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Raw Fuel
Racing team driver Antony Jeffrey definitely experienced a lot in his rookie season of Sprintcar racing at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway (TPCR) and although there were more downs than ups it has certainly toughened him up heading into next season.
Jeffrey openly admits that he thought Sprintcars would be a lot easier to drive, but he found out quite quickly that it wasn't so easy. One thing that Jeffrey says made the learning process difficult was a lack of vital track time around TPCR.
“With the TPCR format the way it is, if you miss the Top 48 in qualifying you don't get a lot of laps and with an average car count of over 50 cars it was hard for me,” explain Jeffrey.
“For any rookie nothing beats track time and this was something I didn't get a lot of.”
After starting his rookie season in a 372 cubic inch powerplant, Jeffrey quickly stepped up to a 410 in December after only a handful of meeting on the board.
“I guess people would say that I should have stayed with the 372 engine, and they might be right, but I'm glad I made the switch to the 410 when I did,” admits Jeffrey.
“When I first stepped into a Sprintcar it was very daunting, but once I overcame the fear factor I went a lot better.”
There were some hard lessons learnt and Jeffrey had his fair share of spins and rollovers.
“The mistakes I made were frustrating but in the end it all comes down to experience and learning from your mistakes,” he says.
“It's easy for people to criticize, but until they actually get out there and try it for themselves they don't have much room to comment.
“Sprintcar racing is not meant to be easy and it's a challenge that I really enjoy.”
Many may ask why Jeffrey chose Sprintcars straight up instead of another open wheel division of Speedway beforehand to learn the ropes.
“Sprintcar racing is the ultimate adrenaline rush and to be frank I didn't really want to do anything else,” explains Jeffrey, who is the cousin of Lynton and Paul Jeffrey.
“Although it's been a tough learning experience that is far from finished, I love the thrill of racing Sprintcars.”
Heading into next season Jeffrey has set a number of goals for himself and they include: completing the entire TPCR track Championship and to also build up to a competitive pace aboard his # 47 Wesmar powered J & J.
“In the 15 shows I did last season I leant a lot, especially not what to do in a Sprintcar, and it's going to make me a better driver in the long run,” Jeffrey admits.
“When I first stepped into a Sprintcar I was very naive and I wanted things (the speed and the results) to come instantly.
“I now comprehend that all these things take time and I'm a lot wiser going into next season because of this.”
Since a young age Jeffrey has been around the sport of Speedway and in fact served his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic with the legendary Sedan racer from the Liverpool era, Ron Spink. Later on Jeffrey became involved with the Alan and Rod Day family where he was a pit crewed for the late Rod in his Speedcar. After Rod's death in a Speedcar at TPCR in 1992, Jeffrey stepped away from the sport to concentrate on his business commitments.
It wasn't until well over a decade later that Jeffrey returned to the Speedway for the first time since his departure in early 2005 and that was enough to entice him to take up the challenge of Sprintcar racing with an old friend, Alan Day.
-Ends Release-
Raw Fuel Racing media enquiries Daniel Powell - Redline Media
Phone: 0246 832464
Mobile: 0439 639 992
Email: Daniel@redlinemedia.com.au
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