pair had a thrilling battle but there was not stopping Hoffmans out in front. Clem Hoffmans went on to take the win with Paul Morris in second. Callum Walker managed to cross the line in third, having put a small margin between himself and Whell. Dave Whell finished fourth, and secured the final transfer to the A-Main, with Bruce Marshall, Dale Shilleto, Jayden Peacock, Kristy Bonsey, Simon Jupe and Andrew Marks rounding out the finishers. Brad Ayers pulled out of the race after just 10 laps, while Mark Pholi, Jason Bottin and James Grady all failed to finish the event.

With the top fourteen starters for the A-Main inverted, Brandon Rawlings started from pole position, with Scott Doyle alongside and Darren Jensen and Andrew Liebke right behind. Rawlings got a great start and quickly settled into the race lead, with Jensen quick to slip underneath Doyle in turn two to secure second. Deep in the field Donny Schatz took to the high line to begin to make his way forward, with Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield also making up ground. Peter Lack was all over the back of Bryan Mann, both using the high line as they tried to find a way past Anthony Lambert. Andrew Scheuerle was on the move, having spent several laps racing wheel-to-wheel with Luke Oldfield, Scheuerle secured the advantage and swiftly slid underneath both Steven Johnson and Brent Kratzmann in less than half a lap, and while Oldfield tried to follow he got caught behind Kratzmann, and now also had Schatz on his tail. Peter Lack was looking for a way around Andrew Liebke, the pair running side-by-side as Ben Hilder, Andrew Scheuerle, Brent Kratzmann, Luke Oldfield, Kevin Titman and Donny Schatz chased them down. Scott Doyle spun the Q43 racer in turn two and brought the race under caution with just nine laps completed.

Brandon Rawlings led the restart from Darren Jensen and Bryan Mann, with Schatz still back in tenth. Mann took to the high line to try and find a way around Jensen, while Peter Lack raced around the outside of Andrew Liebke as they raced down the back straight. Luke Oldfield and Brent Kratzmann raced side-by-side, with Kratzmann eventually emerging in front and challenging Scheuerle, who was looking for a way past Liebke, all while Schatz ran the high line. In the space of just two laps Schatz raced around the outside of Kratzmann, Scheuerle, Liebke and Lambert and had set his sights on Peter Lack. While it took a few laps to catch and pass Lack, Bryan Mann and Darren Jensen followed in quick succession and Schatz set his sights on race leader Brandon Rawlings. Rawlings was doing a truly remarkable job out in front in the NQ44 racer, weaving his way through lapped traffic, but lapped traffic is a particular speciality of Donny Schatz. It only took a couple of laps for Schatz to close the gap and then race around the outside of Rawlings in turn four to steal the lead, having taken just 23 laps to race from fourteenth to the lead. Kevin Titman and Luke Oldfield were embroiled in an intense battle mid-field when disaster struck for the luckless Q59 racer of Titman. Titman lifted the front wheels off the ground as he ran the gutter in turn two, but when he came the throttle on the #59 racer was stuck wide open. Titman spun up track, headed straight for the wall and made heavy contract, with the throttle still stuck open. The car tipped upside down, the left wheels over the concrete fence, before falling back onto the track, the throttle still stuck. Fortunately Titman was not hurt in the crash but his race was over after just 26 laps.

Donny Schatz led the restart with fourteen laps left to run and Brandon Rawlings and Darren Jensen right on his tail. Andrew Scheuerle and Bryan Mann exchanged positions a couple of times over the next few laps, while Luke Oldfield continued his climb forward after taking to the restart in ninth position. Unfortunately for Bryan Mann his race came to an end just three laps from home, the Q16 racer slowing to a stop high on the track in turn one agonisingly close the chequered flag, with a flat right rear tyre.

Schatz led the restart for a three-lap dash to the finish and was untroubled in his efforts to secure the win. Brandon Rawlings had a remarkable drive to finish a strong second while Darren Jensen, who competed in his own car for the first time this season, rounded out the podium. Andrew Scheuerle crossed the line a very consistent fourth with Luke Oldfield officially fifth. Brent Kratzmann narrowly missed the top five, coming home in sixth and leading Peter Lack, Anthony Lambert, Andrew Liebke, Ben Hilder, Callum Walker, Dave Whell, Clem Hoffmans, Paul Morris and Scott Doyle across the line. Bryan Mann, Kevin Titman and Steven Johnson did not finish the event.

Sprintcars Queensland return to AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway tonight for Round 9 of the SuperCheap Auto Sprintcar Track Championship. Come on out tonight and see the racing action for yourself!