After battling with two of America’s most renowned Sprintcar racers, Tim Van Ginneken finished last Saturday night’s $10,000 to Win All Star Challenge for 360 Sprintcars at Simpson Speedway in third-place on the podium.

The Warrnambool, Victoria-based racer was the highest-placed Australian driver in the All Star Challenge deciding feature race and in the latter stages he had to fight tooth and nail for his spot on the podium.

Van Ginneken held down second place for the majority of the 35-lap feature race, before he was passed in the closing stages by American Terry McCarl for the position and then on the penultimate lap, he was passed for third by another American in Greg Hodnett. An all-or nothing pass on the last lap on Hodnett saw him reclaim the final spot on the podium and hold the position through to the fall of the chequered flag.

Driving the Vic # 36 Lowes Auto Repairs / South West Conveyancing supported Triple X car, which was powered by the Troy Anderson-owned 360 powerplant, Van Ginneken was very pleased with his efforts in his first 360 Sprintcar appearance of the 2016-17 season.

“To be able to race with American professionals in McCarl and Hodnett was a massive thrill, but what made it even better was the fact that I finished on the podium and it was ahead of Hodnett,” Van Ginneken commented, who currently has a 2016-17 season podium tally of
four.

“I had a great car all night, which was due to the good work of my team, and I was very thankful to be able to get the most out of the car and also reward my team for all of their efforts with a podium finish.”

Van Ginneken’s attention now turns back to his 410 Sprintcar activities, and it will begin with this Wednesday night’s President’s Cup at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway, which will be in preparation for this weekend’s Grand Annual Classic at his home track: Warrnambool’s

Premier Speedway. His Grand Annual Classic qualifier is going to be on the Saturday night, and his goals are to be there towards the front for the third and final night on the Sunday night.

“I have one goal for the Grand Annual Classic, and that’s to make Sunday night’s feature race,” Van Ginneken stated, who will be using the Steve Crabbe-owned 410 Sprintcar engine aboard his Vic # 36 machine for this weekend’s Grand Annual Classic campaign.

“If I can achieve that goal, then anything after that will be a bonus. The Grand Annual Classic is one of the country’s biggest events, and with me being a local, it brings even more significance to my team and I.”

Van Ginneken team would like to thank his 2016-17 season sponsors: Lowes Auto Repairs and South West Conveyancing. Special thanks: Brony, Chase, Lexi, Jimmy, Alex, Lindsay, Paul, Troy and Steve.

To find out more about Van Ginneken, LIKE him on Facebook by searching TVG Motorsport v36-v86- w56.