by Dean Thompson
Drouin Speedway club have put together a terrific lineup for their show this Sunday starting at 11am.
The open standard saloons will be competing to win the 'Drive for Dougo' feature event honouring the late Stephen Douglas as some of the best drivers in Gippsland have nominated to try and take the finish line honours.
The sports sedans are also back with great cash up for grabs in the Gippsland Cup.
Wingless sprints have been added to the program with thanks to the Victorian club for stepping up and women's and junior standard saloons will support the big events also.
Jack Yeomans from Moe leads the entry list in the open standard saloons.
The current state number three ranked driver, who finished second recently at Bairnsdale Speedway, is keen to step up onto the number one step this weekend. However, he will need to contend with a list of west and south Gippsland's finest competitors.
Jeff Blencowe, Leigh Gooding, Warragul's Kacey Ingram, Harry Cecil, and Owen Cecil are some of the category front running racers in the field.
Meanwhile Brendan Sheedy, Cooper Joynson - stepping out of junior competition into senior class racing - Bryce Leek, Aaron Evans, Kane Gibson and Dyclan Sweet are all Drouin club members capable of mixing it up in the leading pack also.
Sports sedan action will be terrific with a strong list of regular Drouin competitors and a couple of the state's leading drivers of the class set to go at it this weekend with the Gippsland Cup up for grabs.
Dave Donegan and Brad Warren are set to go head to head with Donegan a leading contender in the state series for the class and Warren having a great run on Boxing Day in far north eastern Victoria.
Adam Alberni is back to represent Drouin whilst the likes of Michael Knight, Chris Aarts, Ray Gould, Trish Dike, Russell Smith - another favourite in the field - Steve Sharam and Darren Skilton add plenty of experience to the field with rookie class drivers Jack Kershaw and Hannah Smith up for a skid also.
Wingless sprints have a huge night on Saturday at Nyora Raceway and a handful of those competitors have put their hands up to come racing on Sunday at Drouin with thanks to the Victorian Wingless Sprints Association for supporting the recent request from the Drouin Speedway Club.
Thomas McDonald from Koo Wee Rup, who is a track record holder in the class at Drouin, leads the list that includes Todd Moule who has a family association with Larry and Rosa Evans from the Drouin club executive committee.
Todd has been competing in sprintcar action most recently with some terrific results putting him at the top quarter of 40 car fields. A victory at Drouin is on his list this Sunday.
Add in Scott Irons, a club committee member, and Jake Warren, who more often than not is amongst the lead pack in Victorian wingless racing, and Samantha Millar, who is more than capable of a podium result, and the action should be terrific.
With a Victorian title just days away for junior standard saloon competitors at the nearby Rosedale Speedway, a handful of drivers have nominated for this weekend keen to sort out any bugs in their cars before title night.
Cooper Irons, Chase Doherty, Grace Evans and Ashton Johnson represent Drouin this weekend with Chase Doherty, albeit in the 1200cc category, being a top contender.
Chase Ingram from the Nyora club is the favourite heading into Sunday whilst William Hickey, Charli Perkins, and Liam Ingram add to a great field for the juniors.
Women's standard saloons are programmed for action with nominations still open.
Michelle George and Tashani Murray are Drouin members competing and both women have a podium result at Bairnsdale this season. Vicky Price and Maddy Capon will provide competition, and a win is anybody's for the taking.
Gates open from 8am. Racing from 11am.
Entry will cost $25 for an adult, aged and invalid pensioner and children 12 to 16 is $15 and children under 12 are free. A family ticket for two adults and two children aged 12 to 16 will cost $60.
Track is at 140 Main Jindivick Road, Jindivick.
General enquiries can be made to 0422 289 133.