Welcome everyone to the new season of Qld Microsprint Racing, the season got underway with The Stumpy Memorial on the 18^th of October with 8 cars nominated to race for the prestige of Winning this event located at the

Gatton Show Ground the Home of Qld Microsprints, This event is even more interesting by being a Wingless Event just the way Stumpy would have liked it!

And WOW what a night for Mr Consistent Qld 46 Ben Le Pla after a clean sweep of first places through the three heats, the rest of the field were left wondering on how they were going to deal with this dominance for the final, but no one had any answers in the Feature either and Mr Consistent Ben Le Pla clean swept the event without putting a foot wrong all night.

 This event also seen some sterling efforts by Glen Lindenberg grabbing 2^nd in the Feature with Murray Goodman

 having some Mechanical problems earlier in the night to bounce back to round out the Top Three.

 Other notable efforts through the night was Chris Tunnah Qld No 2 after hitting the Wall and destroying his front end the Tunnah Crew went to work to get the current Qld Series Champion back onto the track. John Giersbergen made a Welcomed return in his Ex Troy Little Grizzly and once John fine tunes this Beast he will definitely be one to watch through out the season, a new driver to saddle up in a Micro is Compact Driver Matt Hefford driving the Rage Engineering Micro, although the night was not kind to Matt he has vowed to return at the next meeting. Mark Giersbergen was unlucky to sustain some damage to his Micro in the final but will also be back next meeting.

Paul Curran NSW #5 made it back to back Qld title last Saturday night at Gatton Speedway.

In what is becoming his trade mark Curran started the night just off the pace but finished it a fashion that counts most, winning the feature and retaining his Qld title for another year.

Les Nelson Q19 claimed second with Ben La Pla Q43 rounding out the three. 

On a fast track surface with some rain delays the night was full of action. The first heat seen two monster flips in separate incidents put end to the night for Steve Thompson’s Q57 and leaving Chris Tunnah  with plenty of work to repair his Q6 machine. Thompson was later treated for three broken ribs and will be out of action for the rest of the season.

The SFR team car Q41 driven by Tim Napper dominated with wins in all the heats and was the raging favorite to take the title. Napper started of pole and led the first three laps of the feature only to have the chain break and leaving them with no drive to the rear wheels and out of the race.

Another driver to have suffered a broken chain was Murray Goodman in car Q5. Goodman was really starting to find his line and make good progress before having to park it on the grass.

Mark Giersbergen #9 from Toowoomba although has taken some time to dial in, found some real pace at a recent NSW meeting taking it right up to the opposition before riding a rear wheel and doing a serries of flips down the front straight. Giersbergen’s crash was something that is normal reserved for Sprintcars. Luckily all the safety gear did its job and Giersbergen walk away OK. The form Giersbergen showed would mean he could not be ruled out of being a contender come chequered flag time.

NSW import Les Nelson driving the #19 Microsprint for the A&J Mowers team will be one to what. Nelson has been the bride’s maid so many times when it comes to titles and is due for a win.

If it is three wide wheel to wheel racing without the mud and dust you want. Then get yourself and the family trackside at the Gatton Showgrounds February 16^th.

Kids come meet the drivers, sit in their race cars, have your photo taken, grab colouring picture and autograph on the morning of the event at Select a Pet next to Repco Gatton. Like to learn more about Microsprints visit the web site www.micropsrints.org .

This coming week end at the Gatton Speedway will see competitors have their last chance to dial in their cars in before the next round back at Gatton being the 23^rd running of the Queensland Title on February 16^th. 

The defending title holder Paul Curran has nominated for the title weekend and is very determine to make the long trip from Sydney count by holding on to the Q1 title for 2008.

After sitting the last round out with the engine being rebuilt sees the return of the potent SFR no.41 driven by Tim Napper. The SFR team plan to step up another gear this weekend while searching for move speed out of the car.  Another to watch is Mark Giersbergen driving the no.9 A&J Mowers Microsprint. Giersbergen showed plenty of speed at Gilgandra on December 29^th before a major dump ending his night. Hopefully the Giersbergen team can get the race car repaired in time although it will mean plenty of midnights this week.

