Smith Ready to Bounce Back
NASR/ASCF Media Release…20/09/07
Devonport’s Brad Smith has quite rightly earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most popular Super Sedan drivers. Since bursting into the national consciousness with a stellar performance at the 2002/2003 Australian Super Sedan Championship at Parramatta City Raceway, Smith has remained at the forefront of the national Super Sedan scene, clocking up an impressive array of results in high profile events across the country. Smith is a competitor with a penchant for the spectacular, adopting a never-say-die attitude that thrills fans and often leaves his rivals frustrated and forlorn in defeat.
In his home state, Smith has been one of the dominant figures for many years, accumulating a string of feature race victories. Having finished as runner-up in the Tasmanian Super Sedan Championship on consecutive occasions in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003, Smith broke through for his first state title victory during the 2003/2004 season. He has also finished among the top four in Australia’s richest race – the Apple Isle Grand Prix at Latrobe Speedway – on two occasions. Having made regular forays across the Tasman in pursuit of success, Smith finished third in the 2003/2004 Victorian Super Sedan Championship and has won four rounds of the VSSA Southern Nationals Series. He also scored a top ten finish in the inaugural Grenville Anderson Memorial race at Lismore Speedway.
After qualifying on pole position for the national title final at Parramatta, Smith had established a substantial lead before a broken axle intervened and quashed his title aspirations. The following year at Murray Bridge, Smith bounced back and confirmed his status amongst the category’s elite with a top five finish against more than 60 drivers.
During the inaugural national series, Smith collected four heat wins, finished amongst the top five on five occasions from six rounds, featured on the podium twice and was in contention for the series win heading into the final round at Speedway City. He was also awarded the Oval Express/Sport Engines Hard Charger Award for his efforts, passing more cars in feature races than any other competitor on his way to finishing fourth overall in the championship. Such a performance was particularly meritorious given the extra time, effort and logistical requirements to take part in the series from his Tasmanian base.
Whilst last year saw Smith experience an indifferent NSSS campaign, there were occasional glimpses of the spectacular style for which he is renowned. With all major sponsors back on board for the coming season, along with a brand new self-constructed Devil-Pontiac GTO that is nearing completion, Smith is confident of regaining full fitness after a serious off-season leg injury and thrilling fans at each of the eight series venues with a return to his barnstorming best.
Subsequently, Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF) and the National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR) are very pleased to confirm Brad Smith as a contracted driver in the 2007/2008 National Super Sedan Series, joining Wayne Randall and Michael Gee on the driver roster, with further announcements to follow in the weeks ahead. For the latest news and series information, visit the official series website at www.nationalsupersedanseries.com
Brad Smith TAS #6, Age: 38, Resides: Devonport, Car Type: Pontiac GTO
Sponsors: Little Transport, Devil Race Cars, The CV Centre, Tongs Sheet Metal, Noodle Box, American Racer Tyres
The 2007/2008 SSA/NASR National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors: Custom Transporters and Trailers, Sport Engines, AFCO Shock Doctor, Art by Mickey, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)
