Des Jeffree will make a return to Super Sedan racing this weekend at the 2019/2020 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series opening Desert Nationals at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (August 3 and 4).
He will also compete in round two of the Series – the NT Nationals – the very next weekend at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip across August 9 and 10.
Racing since 2012, Jeffree has made appearances in Super Sedan over the years but until now has been more well known in the Super Street ranks for his exploits aboard his Holden Commodore VZ. With the acquisition of Dave Yanco’s Holden HQ Ute, he is now back for a proper attack on the bracket.
“The ute has been completely freshened up and revamped; it looks pretty flash and I am looking forward to going faster!” grinned Jeffree.
“I have been in Super Sedan before with my old car but it wasn’t quite quick enough. I have had reasonable success with it in the Super Street bracket but while I have claimed the runner-up honours at a Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series round before I am yet to get an elusive Christmas Tree, so hopefully we can fix that situation soon!
“The ute is just a whole different ball game – it is bigger, it is louder, and it is significant jump for me to go from a 333 cubic inch engine to 565 cubic inches!
“I am expecting the competition in Super Sedan is going to be a lot tighter as there are always quite big fields and the winning margins are very small – you have to right on top of your game.
“The speed of the bracket is a real drawcard for me too – I have this theory that the older you get, the faster you have to go because you have less time to get there!” Jeffree laughed.
While the Portland (Victoria) racer is looking to launch a full assault on the 2019/2020 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Super Sedan championship chase, he will also stay in touch with the Super Street scene.
“We are shaping up to launch a fairly aggressive campaign this season in the Ute. I am going to make every effort to attend every Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series round – it will be a steep learning curve but the only way to do it is to throw yourself in the deep end, after all, if you can’t touch the bottom you have no choice but to swim!” Jeffree exclaimed.
“Everybody that goes racing is obviously competitive – we do it for the adrenalin and for the fun, and if you can get a win then that is all the better!
“I do like to win though – I have got a good trophy cabinet at home which is reasonably full, but there is still that elusive ANDRA Christmas Tree to lock down.
“Alongside the full Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Super Sedan campaign I will also still be making appearances in Super Street at other events – the bracket is made up of a great bunch of blokes and I still have my Super Street car so I will be bringing it out when I can.”
Helping him with the beginning of his 2019/2020 program will be his new car’s old owner, Dave Yanco.
“I have to thank Dave who will be making the trip from Brisbane to Alice Springs to give me a hand with initial car set-up and so on,” Jeffree said.
“I also want to recognise my sponsors, Force 8 Contractors, Never Late Freight and Brass Compass Restaurant, for their support as well as all of my crew and also a big thanks to Peter Tzokas for his help in putting things together.
“Here is to a successful and safe season for all of the competitors!”
Alice Springs Inland Dragway will host the first round of the 2019/2020 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, the Desert Nationals, across August 3 and 4 before round two, the NT Nationals, will take place at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip on August 9 and 10.
For event information, please visit www.desertnationals.com.au or www.hiddenvalleydragstrip.com.au.
For more information on the 2019/2020 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, please visit www.andra.com.au
