For young Sammy Walsh, Round Three of the Coca Cola Sprintcar Track Championship was eventful to say the least. The 19 year old suffered a broken lifter during hotlaps, affecting his performance all night.

“We had a lifter go on us during hotlaps. In qualifying we didn’t realise what the problem was so internal in the engine and thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until the beginning of hotlaps that we really felt a problem was present.”

Unfortunately for the 2005/2006 Rookie of the year the work area is not open in the heat races.

“I pulled the car up to talk to someone but they wouldn’t allow it. WE had to start from the rear of the field.”

Within a lap the EWT Auto Dismantlers machine was in fourth position and finished in third spot running on only seven cylinders.

“The car felt awesome but something felt wrong. It didn’t have the power in the end and we decided it wasn’t worth going on with it.”

The #92 Cool Chassis was traded in to complete the night in Peter Johnson’s #56 Maxim. Despite using a car he was less accustomed to, the Lansvale resident still crossed the Hog’s Breath Café start finish line in Ninth Position in the A Main.

“He came and asked me if he could drive my car in the A Main and I was in the B Main so I said as long as I can drive it in the A main.” (Peter Johnson commenting on the car swap)

At this stage it is uncertain whether or not the Gasman will be racing in Round Four of the TPCR Coca Cola Championship due to the damage sustained in the previous round.

Sammy Walsh wishes to thank all his sponsors including:

Angel’s Roofing Supplies

EWT Auto Dismantlers

Redline Oil

Tom Worsley Media