A huge field of USC Sprintcars and the third round of the Speedcar Super Series will be the best possible tribute to George Tatnell’s memory this Saturday night at Valvoline Raceway.

With a collective car count that may reach 100 in the pits the spirit of competition will be alive and well as men and women race off for the second annual “GT Challenge” night.

American lady Sprintcar racer Harli White wins the ‘geographical prize’ for the most miles traveled to race coming in out of the cold wet Oklahoma weather as he joins up with her Australian team the Stirton Family for a month-long commitment at VR and sister USC venues.

White, who makes her Australian debut this weekend, has won thousands of fans worldwide with her story of courage and determination to overcome an horrific start to her racing career as a then 12 year old.

Now 21 the pint sized rocket racer is an inspiration to racers and fans alike and will relish the chance to compete against Australia’s best.

It’s Brooke Tatnell however who enters the event as the sentimental favourite as he seeks to win the event that honours his late father’s historic racing career and legacy.

George Tatnell was a multiple Australian Speedcar and Sprintcar Champion and an ambassador the sport on so many levels.

He was a larger than life, flamboyant, shoot-from-the-hip driver, car owner and administrator before succumbing to cancer at 68 years of age.

One of the sport’s true champions and characters he left an indelible and irreplaceable mark and the legacy of his son’s successful international Sprintcar career.

This Saturday night Brooke Tatnell will climb into both his Krikke Motorsport Sprintcar and his borrowed Scott and Jade Wilson owned #42 BOSS Stanton Speedcar to race in both classes.

Like his father would have loved.

Tatnell will compete in a hectic third round of the Speedcar Super Series that will celebrate some 65 events under the helm of passionate Speedcar and former racer Ken Jenkins.

A crack field of 33 drivers has entered thanks to Diamond Air-conditioning racing for prize money and three unique trophies that feature scale models of Tatnell’s most iconic racecars.

“They’re fantastic,” grins Brooke, “I’ve never seen anything like them before. Anyone that wins one will have something to keep forever. I wish I could win all three.”

In a field brimming with talent including multiple SSS champion Nathan Smee, multiple Australian champion Adam Clarke, Queenslanders Victorian Travis Mills and Queenslanders Anthony Chaffey, Chris Singleton and Cal Whatmore and a who’s who of NSW talent including the in-form Matt Jackson and last week’s winner Darren Jenkins it will be a tall order for Brooke Tatnell to score a win.

“Brooke has the talent,” says SSS promoter Ken Jenkins, “he did a great job in the Speedcar last year, I think he has as much chance as anyone.”

TFH (Temporary Fencing Hire) Principal Brett Thomas put Tatnell in his Speedcar last year and will do the same again but this time with a freshened Esslinger motor from the KRE powerhouse in Brisbane that is owned by Lee Redmond in WA.

Sydney standout Nathan Smee was originally wheeling that car but will now instead drive the Scott and Jade Wilson owned BOSS Mopar #Q42 that American Andrew Felker drove last summer in the Australian title.

“It’s a great piece,” says Thomas, “Brooke will have all he needs to get it done with his car and now Nathan is in that Wilson Boss that’s a ferocious combination too.”

Drivers will also be competing for a bonus P1 Australia Sportsman $100 voucher for the driver voted to have best exhibited George Tatnell like attributes including sportsmanship, flamboyance, presentation and the like on the night.

“They don’t have to win the race,” says P1 Australia’s Glen Revell, “it’s about spirit of competition and having a positive influence on the show.”

Entries for the SSS include:

1 N 3 Darren Jenkins
2 N 4 Paul Murphy
3 Q 4 Anthony Chaffey
4 N 5 Andy Hassan
5 N 6 Michael Jordan
6 V 10 Travis Mills
7 N 11 Adam Wallis
8 N 21 Robert Mackay
9 N 24 Robert Taylor
10 N 26 Jamie Hall
11 Q 26 Chris Singleton
12 Q 29 Adam Clarke
13 Q 36 Cal Whatmore
14 N 40 Gary Rooke
15 N 41 Jordan Mackay
16 N 42 Jamie McKinlay
17 Q 42 Brooke Tatnell
18 N 51 Michael Stewart
19 N 54 Alan Day
20 N 58 Jeremy Evans
21 N 62 Dan Biner
22 N 63 Tony Abson*
23 N 65 Don Mackay
24 Q 69 Nathan Smee
25 N 70 Matt Hunter
26 N 71 Reagan Angel
27 N 76 Bob Jackson
28 Q 76 Reid Mackay
29 N 78 Troy Jenkins
30 N 87 Aidan Corish
31 N 97 Matt Jackson
32 V 97 Kaidon Brown
33 N 98 Jay Hall

A huge field of USC Sprintcars with numbers expected to exceed 60 will also line-up for the seventh round of USC NSW.

Gates open at the Valvoline Raceway – located at 21 Wentworth Street in Clyde – at 2pm with hot laps (practice) commencing at 5.15pm and main racing starting from 6.30pm.

Adults: $30
Concession: $20
Juniors (13-15yrs): $15
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 juniors): $70
Kids 12 and under: FREE

Visit www.speedwaytickets.com.au to purchase tickets online or get your tickets at the gate on Saturday.

Visit www.valvolineraceway.com.au or check Valvoline Raceway on Facebook.

Ends release…