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Kicking Up The Dirt - SuperCheap Auto Track Championship-Round 9
Joanne White posted Sunday January 3, 2016.

For the second time in as many nights, and the fourth since Christmas, Sprintcars Queensland ventured back to AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway for Round 9 of the SuperCheap Auto Sprintcar Track Championship. Twenty-Six cars lined the pits with Donny Schatz again joining twenty-five locals to put on a brilliant night of Sprintcar racing action. Andrew Scheuerle won the Dash event and surprised everyone by accepting the Kratzmann's Caravans Challenge and inverting the top fourteen starters in the A-Main event. Scheuerle started the 40-lap race from position fourteen, with Mark Pholi alongside and Donny Schatz and Kevin Titman a row in front. Within five laps Schatz was up to fifth, before spending the next five laps making his way into the race lead. Donny Schatz went on to take the win, his fourth consecutive win in Brisbane this season. His winning streak in Brisbane now stands at fourteen meetings undefeated spanning the past few years. Bryan Mann had a remarkable drive to finish second last night, an especially impressive result for Mann and the team after Bryan flipped the Q16 racer in an earlier heat. Kevin Titman had a breath-taking drive after starting out of position twelve and skilfully worked his way through the field to secure the final podium position at the conclusion of the 40-lap A-Main. Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield rounded out the top five in what proved to be a very entertaining race.

Qualifying got underway and it was Ben Hilder in the second group of cars to hit the track who managed to top the qualifying order. Hilder stopped the clock at a quick 12.425 seconds, narrowly beating Donny Schatz (12.481 seconds). Mitchell Gee managed to secure third quickest, recording a lap of 12.533 seconds, but unfortunately for Gee he tagged the wall coming out of turn four and launched the Q41 racer into a spectacular flip down the main straight. The car landed hard and while Gee hopped out of the car under his own steam, he received medical attention trackside and was taken to hospital for tests and scans. Updates from the Gee family this morning reveal that Mitchell has suffered severe bruising to his lower spine as well as a knee injury that currently has him in a knee brace. Everyone at Sprintcars Queensland wish Mitchell a speedy recovery and hope to see him back trackside once he has recovered. Kevin Titman qualified fourth quickest with Bryan Mann rounding out that fastest five in last nights qualifying.

Heat one started with Andrew Liebke and Luke Oldfield from the front row, with Callum Walker and Scott Doyle close behind. Liebke got the jump on the start and settled into the race lead, with Oldfield right on his tail. The pair immediately started opening a small margin over their rivals, while Callum Walker tried to find a way past Mark Pholi. Oldfield soon ran around the outside of Liebke as they raced down the back straight a couple of laps into the race and began pulling away to a substantial lead. Pholi soon closed in on Liebke and spent a couple of laps searching for a way past before slipping underneath the Q47 racer in turn two to steal second. Luke Oldfield went on to take the win ahead of Mark Pholi and Andrew Liebke, with Callum Walker next across the line. Steven Johnson, Scott Doyle, Kristy Bonsey and Anthony Vanderreyden rounded out the finishers, while fastest qualifier Ben Hilder pulled out of the event with mechanical issues after just four laps.

Heat two rolled onto the track with Andrew Marks set to start from pole position. Darren Jensen shared the front row for the start, with Donny Schatz coming from position six. Marks and Jensen raced side-by-side into the first corner, with Jensen then able to secure the lead while Marks settled into second with Brent Kratzmann on his tail. Schatz made his way in front of Dave Whell on the first lap, then raced past Bruce Marshall through turns one and two of the second lap and straight onto the tail of Kratzmann and Marks. Kratzmann committed to the high line to race around Marks as they headed down the back straight, with Schatz quick to follow on the high side. Schatz raced around the outside of Marks before quickly switching to the low side to slide seemingly effortlessly underneath Kratzmann all before hitting turn four. Schatz took off, determined to chase down Jensen in the race lead, and while Kratzmann tried to go with him, Schatz quickly opened a margin over the rest of the field. Marks was left to defend his position from Bruce Marshall, while Schatz spent a few laps closing the gap to Jensen before running around the high line to steal the lead just a lap and half from the chequered flag. Donny Schatz went on to take the win with Darren Jensen in second and Brent Kratzmann a very solid third. Andrew Marks managed to hang on to cross the line in fourth and led Bruce Marshall, Jayden Peacock and Dave Whell across the line.

