Nicholls sprints for start line

Above: Wayne Nicholls is ready to race in his new car, which will be transported throughout Australia by a new transport vehicle. Above: Wayne Nicholls is ready to race in his new car, which will be transported throughout Australia by a new transport vehicle.

By Glen Atwell
BERWICK sprintcar driver Wayne Nicholls is in a race against the calendar leading up to this year’s World Series Sprintcar competition.
Nicholls is pulling out all stops to make sure his new sprintcar car is roaring and ready to race before 12 November, when the series starts at the Brisbane International Speedway.
Nicholls’ new sprintcar is only halfbuilt, but he said his team was tirelessly putting the pieces together.
“At the moment it’s only a frame, but we’re getting there.
“Once the wing and bonnet are on, it starts looking a bit better,” he said.
The 35yearold is one of 45 drivers in this year’s World Series competition and Nicholls is looking forward to putting pedal to metal.
“I finished 17th last year, but considering how tough the season was, I wasn’t too disappointed.
“I wrecked two cars and blew up a brand new engine, so hopefully things will improve,” Nicholls said.
The season races 19 rounds over two months and takes the teams all over Australia.
“We go from Brisbane to Rockhampton then to Avalon and Mt Gambier, this year there is even a race in Tasmania,” he said.
The hectic eight weeks leaves Nicholls, like his car, burnt out.
“It’s a tough schedule, we’re on the road Christmas Eve and race six times over the following week,” he said.
When Nicholls is supposed to be catching up on some sleep, he finds himself working under the bonnet.
“We work through the night fixing up the car, sometimes there is no sleep at all for the team.
“But I wreck the cars, so I think I should help fix them,” Nicholls laughed.
Being on the road during the season is a lifestyle Nicholls loves.
“It’s stinking hot, and we’re building and racing sprintcars, it’s great,” he said.
Nicholls said the main goal for Australian drivers was to eventually race in the United States.
“The sport is huge over there. For a single event there can be up to 170,000 spectators, it’s unbelievable,” he said.
Nicholls said his beloved sport was enjoying a surge in interest.
“The sport is really on a roll in Australia.
“Last year’s television coverage reached 6.9 million viewers, a great result,” Nicholls said.
With his sponsorship, Nicholls has the luxury of being able to build a new car for the start of each season.
“New cars always go better than old ones, so I can’t wait to get behind the wheel,” he said.