2012 Australian Microsprint Championship will be proudly sponsored by Sydney based company “POLARIS Navigation & Multi Media Systems”. Polaris are one of the leading suppliers of Navigational, Multi Media and vehicle Tracking Systems for the Automotive Industry in the country.

Mr Warren Baker from Polaris today gave the go ahead after only having the proposal in his hand a little over a hour. Warren was keen to work with the NSW Microsprint Club and the Totally Speedway Magazine to extend the brand name of POLARIS throughout the speedway fraternity. The POLARIS company and its owner are not unfamiliar with Microsprint racing as the company also stands behind the two car team of Moose Motorsport based out of Sydney.

Microsprints Australia are very grateful for the backing of such a high profile company like POLARIS, which will hopefully help bring other high profile companies to our sport.

Product Sponsors to get behind the Australia Microsprint Championship are…

1. - NRP WINGS 2 X $200 VOUCHERS
2. - TOSHIBA AUSTRALIA X 2 PRODUCTS
3. - SPEEDWAY AUSTRALIA $500 CASH GRANT
4. - BAD BOY MOWERS RACE SHOP FRIDGE
5. - REACTION DESIGN SIGNAGE PACKAGE FOR A MICROSPRINT
6. - PASS POWDERCOATING FOR A CHASSIS AND WING
7. - SPORTS FACTORY X 4 SUBLIMATED CREW SHIRTS
8. - HOOSIER TIRES AUSTRALIA X 1 RIGHT REAR TYRE
9. - AMERICAN RACER TIRES X 1 RIGHT REAR TYRE
10. - RICHMOND TROPHIES – HIGH POINTS TROPHY
11. - CASTLE PRINTING -$200 CASH FOR HARD CHARGER

2011/12 MICROSPRINTS AUSTRALIA TITLE - NOMINATION FORM AND SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS FORM

Please click on the above to download or print

With the new 2011-2012 race season only weeks away, there is plenty of last minute preparation going on in most garages as car owners and drivers start to thaw out from a wet and cold winter spell.

Talking with the club presidents from each state its wonderful to hear the excitement in their voices when talking about the season ahead for their club but the real excitement comes when they start talking about car counts for the coming season.

The Qld ranks will grow by another six new drivers with two guys coming out of Karts, two from sedans and two guys returning after a few years out of the class.

Microsprints are still a bit of a secret in Victoria but again talking with some of the guys down there and with confidence being shown by a few guys to purchase new cars, I believe Victoria will be the growth state by seasons end not only with a whopping 18 race meeting schedule but also in car count as the Victorians learn more about these mighty machines.

This year the NSW Club will be the busiest club of all not only having to organise and run their normal club series but also as the host of the 2012 Australia title. Speaking with the NSW President and Vic President there is plenty to be excited about in NSW this season.

The hard yards being put in over in WA are yet to yield any fruit but hopefully the guys will get better support this season from speedway community and we should see a field of 450’s hit the track to really rumble the west.

So all in all a very busy and exciting race season awaits us all and I wish all the drivers a safe and enjoyable season. I’d like to thank the volunteers in advance as I can see you all will be very busy this season and I hope the drivers come up and say thank you to through out the race season.

Lets hope the Racing Gods are on our side and hold off on the rain when its race week and keep a safe eye on everyone as they travel about to pursue a great division of speedway Microsprints.

Tim Napper
National President

The 2011 McDonalds Australian Microsprint Championship will be remembered as the changing of the guard for the Microsprint division in Australia, when Victorian, Graeme Porter, ended the New South Wales domination of the event, with a resounding victory over a star studded field, Charlton Raceway, Toowoomba, Easter Sunday, April 24th.Porters win puts him in the history books as not only the first Victorian, but the first competitor to do it driving a 4 stroke powered Microsprint. All good news for the newly recognised National Division.

The weekend kicked off with a Calcutta/Dinner at the Irish Club Hotel that saw the grid draw take place for the following night’s hostilities.  Title favourite and former champ, Steve Ellicott, was a shock, late withdrawal due to illness, throwing favouritism for the event wide open.
Raceday dawned bright and sunny, with the Charlton track appearing in good shape, despite the previous night’s torrential rain, that saw parts of Toowoomba inundated by floodwaters yet again. An excellent crowd had assembled come start time, for what promised to be an exciting nights racing, featuring the 2011 Australian Microsprint Title and Sprintcars.

Unfortunately, the rot started early, with the Microsprints given the amusing task of wheel packing, while the Sprintcars cooled their heels in the pits. Adding to this was the ridiculous turnaround of less than fifteen minutes between the first and second rounds of heats. The less than desirable time frame, barely giving teams enough time to refuel the cars, let alone make adjustments or repairs. Unacceptable for an event as important as an Australian Championship. Never the less, the Microsprints still managed to turn on the action, although not without a degree of controversy.