Brandon Rawlings and Paul Morris shared the front row for the start of heat three, with Rawlings getting the jump on the start. Bryan Mann had a brilliant run the moment the lights went green, slipping straight between Clem Hoffmans and Paul Morris as they raced three-wide through turn one. Andrew Scheuerle was quick to follow Mann through, racing around Hoffmans in turn one, before switching to the low side to get underneath Morris as they raced towards turn three. Kevin Titman committed to the high line and lined up a beautiful outside passing move on Clem Hoffmans as they raced down the main straight, while Mann and Scheuerle closed in on Rawlings. Mann was searching the highline for a way past Rawlings, and looked set to switch to the low side, but Scheuerle was already there. With Rawlings and Mann embroiled in their own battle, Scheuerle seized the opportunity the moment the gap started to appear. It was perfectly timed and executed as Scheuerle dove underneath both Mann and Rawlings, as they raced through turn one, to steal the lead. Mann continued to search for a way past Rawlings, eventually getting the job done three laps later. Andrew Scheuerle went on to take the win, having opened a small but comfortable margin over the rest of the field, Bryan Mann finished second ahead of Brandon Rawlings, with Paul Morris, Kevin Titman, Clem Hoffmans, Simon Jupe and Dale Shilleto rounding out the finishers.

Heat four started with Andrew Marks and Bruce Marshall from the front row, with Marks getting the best start and quickly securing the race lead. Dave Whell quickly slipped between Clem Hoffmans and Bruce Marshall to steal second while Donny Schatz ran the high line. Schatz secured the advantage over Kratzmann, who had started alongside the American on the third row, and raced around Clem Hoffmans before the end of the first corner of race, while Bruce Marshall slid under Dave Whell as they exited turn two. Schatz was right on their tail, running underneath Whell through turns three and four before setting his sights on Marshall. With the race barely a lap and an half old Schatz made his way around the outside of Marshall and into second, with just Andrew Marks standing in the way of another heat race win. Marks, running a strong and consistent race on the low line, managed to hang for a little over a lap before Schatz ran around the outside and into the race lead. Marshall managed to slip underneath Marks a couple of laps later, with the race promptly brought under caution for Steven Johnson who had gently tipped the Q27 racer on its side in turn four. Johnson restarted the race at the rear of the field while Donny Schatz led the field away with six laps left to run. Brent Kratzmann was right on the tail of Andrew Marks and after having a quick look at the high line, Kratzmann switched to the bottom and slipped underneath the Q96 racer. Donny Schatz was unchallenged for the lead and was first past the chequered flag, nearly four and a half seconds ahead of Bruce Marshall in second. Brent Kratzmann came home in third and led Clem Hoffmans, Steven Johnson, Andrew Marks, David Whell and Anthony Vanderreyden across the line.

Andrew Liebke and Callum Walker led the field to the green for the start of heat five, with Darren Jensen out of position three. Ben Hilder was scheduled to start the event from position four but did not take the green, mechanical issues still plaguing the Motorguard Motorsport racer, with Bryan Mann elevated to fourth in Hilder’s absence. Liebke got a great start, with Jensen quick to follow on the low line to secure second ahead of Callum Walker. Unfortunately contact between Andrew Scheuerle and Bryan Mann at the tail of the field, when Mann climbed Scheuerle’s right rear, launched Mann into the air towards the turn two fence and brought the race to a stop. Thankfully Mann walked away from the crash and while he was unable to restart the heat event, his crew, with the help of crew members from various other teams, worked feverishly in the pits to get him back on track for his next event. A full race restart followed with Liebke again securing the lead, but with Callum Walker this time managing to hold on to second ahead of Darren Jensen. Andrew Scheuerle capitalised on a mistake by Jensen in turn two and managed to slip underneath, before setting about chasing down Callum Walker. As Walker closed in on Liebke, Scheuerle closed the gap to Walker and before long had taken to the high line to race around the young Q33 racer and into second. Scheuerle spent a couple of laps getting close enough to Liebke to make his move, with the pair then running two abreast for over a lap before Scheuerle secured the lead. The race for the lead was a truly remarkable one to watch as both Liebke and Scheuerle held nothing back, but put on a thrilling, and clean, battle, giving each other just enough room to race and keep the crowd on the edge of their seats. Andrew Scheuerle went on to take the win with Andrew Liebke forced to settle for second ahead of Callum Walker. Darren Jensen finished a respectable fourth and led Kristy Bonsey and Simon Jupe across the line. Bryan Mann did not finish the event.

