SUMMER SLAM KICKS OFF THIS SATURDAY NIGHT

7 November 2007.  By Ben Graham

Elite V8 Dirt Modified action returns to Avalon Raceway in Victorian this Saturday night (Nov 11) for Round One of the Summer Slam Series, presented by AAA Brisbane Tilt Tray. This year’s tournament will once again feature six rounds throughout Victoria, NSW and for the first time Queensland.

Defending Series Champ Steven Milthorpe leads the local charge this Saturday night, no doubt hoping to maintain the form shown throughout last season. Milthorpe was the ‘Mr Consistency’ of the Summer Slam Series in 06/07, bagging valuable points at each and every opportunity.

Looking to kick off his season 2007/08 campaign on the right foot will be reigning Australian Champ Tim Morse, who finished a controversial third in the corresponding round last season. Morse had an unhappy Summer Slam campaign in 06/07, with some uncharacteristic reliability robbing him of an expected strong result. The Warrnambool resident would like nothing more than to take the win this weekend in front of his adopted home crowd.

Lismore duo Stuart Herne and Mark Robinson come into this weekend’s event on the back of some strong performances, with Robinson scoring a win recently in Brisbane while Herne has a win and a runner-up finish from his opening two starts of the season. Last season’s Avalon event saw Herne take the win from Robinson and Morse. If current form is any indicator, the Lismore duo are a big chance to finish up the pointy end come Saturday night.

Lloyd Hobson is another local hard charger in with a big chance at victory in the opening round of this season’s Summer Slam Series. Hobson was a surprise packet last season aboard his Tim Morse-built machine and the wily veteran is well overdue for a Feature race win.

As was the case last season, any one of a number of drivers will be capable of taking out top honours in Round One of the Summer Slam Series. Scott Cannon, Cory Read, Darren Latimer, Tony Sneddon, Tony Moore, Murray Atkin and Trevor Perry round out the field of contracted Summer Slam drivers.

Aaron Trotter, Troy Scott, Scott Whiting and Darryl Hickson complete the competitive field.

For further information on the Summer Slam Series, please visit the official Series website, www.summerslam.com.au

The full Summer Slam schedule is:

Round 1 Avalon Raceway Nov 10,
Round 2 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway Dec 8,
Round 3 Sungold Stadium Warrnambool Jan 12,
Round 4 Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway Mar 1,
Round 5 Brisbane International Speedway Mar 22, (Easter Saturday)
Round 6 Lismore Speedway Mar 23. (Easter Sunday)

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