A brief rundown on the heat races as follows:-
HEAT 1
With the front row of Brett Finucane (N24) and Troy McAuliffe (WA3), along with position 3 of John Van Giersbergen (Q97) all striking problems in hot laps, young Queensland charger, Jesse Landenberg (Q7), made the most of his inherited front row start, to take an all the way win in the opening heat from  Mitch Isaacs (N14) and Paul Curran (N5).The greasy track reflected in the time of 2.14.508 for the eight lap journey.
HEAT 2
Pole sitter, Brett Sainsbury (N71), jumped to an early lead, only to be brought back to the pack with a spin by Jeff Byron (N10).The subsequent restart saw Sainsbury again skip clear, with an entertaining battle developing between the cars of Gary Hart (N9) and Adam Hotchkis (N17). Another spin by Byron late in the race saw him banished to the infield for his indiscretion, negating Sainsbury's lead yet again. Also joining Byron on the infield at this time was Hotchkis, followed shortly after by Hart. Sainsbury eventually taking the win a long way in advance of Graeme Porter(V2) and Les Nelson(Q55).
HEAT 3
Queensland's Tim Napper(Q10).scored an all the way win in heat 3,over Brett Finucane and Mitch Isaacs. Napper’s time for the 8 lap distance was an impressive 2.08.833.West Aussie Troy McAuliffe continued his disappointing, National Title debut, with another DNF. Mark Van Giersbergen(Q9) and John Van Giersbergen also failed to finish.
HEAT 4
Nelson was quickly into the lead from position 4 with Sainsbury in hot pursuit, as they opened a gap over the remainder of the field. Sainsbury was visibly quicker than the Queenslander and was gaining, until he slowed and pulled infield with engine problems. Nelson went on to take the win from Porter and Byron.
HEAT 5
Steve McCullough(Q5),held off Mitch Isaacs to take the win. Tim Napper capitalised on a last corner mistake by Rhys Marchant(N51) to claim third place by .047 sec. McCullough's time for the 8 laps was 2.08.941. Paul Curran was a disappointed non-finisher.
HEAT 6
Les Nelson secured a pole position for the final, with victory in the 6th and final heat. Brett Sainsbury charged from the rear to cross the line in second(after changing an engine following his second heat DNF),only to be dramatically disqualified for entering the track late(pit gate had been closed, then reopened to allow him entry).The disqualification elevated the Victorian, Porter into second, and Jeff Byron to third.
After six exciting heat races had been completed, the stage was set for the 20 lap, Australian Championship Final. The large crowd were on the edge of their seats, as eighteen of Australia’s best Microsprint chauffers, began to form up behind the pace car. Drama for title favourite Brett Sainsbury, when he was pushed to the infield with the car refusing to fire.

The full field for the McDonald's Australian Microsprint Championship was:-

As the green flag waved to send them on their way, Nelson was quickly into stride to lead the opening lap. The big mover was two time champ, Rhys Marchant, who made a lightening start from position 7,to be fourth by turn 2. With Nelson in command out in front, interest turned to the battle for the minors, as a large group of cars fought "tooth and nail" for position.  A yellow light on lap 6 as a result of contact between Van Giersbergen and Marchant, saw both drivers retire to the infield and Nelson's handy lead evaporated.

Underway again, and Nelson again opened a gap over his pursuers as the race wound down. McAuliffe and Finucane both retired on lap 8,as Nelson maintained  his advantage. Nelson was doing it comfortably in front and looking like he might finally win his maiden Australian Title after years of trying. Lindenburg and Curran joined the growing list of retirees on lap 10.
With Nelson cruising, the turning point came on lap 16,with a red light for Jeff Byron when he flipped violently on turn 4.As the remaining cars formed up for the run to the finish, Nelson was controversially relegated several spots for failing to stop during a red light stoppage. This moved Porter to the lead for the run to the flag. As Porter paced the field  to the line, Nelson was on a mission to regain lost ground. Methodically he worked his way back to the front, catching Porter as they started their 18th lap.

Attempting an inside passing move as they crossed the start/finish line, the pair bumped wheels, with Nelson flipping wildly down the front straight. His title dreams over. The Victorian maintained his composure to cross the line ahead of Steve McCullough, Mitch Isaacs, Tim Napper and Greg Paynter(Q15), rounding out the top five.

Post race scrutineering saw McCullough disqualified from the results on a technical breech. This moved Isaacs to second and Napper to third.
Humble in victory, the newly crowned champion described himself as "probably a lucky winner”. Luck plays a huge part in winning any title.

Congratulations  Graeme on a job well done.