By Daniel Powell
There was one main goal for Jon McCorkindale heading into his rookie Sprintcar season and that was to qualify for feature races at Parramatta City Raceway (PCR). Last Saturday night at PCR he achieved that goal in what was his 16th ever race meeting aboard a Sprintcar.
Driving one of the few cars in the field at PCR that is powered by a 372ci Chev engine, McCorkindale managed to qualify directly into the feature race field out of 14th position after he had finished his two heat races with a third and a seventh place. Throughout the feature race he managed to stay out of trouble and bring his NSW # 69 Dial before you Dig / Crampton Legal supported XXX machine in 12th place.
“The new format at PCR has really played into my favour and there was no better example than my feature race result last Saturday night,” expressed a pleased McCorkindale. “Due to not having the horsepower of the majority of the field qualifying time trials really kills me, but now with the two heat race format it brings back more racing and you have to earn each and every position in your heat race just to make the feature race.”
Now with one feature race qualification and a finish under his belt, the 19-year-old, who travels from the Riverina township of Young which is a five hour drive each way from PCR, is looking for similar results to finish out the 09/10 season.
“In recent race meetings I’ve been close to qualifying for the feature races at PCR and to finally do it is not only very satisfying but a major confidence boost,” he added. “The goal now for the remaining race meetings at PCR is to make it into feature races and finish as high up as we can. I feel quietly confident that with the current format we are more than capable of achieving that.”
Currently 18th in the overall PCR Track Championship point standings, McCorkindale is next going to be on track this Saturday night (February 27) for the 15th round of the PCR Track Championship.
McCorkindale would like to thank his sponsors Dial before You Dig and Crampton Legal, along with all his family and friends, especially his parents Garry and Chris, for all their support throughout the 09/10 season.