Motor Racing
5 December, 2025
Young guns gear up for junior title showdown
For speedway fans, not much compares to the spills and thrills of 360 sprintcar racing.
So locals are in for a treat at Blue Ribbon Raceway this Saturday, with the 360 Sprintcar Series coming to town.
Along with the SSV 1200 Junior Victorian Title, the Street Stocks Victorian Coastal Series and support from Production Sedans and V8 Trucks, there will be action aplenty on track.
Among the drivers nominated are Jack Mills (Juniors), Tom Baker (Sprintcars) and Riley Rampling (Street Stocks).
Mills, 16, will be hoping to claim his first Title win this Saturday.
He's no stranger to success, having claimed the chequered flag numerous times and is also the current Club Champion for the Horsham Motor Sport Club and Class Champion for 1200 Juniors.
But despite his previous achievements, Mills said he is still feeling nervous heading into his first title.
"Especially because there are 22 cars nominated," added the driver.
He said the event being held at his home track does favour him slightly.
"I've raced here the most," he said.
"I've also had more chances to set the car up for the Horsham track rather than anywhere else."
Mills said the achievement would be amazing if he were to claim the win, as it's been a big goal of his to earn Victoria #1 on his panels.
"It'd be nice to also prove you don't need the flashiest car to win," he added.
While Mills has a chance to claim the chequered flag in the feature, he said he has some big competition - including another local racer.
"I think my biggest competition will be Archie Thomas because he's also been racing Horsham as long as I have," Mills said.
"Jaylen Knight will also be a contender to win the Title because she's a great racer."
From the little people on track to one of the baddest and biggest classes - pilot of the VA1 in sprintcars - Tom Baker, has been racing in the class for just a couple of seasons.
"I'm still very much a rookie as I've only done seven or eight races in the Sprintcar," he said.
"I started competition racing when I was 16 in limited sportys, then I was lucky enough to drive for Darren/Jordy Mansell in their PMP F500."
He said the Blue Ribbon track is suited well to class' open wheeled racing, from bottom to mid track and occasionally up on the fence.
While a win would be great, Baker said he hopes to gain more seat time during the meeting on Saturday to learn more.
"I'd love to be somewhere at the front and get more confident with the car setup," he added.
Another driver who is hoping to learn more about his car is Street Stock driver Riley Rampling.
He will be using the event this Saturday as a test for the Victorian Street Stock Title to be held at Blue Ribbon early next year.
Rampling is brand new to the world of Street Stocks, having come over from Formula 500s just this season.
"I'm pretty fresh to it all, really," Rampling said.
"But I'm finding it good, I'm just getting my head around the car, and the rest of it, but it's definitely fun."
While many Street Stock steerers will be using the meeting for a bit of practice before the Victorian Title is held at the venue next year, Rampling said it's about seat time and getting to know his vehicle for him.
In just his third tilt in the class, Rampling said he will also be looking to gain knowledge of the track ahead for future reference.
Gates open at Blue Ribbon on Saturday at 4.30pm, with the flag for racing dropping at 6pm.
Adults are $30, pensioners $25, students $10 and children under 12 are free.
Full nominations are as follows:
1200 Juniors: NT0 - Lincoln Meekings, Wang4 - Ryder Lack, GV4 - Libby Ahearn, AX7 - Charlie Fallon, HO16 - Rebecca Johnstone, N17 - Jaylen Knight, AX22 - Dayne Murdoch, DDA22 - Jai Alexander, AX24 - Max Murdoch, DDA34 - Cruz Taylor, AX35 - Hunter James, HO41 - Ollie Mills, NT41 - Jamie Lightfoot, DDA43 - Ryder Taylor, HO51 - Archie Thomas, DDA58 - Holley Hutchinson, DDA68 - Roary Southam, DS84 - Zeke Warren, HO86 - Max Hughes, HO88 - Kylie Clarke, AX93 - Bryden Bishop and HO95 - Jack Mills.
Production Sedans: BGO0 - Anthony Hanson, HO11 - Peter Dowling, HA25 - Nathan Hutchins, HO26 - James Robinson, HA33 - Brad Colquhoun, HA41 - Greg Hutchins and HA74 - Steve Perry.
LS/360 Sprintcars: VA8 - Steven Horton, V9 - Jordan Rae, S9 - Brett Clarke, V10 - Steven Loader, VA1 - Thomas Baker, V15 - David Dennison, V19 - Sam Wren, V20 - Thomas Mcdonald, V24 - Zack Rogerson, VA26 - Koby Noonan, S45 - Isla Rowett, S46 - Hilton Rowett, V52 - Rusty Ponting, VA57 - Koby Oshannassy, V65 - Kane Newcombe, V71 - Jason Feltham, V81 - Justin Bowen, V87 - Jock Baker, V91 - James Oliver, V92 - Alex Ryan and SA98 - Hayden Vickers.
Street Stocks: M4 - Jack Jordan, TBA - Morris Ahearn, DDA17 - Michael Monaghan, C25 - Jacob Kelly, G29 - Ashley Fox, AV38 - Scott Purdie, SH51 - Riley Rampling, HA57 - Troy Hose, B84 - Dean Whatmore, AX93 - Mathew Bishop, NY94 - Steven Hardie and SH96 - Hayden Glare.
V8 Trucks: HO11 - Leigh Bell, HO22 - Cody Bell, HO24 - Jacinta Holding, HO56 - Belinda Taylor, HO57 - Luke James and HO67 Maxi Muller.
