AUSCAR: Winton Raceway, Victoria preview

Winton Raceway - Victoria - October 20-21

In the tradition of its origins NASCAR, V8 Stock Cars are set to thunder into rural Victoria for round five of their championship this weekend. The series has been dominated by Andrew Miedecke. The former regular and now part-time Touring Car Championship driver has been the pick of the crop, winning most of the races he has competed in this year.

Whilst winning all three heats at the last round, despite numerous red flag race-stopping instances and a crash, he did have some worthy adversaries. Fireworks King Tony Southwell look set to score a heat win until his Chev Monte Carlo suffered an engine detonation and is sure to be on the pace this time around.

Also driving a Chev, Miedecke had a couple of altercations with the similarly mounted George Elliot, but the latter will not be around this weekend. It leaves the way open for one-time Porsche specialist and recent Nations Cup racer Rusty French to buckle up for the first time, against the current series front runner.

Consistent place getter and indeed, unlucky not to have already posted a race win has been the unsponsored Pontiac Grand Prix of Mark Harrison. Likewise Miedecke's team mate Bob Middleton is also on the brink of winning.

The Ford Thunderbirds of Richard Howe and Dean Wanless will strive to unseat their General Motors opposition.

Barry Blake has been involved with these type of cars since their inception in Australia and is making something of a return to the category, backing Southwell. Nigel Benson who co-ordinates these thunderous big horsepower machines is looking to a podium place in his Chevy as too Doug Moss (Oldsmobile) and Paul Stocker (Chev).

Points standing
Overall: Miedecke 1570, Elliot 1419, Harrison 1377.

<pre> Program

Saturday, October 20 9:10 Super/Future Tourers practice 9:30 Super Truck practice 9:55 V8 Stock Car qualifying 1 10:25 HQ Holden qualifying 1 10:50 Daewoo qualifying 1 11:15 Commodore Cup practice 11:45 ASTRC fastest 50% qualifying 12:05 ASTRC remainder qualifying 12:35 Super/Future Tourers qualifying 1 1:10 V8 Stock Car qualifying 2 1:30 HQ Holden qualifying 2 1:05 Truck Co-drivers qualifying 2:35 Daewoo qualifying 2 3:00 Commodore Cup qualifying 1 3:30 Super/Future Tourers qualifying 2 4:00 Truck Co-drivers Race 1 4:30 HQ Holdens Race 1 4:45 Commodore Cup qualifying 2

Sunday, October 21 8:45 Super/Future Tourers warm up 9:00 Super Truck warm up 9:15 V8 Stock Cars warm up 9:30 Commodore Cup warm up 9:45 HQ Holdens Race 2 10:10 Super Truck Dash 10:25 Light Truck Dash 10:40 V8 Stock Cars Race 1 11:10 Daewoos Race 1 11:35 Super/Future Tourers Race 1 12:00 ASTRC Race 1 12:35 Commodore Cup Race 1 12:55 V8 Stock Cars Race 2 1:25 ASTRC Race 2 1:55 Daewoos Race 2 2:20 HQ Holdens Race 3 2:45 ASTRC Superprix 3:15 Commodore Cup Race 2 3:45 Super/Future Tourers Race 2 4:15 Stock Cars Race 3 4:45 Truck Co-drivers Race 2 </pre> History
V8 Stock Cars Are One Of The Fastest & Most Powerful Race-Cars In Motor Racing Today!

Based on the worlds most popular form of motor racing, American NASCAR, V8 Stock Cars are powerful high tech machines powered by engines that are capable of reaching speeds of up to 330 km/h.

NASCAR originated in the southern states of the US in the 1930's arising out of the "moonshine" trade which was the transportation and sale of illicit liquor. The moonshine transporters had to battle each night to outrun the law, and often worked on their cars and modified their engines to avoid being caught out.

A dispute arose between two of the moonshine runners about which of their cars was fastest. To solve the issue, the two drivers held a race, and stock car racing was born.

Since the inception at Daytona in 1948, NASCAR racing has grown immensely popular spreading across the United States. then here to Australia and on to Japan. Now a purpose-built track has been constructed in England and the category is eyeing off a move into Europe as well.

-AUSCAR-