This Saturday’s triple-header $50,000 John Day Speedcar Classic, WA Sprintcar Title and Team GB vs Team Australia Speedway Solos has rapidly turned into one of the must-see events of the WA speedway season.
While much of the attention is on the ridiculously high level of quality racers across the board, including Kerry Madsen, Tai Woffinden, Tyler Courtney (USA), Alex Bright (USA), Jason McDougal (USA), Michael Pickens (NZ) and more, there are some heroes just outside the glare of the spotlight ready to play their role.
Here are our picks on the top five drivers and riders you need to keep your eye on!
Marc Giancola – Carbusters Late Models
Despite only standing on the podium for the feature race once this season, Marc Giancola has carved out a healthy chunk of points so far in the Carbusters Late Models. He is currently only two points shy of leader Michael Holmes thanks to a bunch of good heat race results and consistently finishes in the features where he has avoid any trouble.
Giancola has the crosshairs on Holmes, so keep an extra close eye on this rivalry throughout the night as the championship takes shape!
Alfonso Guadagnino – Pool Shop Group Speedcars
Alfonso Guadagnino comes into what might be the toughest night of Speedcar racing on the calendar this season in third position for the overall Pool Shop Group Speedcars points, but he has done it without a feature race podium so far.
The 11 year veteran nicknamed ‘Cheeky’ is no stranger to good results and is proving a consistent finisher in what we have seen of him this season.
With $50,000 on the line in the John Day Classic and a host of international drivers, could Guadagnino prove a surprise challenger?
Daniel Harding – Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series
Okay, okay – Daniel Harding hasn’t exactly been under the radar this season, as he racks up the podiums event after event. But when spectators scan the Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series points they may be surprised to see him in sixth place! The reason is that he has not yet played his ‘Joker’ card, an option each driver has once a season to double their feature race points. Picking the right night to use the ‘Joker’ takes some strategy, and the WA Sprintcar Title may not be the best opportunity given the tough competition. When Harding does play the card though, he should rocket to the top of the season standings – so long as he can avoid any costly feature DNFs.
Daniel Winchester – Speedway Solos
It might seem odd to describe a multi-time State champion as ‘under the radar’, but with the spotlight on the invasion of Team GB to Perth Motorplex, Daniel Winchester might just be the one to upset some more fancied rivals!
Described as ‘almost unbeatable’ at stages of his career, Winchester has competed with success around Australia and has taken down many top flight international riders over the years.
Make sure to cheer Daniel on as he aims to send Team GB, including Tai Woffinden, back home without the silverware!
Mikey Rimmer – Tractor
If you’re looking for Mikey Rimmer on the MyLaps results from Perth Motorplex you’re not going to find him. His pace around the world-renowned clay oval is much more sedate, but no one makes more important laps than Mikey.
As the curator of the Perth Motorplex speedway, Mikey is part of the team that has been producing fantastic tracks this season, which have resulted in some of the most thrilling racing seen in a long time in Western Australia.
Mikey got his start in speedway by maintaining an oval for remote control cars. Perth Motorplex speedway manager Gavin Migro approached Mikey and asked if he would be interesting in scaling up!
If there’s a piece of heavy equipment carving up the oval, there is a good chance you will see Mikey in the seat, so give him a wave as you enjoy the massive spectacle that is the triple-header John Day Speedcar Classic, WA Sprintcar Title and Team GB vs Team Australia Speedway Solos on Saturday at Perth Motorplex.
Story Credit – Luke Nieuwhof