Brandon Rawlings and Paul Morris shared the front row for the start of the sixth and final heat of the night. Rawlings got the jump when the lights went green and quickly settled into the race lead, with Luke Oldfield from position three quick to move on the inside to settle into second. Kevin Titman followed Rawlings and Oldfield, racing through turn one in fourth before slipping underneath Morris as they exited turn two to steal third. Titman soon found Mark Pholi on his tail, the pair having a brilliant battle over the minor places and exchanging places several times. The race was however soon brought under caution when Dale Shilleto spun the Q91 racer in turn four, with just four laps completed. Rawlings led the restart from Oldfield, Pholi and Titman, with Titman diving under Pholi through turn one. Titman managed to pull off the pass, but had the wrong line going into turn two, opening the door for Pholi to slip straight back through. With just two laps to run Dale Shilleto again spun the Q91 racer in turn four, and, as this was his second stop, was relegated to the infield before the restart. Brandon Rawlings again led the restart and went on to take the win ahead of Luke Oldfield and Kevin Titman, who had managed to get back past Pholi a lap prior to the last caution. Mark Pholi crossed the line in fourth and led Jayden Peacock, Scott Doyle and Paul Morris across the line. Dale Shilleto did not finish the event.

Donny Schatz led the points battle heading into the Dash event, but Schatz drew position six in the pre-dash draw to determine starting positions. Andrew Scheuerle would ultimately start the six-lap affair from pole position, with Mark Pholi alongside. Scheuerle and Pholi both got great starts when the green flag flew, but it was Scheuerle who managed to secure the lead by the time they hit turn one. Brent Kratzmann was quick on the low line and swiftly slipped under Pholi to steal second, before drifting up track coming out turn two and opening he door for Pholi to fight back on the low side. Kratzmann managed to hang on to second and began pulling away, leaving Pholi with both Luke Oldfield and Kevin Titman on his tail. Oldfield took to the high line and tried to race around the outside of Pholi, while Titman had a look on the bottom. Schatz seemed content to sit back and watch for the first couple of laps, letting the rest of the field sort themselves out, and observing before beginning to make his move forward. Titman had a beautiful run on the low line to slip under Oldfield and Kratzmann in the space of just half a lap, and while Kratzmann and Oldfield argued over positions in turn four, Schatz quietly slipped though on the low line. Oldfield fought hard on the high side to hang on, but Schatz soon made the low line work in his favour. Andrew Scheuerle went on to take the win, nearly three and a half seconds ahead of Mark Pholi in second. Kevin Titman, Donny Schatz, Luke Oldfield and Brent Kratzmann rounded out the finishers. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came when Andrew Scheuerle accepted the Kratzmann's Caravan Challenge and subsequently inverted the top fourteen starters in the A-Main event. It was a brave and bold move that would see Scheuerle start the now 40-lap A-Main event from position fourteen, with Schatz to come from position eleven on the starting grid. Scheuerle has never accepted the Kratzmann's Challenge before, but the crowd love it, and the race that followed, with Schatz, Scheuerle and most of the fastest cars coming from deep in the field. What a show for race fans!

Eight cars lined up for the start of the 10-lap B-Main event, with only the top four to transfer to the A-Main. Andrew Liebke and Paul Morris shared the front row for the start of the B-Main, with Morris getting the initial jump but Liebke fought back hard on the low line to steal the lead before entering turn one. Andrew Marks had a great start from position three and was having a big look up the inside of Morris as they rounded turn two, but couldn’t quite pull it off and ended up spinning the Q96 racer on the lower edge of the track. Marks restarted at the rear of the field as Liebke and Morris once again led the field to the green. Liebke got the jump on the start and settled into the race lead with Morris a very comfortable second. The battle for third and fourth was a heated one, with Jayden Peacock, Kristy Bonsey and Steven Johnson all vying for a transfer to the A-Main. Johnson ran the highline trying to find a way past Bonsey, but to no avail, while Simon Jupe and Andrew Marks exchanged positions a few times at the rear of the field. Andrew Liebke went on to take the win with Paul Morris unchallenged in second. Kristy Bonsey and Jayden Peacock finished third and fourth respectively, securing the final two transfers to the A-Main event. Steven Johnson finished fifth and led Simon Jupe, Andrew Marks and Anthony Vanderreyden across the line.

