April 6, 2023

ROBINSON READY FOR AUSTRALIAN TITLE DEFENCE

Australia, Latest News, Lismore Speedway, New South Wales, V8 Dirt Modified Lismore Speedway

Feature photo by: Tony Powell…Mark Robinson will defend his Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway this weekend (April 8-9.)

By Dennis Newlyn

Mark Robinson puts his national title on the line when he contests the prestigious Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway over two nights, April 8-9.

The thirty-third running of the event has attracted 35 entries from New South Wales and interstate in what promises to be one of the most keenly contested national titles ever held.

“We have a very impressive entry list for the national championship and we are very proud Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway once again was allocated hosting rights for the title,” co-promoters Kim and Mick Sauer said in a joint statement.

“The title has been held at Lismore a number of times in the past and it always produces a wonderful spectacle. With so many drivers in contention, running top equipment, we are set for what has the potential to be the best-ever championship.”

Robinson faces some tough opposition from four previous Australian Champions on the list of nominations. Queensland’s Kevin Britten is the record setter with an incredible five consecutive national title victories (2016-2020). Another strong and long time Lismore star Andrew Pezzutti is a two times winner (1993-94) who is amongst the entries, while Scott Cannon (NSW) will be looking to add to his Australian Championship victory in the 2000-01 season at the Perth Motorplex. Queenslander David Clark has the honour of winning his national crown at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway during the 2013-14 season and he will most definitely be looking for a repeat performance.

Fast runner,Victorian Todd Hobson, is in the starting line-up chasing his first crown and he also will be hoping to give the southern state another victory. Victoria takes pride in title history having produced a five times champion in Warrnambool-based Tim Morse.

All of the Lismore regulars have entered for the 2023 Australian Championship, but they will be facing an in-form Mark Robinson following his recent domination of the Mr Modified Series at the Lismore track and he also has won four feature races from six starts in recent times.

He sat out the prelude to the Australian Championship at the venue last weekend especially to prepare for the title defence with car and driver in winning form.

Mark’s father, Steve Robinson, was the inaugural winner of the first official national title in 1991 for this class of racing. He and Mark hold a special place in history of the race, each having won the crown four times.

The bulk of the entries are from New South Wales and Queensland which are recognised as the two strongest states for V8 Dirt Modified racing.

ENTRIES for the 2023 Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway, April 8-9:

Q51 Andrew Firth; Q15 Taylah Firth; N27 Darryl Armfield; Q47 Brenton Bennie; N39 Phil MacNamara; Q34 Kevin Britten; A1 Mark Robinson; Q5 David Clark; N12 Brock Gardiner; Q71 Trevor Wiley; N42 Seiton Connor Young; Q3 Phil Roberts; N45 Brayd Stephenson; N2 Zak Blanch; N52 Joshua Rose; N25 Andrew Pezzutti; V84 Todd Hobson; N77 Mick Reid; N3 Owen Scott; V3 Paul Markulin; N17 Ryley Smith; Q95 Ray Klarich; Q69 Shane Laurie; N83 Luke Dunn; N88 Brock Armstrong; N76 Kyle Armstrong; N73 Scott Quirk; N79 Scott Cannon; N91 Blake Eveleigh; N48 Chris Corbett; N98 Dale Corbett; Q91 Mitch Randall; Q29 Marcus Reddecliffe; N8 Brent Hall; Q14 Marley Weller.

AUSTRALIAN V8 DIRT MODIFIED CHAMPIONS
1 . . . . . . 1991: Steve Robinson
2. . . . . . 1992: Steve Robinson
3. . . . . .1993: Andrew Pezzutti
4 . . . . . . 1994: Andrew Pezzutti (Hot Rod Title)
5 . . . . . . 1994: John Brown
6 . . . . . . 1995: Steve Robinson
7 . . . . . . 1996: Stuart Herne
8 . . . . . . 1997: Steve Robinson
9 . . . . . . 1998: Stuart Herne
10 . . . . . 1999: Stuart Herne
11 . . . . . 2000: Stuart Herne
12 . . . . . 2001: Scott Cannon
13 . . . . . 2002: Stuart Herne
14 . . . . . 2003: Tim Morse
15 . . . . . 2004: Tim Morse
16 . . . . ..2005: Mark Robinson
17 . . . . . 2006: Tim Morse
18 . . . . . 2007: Tim Morse
19 . . . . . 2008: Tim Morse
20 . . . . . 2009: Peter Britten
21 . . . . 2010: Peter Britten
22 . . . . . 2011: Peter Britten
23 . . . . . 2012: Mark Robinson