The derby will run for one day only, starting at 11am on Saturday for all qualifying races and the feature event is due to be held at the coldest part of the year. The day’s racing has been made even bigger with the crash and bash class on the program as the co-main event, with the Mick Corbett Memorial honouring the late dual crash and bash champion and Alexandra club man.
The derby, with a variety of race cars competing, has been the Alexandra club’s biggest annual event for more than 40 years. This weekend’s line-up once again has a lengthy list of potential winners in the entry list with the same goal — go fast and win.
As usual, the event will bring more than 1500 competitors, crew and fans and potentially much more into Alexandra from Friday night through to Sunday morning. The winner of the big event can expect a $2500 pay day and this makes the event one of the most sought-after wins each year.
Almost 70 drivers, including popular local Luke Fallon, are set to start the qualifying for the derby, with some of the potential winners including Fallon, who has won the event four times; Damien Miller, the fastest sports sedan racer ever at the track; and Lennie Bonnici, the defending champion who has won the past four derbies. Darren Nelson, Corey Lincoln, Colin Lincoln, Brad Warren, Warrick Taylor, Steve Kershaw, Dale Smith, Josh Service, Lee Beach, Daniel Scott, Matt Nelson, Darren Forrest, Andrew Jordan, Peter Cox, Shane O’Brien and David Donegan are among others who could take out the title.
This will be the first time in 27 months that the event will take place after COVID-19 restrictions contributed to the past two events being cancelled.
Competitors in the crash and bash Mick Corbett Memorial include racers who competed with or knew the late, great competitor. The class allows deliberate while restricted contact and when it comes to feature race time, the class turns bonkers as big hits take place. In honour of Corbett’s race number, the final will be over a 68-lap distance, with family friend Mick Sloane returning to competition and running the race number to honour his friend.
Also included in the entry list are some tremendously fast competitors with a mix of drivers who are fast and love to create carnage and others who just create carnage and entertain.
The fans love the crash and bash finals. Russell Hill is returning to action in the class, and he is one who is fast and can and does put on the big hits. Brendan Miller, class veteran Rick Pedler, Nathan Taylor, Anthony Sharam, Shannon Mair, Shane Roycroft, Daniel Kettels, Jason Judd, Brad Trainor, Mark Hebblethwaite, Steve Mitchell, Rob Bushell, Jaidyn Dredge, Alan George and Daniel Williams are just a few competitors fans cannot wait to watch
Racing starts from 11am on Saturday and finishes early in the evening. Entrance will cost $75 for a family of two adults and three kids aged 10 to 16. An adult ticket is $30 and concession and children aged 10 to 16 is $15, with all children under the age of 10 admitted free.
Campers will pay $20 per person for all adults, pensioners, and children over the age of 10 to contribute towards the facilities provided and cleaning the facilities and grounds.
