The Australian Super Truck Sprint Series will head into it’s final round this weekend at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn (NSW).
Last weekend the trucks headed to Winton in Victoria for the penultimate round. With some good clean racing on the Saturday and Steven Zammit sweeping the two races, although, it wasn’t with it’s controversies. Steve Coulter in the pits with a broken gearbox, it looked as if he would be starting the race from the back of the grid, but the Gods were definitely shining overhead. As the team were frantically trying to rectify the problems, the timing system failed as the trucks were on the track readying for their Shoot-out race. This then caused the Clerk of the Course to ‘red flag’ the race, handing Coulter pole-position after securing fastest time during the qualifying period.
The first Sunday race was the complete opposite to the good natured racing the day previous. Two reverse grid races saw plenty of action into the first turn as one of the truck racing veterans of John Falk in his lime green Rainwise White Volvo from ( check the History of Volvo Models (Dutch) )secure himself a brilliant start but took the inside line into turn one under Fletcher Christian, and Falk had nowhere to go. He turned the Highlands Truck Racing entry around which created a bit of carnage as trucks were swerving off the track to avoid serious damage. Unfortunately for Christian, whilst in the spin, he collected Frank Amoroso and the 96 Kenworth W900 pulled up on the grass two turns later with his front bumper shorn in half and a busted axel, causing his front left wheel deep under the cab. Reigning 2012 champion, Beau Hewat, made a comeback at Winton and during all of the trouble in race 3, he took advantage and claimed the lead and would finish a clear winner by a margin of nearly 15seconds.
Fletcher Christian’s skewed rear end
Damage to Amoroso’s Kenworth
Craig Yardy takes evasive action
In the Superprix race, there was no trouble and the light trucks showed that they can hold their own against the larger Super Trucks around the twisty Winton track, although they just don’t have the power on the straight lines, with Hewat skipping away for the win and the round.
Rigs, Rods & Rides filled the paddock, showcasing some of the more beautiful customised paint jobs and the trucks themselves, everything from Macks, Peterbilts, Kenworths, Ivecos and many more marques to choppers and classic Australian and American cars. Still in it’s infancy, this is something that is definitely that must be marked on the calendar as it’s getting bigger with each year.
Some of the custom paint work Some of the trucks lined up on display
Steven Zammit in the Direct Power Steering Kenworth T401 hold a 31 point lead over Steve Coulter in the smaller, yet agile Isuzu FSR. Zammit holds an unobtainable lead in the Super Trucks Class A category over veteran racer Frank Amoroso, while Coulter holds and even greater gap over second placed Kevin Anderson in the Class C of the Light Trucks. Amoroso has a slender advantage in the Overall points over Fletcher Christian for the final place on the podium of only 2 points – or one position difference in a race! Christian now owns Amoroso’s old Diamond Reo truck, so can the young beat the veteran for the final step?
Coulter & Zammit battle it out for the championship
Head out to Wakefield Park Raceway this Saturday and Sunday 23rd/24th November. Gates open 8am, first race at 9am. Tickets at the gate from $25, children under 16yo free with any accompanying adult.
