The current Australian Champion, a host of interstaters and a hot field of locals are primed to battle it out over the biggest week on the Northern Territory 360 Sprintcar calendar, the Top End Challenge, which is to be held over the next two weekends at Darwin’s Northline Speedway.

Starting with the Cadillac Transport supported Darwin Title this Friday and Saturday night, drivers will face a total of four tough nights of competition as they return the following weekend (August 29 and 30) to battle it out for victory in the HB Concrete supported Northern Territory Title.

Local Jason McIver dominated both the Darwin Title and Northern Territory last year. The third-generation racer has been the form driver so far this season too, winning five out of six feature races and will be one of the leading contenders.

Stiff opposition will come courtesy of reigning Australian Champion and All Stars Series Champion Chad Ely. The South Australian, who will be guest driving in the second Nick Halkitis car, will be looking to add to his sizeable trophy cabinet as he makes his Northline Speedway debut, using the week’s racing to familiarise himself with ahead of his Australian Title defence at the venue in September next year.

Apart from McIver and Ely, another local in the form of Ben Atkinson will be no pushover. Atkinson has this season been running in both 410 and 360 Sprintcar competition, and will no doubt be a front-running contender.

Victorian youngster Zac Farrer will be contesting the Top End Challenge aboard the second Mark King owned car with its ‘Captain America’ livery. Earlier this season, last season’s All Stars Series ‘Rookie of the Year’ got his first taste of Northline Speedway, and no doubt heads into the event with more confidence.

The likes of Nick Halkitis, Dale Griffin and Danny Porter will be also out to uphold local honour. Another driver to watch out for will be local Sprintcar rookie Tim Woolfe, who has impressed so far this year since stepping up from the AMCA National class.

In terms of the Top End Challenge format, a total of two heat races and a preliminary feature race will be held on both Friday nights of both the Darwin Title and Northern Territory Title, while the Saturday night formats will comprise of one further heat race and then the feature race to decide the Darwin Title and Northern Territory Title winners respectively. At the conclusion of the four nights of competition, an overall Top End Challenge Champion will be awarded.

Supplementary regulations and nomination forms for the Top End Challenge can be downloaded at www.nt360sprintcars.com.au

To find out more about the Top End Challenge, visit www.nt360sprintcars.com.au or contact Jason McIver on 0408 818 544.