From Sydney Speedway
Sydney, AU — (October 8, 2014) — Sydney Speedway drivers Toby Bellbowen and Courtney O’Hehir share more than one thing in common, but it’s their need for speed that binds the two lovebirds together each summer.
The twenty year old thrill seekers, who have known each other since they first met at the Speedway as 9 year olds, have been ‘on again and off’ again partners for the last four years.
“It’s hard sometimes,” admits Bellbowen, “because there’s so much time you need to spend just preparing and maintaining Sprintcars that it doesn’t leave much time for socializing. If you want to succeed in this sport you really need to make as much effort as you can on keeping your racecar in the best condition. And that takes a lot of hours each night after work. Courtney finds that part of my commitment to Speedway a bit hard to take sometimes, and I can understand that, but I want to make this my living one day and I’m determined to achieve that goal. She’s lucky enough to have her stepdad Cam Burnham work on her car whereas I’m pretty much hands on with my team on the mechanical aspect.”
O’Hehir, a hairdresser from Wilberforce, is in her third season racing in the hectic ‘Wingless Sprint’ category – a class that features an enormous field each week, very competitive racing and some spectacular race incidents that can bring unsuspecting drivers undone.
“Courtney had a huge crash a couple of seasons ago where she injured her vertebrae,” recalls Toby, “and it knocked her around a bit. To her credit she’s come back and she’s racing really well. Racing is a confidence thing. If your confidence gets knocked around it affects your results. She’s got a good season ahead of her I’m sure.”
For Bellbowen, now in his fifth season in Sprintcars, the new summer promises plenty as well.
In last Saturday night’s opening event of the season at Valvoline Raceway the apprentice fitter and turner for UGL in Auburn led many laps of the feature race before eventually finishing third behind eventual winner Victorian Jamie Veal and Toby’s older brother Roddy Bellbowen.
“Any time you can lead a race at Valvoline Raceway it’s a good night,” he smiles, “I’ve just got to learn how to finish off and get the win. This year I want our first big win and I hope a few more will follow after that happens.”
Bellbowen is the son of former Compact Speedcar, Speedcar and Sprintcar hard charger Rod Bowen – a man who also spent time as a part owner of the Sydney Speedway until late this year when a new group purchased it.
“Dad raced for eleven years on and off,” says Toby, “and in that time he scored some significant results both in Australia and in New Zealand. He had a reputation for always charging hard and for preparing an immaculate racecar. Its things like that I hope have been instilled in me as well.”
This Saturday the 900hp winged monsters return for the second night of the Valvoline Raceway Track Championship with a stellar field including the Warrnambool Victoria based Jamie Veal who won the feature race last weekend.
Veal outclassed a 54-strong car field including interstaters Jaaon Pryde (WA) Daniel Harding (WA) Trevor Green (SA) Ryan Davis (VIC) Danny Reidy (QLD) Ben Atkinson (NT) Jack Lee (VIC) and many others.
Bellbowen, who qualified on the front row for last Saturday night’s 30-lap Brian Healey Cup, knows that his work is cut out for him to score the victory this time around.
“We don’t come here to make up the numbers, we’re always out there to win, but it’s not easy to win here in Sydney. There are always top drivers and anything can happen on the night.”
Top 20 in Points for the Track Championship this Saturday night are:
Jamie Veal Warrnambool VIC 254
Roddy Bellbowen Cranebrook NSW 246
Toby Bellbowen Cranebrook NSW 244
Danny Reidy Gold Coast QLD 242
Jack Lee Terang VIC 240
Max Johnston Picton NSW 238
Ben Atkinson Darwin NT 236
Matt Dumesny Nelson NSW 234
Robbie Farr Iluka WA 232
Max Dumesny Nelson NSW 230
James Thompson Guildford NSW 228
Ryan Davis Winchelsea VIC 226
Jimmy Matchett Londonderry NSW 224
Steve Caunt Albion Park Rail NSW 222
Marty Perovich Denham Court NSW 220
Andrew Wright Muswellbrook NSW 218
Kelly Linigen Londonderry NSW 216
Peter Gordon Auburn NSW 214
Trevor Green Two Wells SA 212
Jackson Delamont Young NSW 210
Courtney O’Hehir faces a similar fate to that of her boyfriend in her wingless sprint as she attempts to get her career first A-Main win this Saturday night.
With strong fields in the wingless category, Sprintcars and also the brutishly powerful 400 plus cubic inch motor powered Late Model Sedans; fans will be treated to some hectic racing this Saturday night.
Gates open at 2pm this Saturday
Action on track starts 6pm
Valvoline Raceway – located at 21 Wentworth Street Granville.
Phone: (02) 9637 0411
Check out www.valvolineraceway.com.au or www.facebook.com/pages/Valvoline-Raceway
Prices are:
Adults – $30
Pensions – $20
Juniors (13-15yrs) $15
Kids 12 and under free – accompanied by an adult
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 juniors) $70