By Daniel Powell
Stepping into a Sprintcar at the age of 18 is a daunting prospect by anyone’s standards, but Jon McCorkindale is progressing well during his first full season in Sprintcars at Parramatta City Raceway (PCR).
After contesting four race meetings last season, McCorkindale is enjoying the up and downs of Sprintcars and last Saturday night at PCR the ex Junior Sedan and Wingless Sprint racer recorded his most promising result to date after recording a top 10 finish in the B-main.
“Our season is progressing well and with each race meeting we’re learning more and more as a team,” said the NSW # 69 Dial Before You Dig / Crampton Legal supported 372ci Chev powered XXX driver. “The biggest hurdle about Sprintcars that we’re finding is getting a handle of car setup, as you can go out in one race the track will be perfect and then in the next one the track is completely different and that is a key area to becoming competitive in a Sprintcar and something that we’re learning.”
McCorkindale is realistic when it comes to his goals for the remainder of the 09/10 season.
“I just want to do as many race meetings as possible and laps are vital in order to become more competitive,” he said. “Being in a lesser powered engine compared to the rest of the field is becoming more of a disadvantage with each race meeting, especially in qualifying which is a vital ingredient to the night, but that is something we’re doing our best to overcome. Aside from more track time I’d like to qualify for a few feature races before the end of the season.”
Boxing Night (December 26) at PCR is the next event on the 09/10 season schedule for McCorkindale and he is looking forward to the busy Christmas / New Year period that will feature some of the world’s best drivers in Americans Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart.
“It’s always an exciting time of the season and running up against some of the World’s best drivers is a big thrill and I’m very much looking forward to it,” added McCorkindale.
McCorkindale would like to say a special thanks to his 09/10 season sponsors: Dial before You Dig and Crampton Legal for all their valued support, along with all his family and friends, especially his parents Garry and Chris.