Current point leader Chris Tunnah no.6 is proving he is Mr. Consistent this year and is well on his way to claiming the overall points championship. Mean while Adrian Farrell is expected to début his new methanol engine and has plenty of tongues wagging with expectation. Farrell has really taken the challenge up to the open class cars while still running on petrol. Another driver who has found plenty of speed and is starting to get his car to work is Murray “Muzza” Goodman no.5. Muzza will be right there when the green flag drops holding his own.

If it is four wide racing, hold your breath type racing you want to see without the dust and mud. Then get yourself and the family track side to the Gatton Speedway this Saturday night.

The Bob Stevens owned SFR car 41 driven by Tim Napper started the seasons points round in tremendous form with two heat wins and a second placing before running away in the feature to claim an important win.

A return to the podium in a hard fort second place went to Ben La Pla with Chris Tunnah in third place.

The battle to fill second to forth was fierce with positions changing every lap right to the very last meter of track to greet the chequered flag. The drivers should have been pumped to race that hard and close without incident is a credit to both drivers and the track.

A first for Microsprints with what is to become a standard feature in our package to venues is the introduction our own commentator.

Howard was ring side, no better than that he was out in the middle to really ramp up the spectator knowledge and excitement of our mighty Microsprints and judging by the crowd in the pits after the race, what ever was said certainly worked.

Thank you Howard and we look forward to more in prompt interviews over the coming rounds.

 On another not it was great to John Giersbergen at the track after a real rugged past few months. John we all hope to see you back out on the track real soon.

Hold onto your hats we are not finished yet as we line up to do it all over again the coming weekend at Gatton.

The third year of this tribute event is gaining popularity as the Microsprints remove their wings to honor a fellow racer who was there right from the start of this division in the mid 80’s

Stump as we all knew him was a bit of a larrikin, someone who just can not help themselves to make others laugh. But at the same time there would be nothing that he would not do to help someone if they needed help. 

Once you got to know him and the fact his feet where void of shoes unless racing, just added another round of jokes. Stump’s love of Speedway was endless and it appeared he racing career was about the same.

Having been involved at different levels of racing over many decades Stump found a class that suit him perfectly. The 260 Speedcars (now Microsprints) in the eighties would attract fields of 40 or more cars and what’s more impressive they would try and race all 40 cars at once at venues like Archerfield.

Stump was never fussed about putting a wing on his beloved number 43 and remained loyal to the speedcar look.

This year will see the return of the number 43 being nominated to be run on the Stevens Family Racing car that normally sports number 41. The gesture to run the number 43 and to have it called one more time will know doubt bring back so wonderful memories of years gone by. 

A notable absence for this event is John Giersbergen who will not be competing due to some unforeseen circumstances. Giersbergen has won the last two Tributes and I am sure if he lined up again this year would have liked to make it a hat trick.

This being the clubs first run of the season will be an exciting time with five rookies joining the Microsprints in the off season and another three drivers up dating to later spec race cars.

Racing at the beautiful Gatton venue gets underway at 5pm and will be one not to miss on this year’s race calendar.

With the session proper just a mere 11 days away and we are counting. The Steven Family Racing operation has been frantically putting the finishing touches on the four race cars they are lining up this session.

The Boss Bob Stevens has been hit with the dreaded flu and operating at half strength if that is possible. While one of this sessions rookies Nathan “Nate” Stevens has been busy with creating extra work for himself after a test drive of his #21 machine ended with a small excursion through the trees on the family farm. Luckily the car was not hurt; Nate’s pride is still copping a battering though. 

Another rookie and new addition to the team this session is Carl Prince who is no stranger to going sideways but it is normally in a drift vehicle. Carl takes over the wheel of the extremely quick #20 car. Best of luck Carl, but remember there will be at least 10 or so other crazies all wanting to go side ways all at the same time.

Steve Thompson makes a return to the SFR team again this session to take over the ex Josh Steven car with #57 on the tail tank. Thomo will be hoping to recapture some form early this session before stepping into his own Microsprint possibly later this session. Currently Thomo is still in hibernation but according to the big boss of the team Louise, Thomo has sent his nomination in for Kingaroy.