With Andrew Scheuerle boldly inverting the top fourteen starters for the A-Main event, Clem Hoffmans again inherited pole position for the start of the 40-lap journey. Darren Jensen started alongside Hoffmans on the front row but it was Hoffmans who got the better start and was able to secure the race lead. Scott Doyle, starting from position five, had a massive wheel-stand as he took the green, lifting both front wheels and the left rear off the ground. Fortunately for Doyle he was somehow able to get all wheels back on the ground, as the field behind him did their best to avoid an incident. Bryan Mann reacted quickly, shifting up track and making his way around Doyle before shifting his focus to the cars in front. Mann made impressive progress towards the front of the field in the first half lap, while chaos unfolded behind him. Callum Walker, David Whell, Scott Doyle and Brent Kratzmann were among those involved, but all cars managed to recover and find their own space on the track without causing a stoppage. Kratzmann and Titman had a thrilling battle deep in the field, while Donny Schatz had made his way into fifth with just five laps competed. The race was soon brought under caution though when Bruce Marshall spun to a stop in the middle of turn two.

Clem Hoffmans led the restart with thirty-five laps left to run and Darren Jensen, Brandon Rawlings and Bryan Mann right on his tail. Hoffmans again did a remarkable job out in front, while Callum Walker tried to hold off Donny Schatz and Bryan Mann took to the high line trying to find a way around Brandon Rawlings. Unfortunately Mann clipped the wall heading down the back straight, and the subsequent contact with Rawlings saw Rawlings spin the NQ44 racer onto the edge of the infield. Unfortunately for Rawlings he was unable to restart the event.

Clem Hoffmans again led the restart, with Darren Jensen and Bryan Mann right behind, with young Callum Walker marginally ahead of Donny Schatz. Schatz took to the high line, with Dave Whell boldly attempting an inside passing move, momentarily getting his nose in front of the U15 racer, before Schatz powered around the outside until he was two abreast with Walker. Schatz and Walker ran two-wide for half a lap before Schatz managed to pull ahead and set out after Darren Jensen. In just half a lap Schatz had caught and passed Jensen, using the high line, but Callum Walker had a brilliant drive on the low line to race up the inside of Jensen moments after Schatz had blasted around the outside. Further back in the field Oldfield was working the high side trying to find a way past Mark Pholi, while Andrew Scheuerle was working the bottom. Scheuerle managed to slip under both Pholi and Oldfield as they raced down the main straight, with Oldfield quickly securing the advantage over Pholi and following Scheuerle as they raced after the cars in front. Meanwhile Schatz had caught and passed Mann for second and now had Hoffmans and the race lead firmly in his sights. Schatz stole the lead with the race only ten laps old and proceeded to open a sizable margin over his rivals, while setting about lapping most of the field. Mann challenged Hoffmans for second, while Walker held Jensen at bay and Scheuerle and Oldfield were virtually inseparable as they weaved their way closer to the front of the field, becoming involved in the battle between David Whell, Brent Kratzmann and Kevin Titman. Whell and Kratzmann ran the low line, while Scheuerle and Oldfield tried to work higher on the track. Scheuerle tried to run around the outside of Kratzmann through turn three, but when they both got turn four a little wrong, Titman was in the perfect position to capitalise and quickly slipped through on the bottom. Scheuerle tried to fight back on the high line but Titman finally seemed to have a little luck on his side and he and the team had the Q59 racer set up beautifully. Titman slipped past Dave Whell and started chasing down Walker and Jensen, while Bryan Mann ran around the outside of Hoffmans to steal second. Schatz weaved his way effortlessly through lapped traffic, lapping up to and including seventh position before taking the win once again. Bryan Mann had a solid run to finish second while Kevin Titman was inspirational in his drive from twelfth to third. Andrew Scheuerle and Luke Oldfield remained inseparable, finishing fourth and fifth respectively after putting on a truly breath-taking show for the race fans. Callum Walker finished a very impressive sixth after a brilliant drive in the Q33 racer - be sure to keep your eye on this young man. Mark Pholi was seventh across the line, leading Paul Morris, Andrew Liebke, Darren Jensen, Clem Hoffmans, Dave Whell, Jayden Peacock, Bruce Marshall and Kristy Bonsey across the line. Brent Kratzmann, Scott Doyle and Brandon Rawlings all failed to finish the event.

Sprintcars Queensland will return to AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway on Wednesday night, 06 January 2016, for another spectacular night of Sprintcar racing action. It will be Round 10 of the SuperCheap Auto Sprintcar Track Championship as well as the Construction Solutions Sprintcar Piston Cup. A strong field of local favourites will be there, along with USA sensational Donny Schatz and current Australian Champion David Murcott among the nominations. Come on out to AusDeck Patios Archerfield Speedway for this special Wednesday night show.

 

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