Nicola Chasing Elusive NSSS Crown

01/12/08…NASR/SSA Media Release
Michael Nicola needs no introduction to Australian speedway fans.  As a three-time Australian Super Sedan champion, Nicola is quite rightly regarded as one of Australia’s finest ever Super Sedan exponents.  In fact, Nicola is one of only three drivers to have won the national title on three occasions.  Having also won five state championships over a 10-year period, this season will see Nicola once again chasing the one major championship to thus far elude him, the Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series.

The Traralgon-based hard charger possesses a never-say-die attitude on the racetrack and his penchant for using the outside of the circuit to round up his rivals has made him a popular figure with race fans.  His memorable performance in the 2007/2008 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series Grand Final at Murray Bridge Speedway is a perfect example of his hard charging style.  Starting at the back of the grid after qualifying through the B main, Nicola stormed through the field, swooping into third spot in the closing stages.

Nicola emerged from the shadow of fellow Victorian Peter Logue when he won the 1997/1998 Australian Super Sedan Championship at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.  He finished third behind Ron Pyne the following year in Mount Gambier and then emphatically proved his home state victory was no fluke with back-to-back wins at Albany (WA) in 2001/2002 and Parramatta (NSW) in 2002/2003. 

Nicola has remained the dominant figure within the Victorian Super Sedan ranks for 10 years, although much of his racing has been interstate chasing all the major events on the national calendar.  In addition to his national title success, Nicola has won both the Victorian and New South Wales titles on two occasions and has also won a South Australian championship.  Furthermore, he has accumulated eight runner-up finishes in state title competition across five states (SA, QLD, WA, NSW and VIC). Nicola has also won the prestigious Apple Isle Grand Prix, Australia’s richest Super Sedan event, in what has been a stellar career thus far.   

With the unprecedented depth of talent within the Super Sedan division across Australia in recent seasons, Nicola certainly hasn’t enjoyed a success strike rate akin to which he has been familiar.  However, he remains a potent force whenever he takes to the track, as evidenced by his results so far this season which include a feature race win at Avalon Raceway and a runner-up result in the Murray Gegg Memorial 30/30 Super Sedan feature race in Toowoomba last weekend.

As a driver with an outstanding record of success and some very strong form already this season, Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF) and the National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR) are very pleased to confirm Michael Nicola as a contracted driver in the 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series.  

For the latest news and series information, visit the official series website at www.nationalsupersedanseries.com 

Michael Nicola             VIC #3
Resides: Traralgon
Car Type: Pontiac Grand Prix
Sponsors: National Warranty Company

The 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Racer Tyres, Shock Doctor, Oval Express Magazine, Art by Mickey, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)