As for Tim Napper, Bob has given him another crack at the bullet they call car #41 and told him not to be a blouse this time. The message is pretty simple or in the case of the car very loud and orange.

Early retirement has put Josh Stevens back on the side lines while he and partner Sam are still getting the hang of being parents and the no sleep each night. Josh will no doubt be hanging around to help out the team as they line up to tackle the very round Kingaroy track.

Keep an eye out for the post race updates.

The “SFR” PR machine

Tuesday 24th July 2007.

Presentation Night. Dinner and Trophies

The 2006 / 2007 Presentation will be held :

Where:     Gatton RSL Club  -  46 -52 Crescent St , Gatton

When:      18th August ( Saturday ) 5:30pm,  Dinner Served at 6:30pm

Cost:        $30 per person. Confirmation and payment must be 1 week prior. Payment can be made to any of the committee members or via Direct Deposit to the clubs bank account. Westpac Bank, BSB 034-182, A/C # 194736. RSVP to Louise Stevens. 

Saturday 14th July 2007.

Bears and Drivers do have something in common. 

Like a hibernating bear race drivers have disappeared back into the main stream of civilization concentrating on the actual thing that pays for the racing, their jobs.

Race cars are in various states of pull down or tucked away in a corner with a tarp thrown over them so as not to distract the owner in these cold months. 

However there are just a few who have for gone the hibernation this winter to ensure the new look Queensland club hits the track racing faster than ever before. 

Many rumors are about over who is buying what and who is up grading engines and so on. Either way we look at it the coming race season will be very tight at the front of the pack with record numbers of open class cars, something that has been building for some time and just waiting to explode on to the track. 

This season drivers like John Giersbergen, Ben La Pla and Tim Napper will need to dig very deep to ensure they remain ahead of the merging new driver talent in their methanol burning rocket ships. 

The new rules and regulations books are all but completed and will be published within the next week or so and all drivers will receive for the first time a very comprehensive driver’s rules and regulations book. This is exciting as this will also included the log book, so no driver can ever say I do not have a copy of the rules. 

With Gatton race dates all confirmed, negotiation between the other tracks highlighted from the recent drivers survey are getting under way. 

Our next big event is the awards night with different venue’s being looked at. The date will be some time in August so keep your diary close and ensure you do not miss a great night out. There will be plenty of door prizes and awards on the night.

The awards night is also our chance to say thank you to our wonderful sponsors through out the 06-07 season in a more formal way. 

Is your driver’s profile out of date? Best get a new profile to the secretary fast so you do not look out of date. 

Membership forms and NASR Medicals are now available from the secretary. All moneys and form must be fully completed by our club secretary and NASR before you can sit your bum in your race car to go racing.

Sunday 27th May 2007.

General Club Meeting - Sunday 17th June 2007 - Lake Apex - Gatton - 11:30am

Tuesday 1st May 2007.

Welcome to the Queensland 250 Microsprints Club Jayden

To really appreciate the week that was, we need to rewind back to Thursday Morning 3.30am. When team owners Bob and Louise where woken by mum to be Sam stating it’s time.

It’s a boy was the next piece of news heard not long after 2.30pm, with proud Grandfather Bob announcing the news.

Jayden Stevens becomes the newest member of the Stevens Family Racing team with proud new parents Josh and Sam wanting Jayden to continue the family tradition although this little champ could be an Olympic swimmer with the size of his feet.

Some calls from other drivers for the SFR team not to race out of respect for the birth of Jayden. This was meet with team boss Bob “Don’t call me Granddad” Stevens who had other ideas stating it was a celebration and we are definitely going racing.

The Toowoomba “Resort” Hospital for another night was the only option for Sam and young Jayden if they wanted to come home Saturday as the team was going racing. I suppose it was lucky for the rest of the team that they made it home on Friday as I reckon the real Boss of the team Louise may have changed the plans on us.

Welcome to Speedway Jayden.