The Kerrick Sports Sedan Series hits top gear next weekend at Mallala Motor Sport Park at the fourth round of the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships, with the running of the jewel in the crown for the their racing season, the Clem Smith Cup. Mallala circuit owner Clem Smith has been a long time supporter of the Sports Sedan category, with the 15 lap race in the middle of the action packed program featuring a prize pool of $5000 for Australia’s fastest circuit racing sedans.

After the opening round of the season at Wakefield Park, veteran Kerry Baily leads the series in his Nissan 300ZX, although the star of the show on that day was northern New South Wales based driver Trent Young.

The third and final race for the weekend was held in a driving downpour, with Young sliding his way to victory aboard his rotary powered Mazda RX7, his first win after a decade of toil at the national level.

For Young, backing up his maiden victory with more success at Mallala is high on the priorities list.

“It’s great to be returning to Mallala, the Clem Smith Cup is a definite highlight on the Sports Sedan calendar, and Clem has been a great supporter of the class over the years,” Young said.

“Mallala’s a great little track, it’s not terribly high speed which is good for our car because we struggle a bit with down force on fast corners, but the quick changes of direction really suit the Mazda.

“Darren (Hossack, Audi) and Kerry (Bailey) will be on the ones to beat, and especially with prize money on the line, things will be very interesting.

“We’re all ready to go, we were a bit down on horsepower after Wakefield Park, and we pulled the turbo apart to find it all stripped.

“From the outside it looked perfect, but internally there was nothing left, so being down on power probably really helped us win the race in the wet!”

Leading the charge of the local challengers will be Adelaide based Simon Pfitzner, who is looking forward to pitting his V8 powered Ford Falcon against the quickest cars in the country.

“Mallala is a great circuit for the Sports Sedans, it’s hard on brakes, provides good close racing, and you never ever get to complete a perfect lap,” Pfitzner said.

“It’s good to get out there and support Clem; he’s done a great job to put the prize money up, and has done an enormous amount for motorsport in South Australia over the years.

“It’s good to gauge yourself against the best cars in the country; it’s enjoyable to see exactly how quick your car is against the National field.”

Joining Pfitzner on the grid will be fellow South Australian Simon Longhurst in another Mazda RX7, as well as a strong field from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The Clem Smith Cup is now in its fourth year, having previously been won by Tony Ricciardello (2007 and 2009) as well as Luke Youlden (2008), but with both of those drivers missing in action, 2010 is set to see a first time victor.

The 2009 event was filled with controversy, with Ricciardello and Hossack clashing throughout the weekend, with Hossack feeling the wrath of the officials after an accident in the final race that sent both leaders off the circuit at the first turn.

In addition to the Clem Smith Cup, the 700 horse power Sports Sedans will also battle for prize money in the non-points paying PPG Gearbox Dash for Cash, a four-lap long reverse grid shootout for the top-six qualifiers, with the format receiving widespread acclaim at the opening round in March.

Other classes in action next weekend at the Shannons Nationals include the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Mission Foods, the Commodore Cup National Series, the Shannons V8 Touring Car National Series and the South Australian Formula Vees.

Practice, qualifying and racing kicks off at 9:00am on Saturday (May 29), concluding with a 30 minute twilight race for the Commodore Cup, commencing at 5:15pm.

On Sunday, racing starts at 9:30am, with gates opening both days to the public at 8:30am.

Saturday tickets are $25, Sunday admission is $35, and weekend passes are available for $50.

For more information about the 2010 Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships, visit http://www.thenationals.com.au.

About the Australian Six Hour

New for 2010, the Australian Six Hour at Eastern Creek on July 18 will become a new highlight on the Australian production car calendar. Doubling as round four of the Australian Manufacturers Championship, the world’s top automotive brands will be pitted against each other, with marques including BMW, HSV, FPV, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Renault and Alfa Romeo. Stay tuned to the Shannons Nationals website for details as the big weekend approaches.