Stage set for Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic
Organisers are confident the Premier Speedway surface will deliver for one of the biggest Flying Horse Bar & Brewery Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic events to be held in its 52-year history.
Having been held since Zeke Agars won the inaugural affair, the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway has become the biggest race in Australia.
The 2025 running will be no different with 84 of the best cars and drivers from Australia and America nominated to go racing across three big nights starting tonight before the winner is crowned on Sunday.
It has been a busy week at the venue, which hosted the new ARB Warrnambool International Sprintcar Carnival for the first time on Sunday.
Whilst the event was run and won by Cole Macedo, it was marred by an unforgiving track surface.
Due to the hot conditions, the clay ate up tyres and only 13 of the 24-car field fail to finish the A Main, which led to organisers offering an apologies
At the start of the season Premier Speedway underwent a significant surface change with dark, black clay replaced by orange clay.
As attention turns to the start of the classic tonight, Premier Speedway General Manager Michael Parry is confident there will be no such dramas this weekend.
With forecast temperatures only getting as high as 27 degrees, much lower than the 36 experienced last Sunday, conditions are much more stable.
“We did have a tough night with the hot weather which caused the track to dry out,” he told Auto Action.
“That was a tough event for us but we will debrief post classic and work out how we can improve for next year.
“Now we are looking forward to having a great weekend.
“Certainly, with the cooler weather it makes a huge difference
“We have had some discussions and the boys will make the track a huge improvement on last week.”
Yet again a star-studded field is in store led by winning machines Lockie McHugh, James McFadden, Jock Goodyer, Callum Williamson and Brock Hallett, plus more.
Another big crowd will pack into Premier Speedway across the next three nights. Image: Richard Hathaway
The Night 1 field includes Supercars star Cameron Waters led by Australian champion McHugh, Macedo, Ryan Jones, Jamie Veal and Hallett.
They are just some of the contenders aiming for opening night honours.
Parry said there has been a lot of focus on not just the on track action, but also creating more of an experience off it.
“We have been working hard all week,” he said.
“We have just under 85 nominations which is the largest car count in Australia for an event so everything is looking healthy.
“The venue is in fantastic shape. We have had a great week starting on Sunday, plus a few great off-track events during the week.
“We are looking forward to a great 52nd Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
“We have put a focus into off track entertainment around the venue this year.
“There is a stage where live music will be played and driver interviews, plus a kids activities area with jumping castles and games.
“There will also be a new merch alley for the fans inside the venue, so a few new things are happening.”
The gates have just been opened with shows including driver interviews being held on the live stage from 15.00.
Hot laps mark the start of the Classic at 17.30 AEDT tonight and tickets are still available, while it will also be broadcast on Clay Per View.
Image: Richard Hathaway Photography
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