Jeremy Moore certainly enjoyed an encouraging 2016-17 season, having gained a wealth of knowledge and experience since stepping into AMCA Nationals last season and coming away with some pleasing performances.
After a turbulent start to the season, which was interrupted by three months on the sidelines, the 47-year-old racer from Kybybolite in the south-east of South Australia, threw himself in the deep end for his first race back, travelling to Kalgoorlie International Speedway in Western Australia to contest the Australian Title against some of the country’s best.
Not knowing what to expect, Moore’s campaign in the blue-ribbon event began in the best possible fashion, being the fastest driver in Friday night’s practice session, before winning his opening heat race on the Saturday night. His fortunes quickly turned in heat race two, when he became involved with a lapped car, crashing into the wall and resulting in a costly DNF.
Unfortunately for Moore, his car wasn’t the same for the remainder of the weekend. After some significant but hasty repairs, Moore finished fifth in his third heat race on the Saturday night, ending night one 11th on points. A second-place finish in his final heat race on the Sunday night put him out of position 11 for the Australian Title-deciding feature race, with Moore going on to finish eighth; a pleasing result in what was a damaged car.
Contesting the Western Australian Title the following weekend at Esperance Speedway, Moore gave an impressive performance to finish just off the podium in fourth, while also finishing third at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway in the King of the Murray event earlier this season and collecting another third at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway in Victoria.
Qualifying on pole position for the recent South Australian Title at Waikerie’s Sunline Speedway, Moore set the feature-race pace for the first seven laps, before suffering an ignition problem which led to a heartbreaking DNF.
“It’s been a really pleasing 2016-17 season for us, despite some bad luck, and we’ve achieved some pretty good results, considering we haven’t done that much racing,” commented Moore, who enjoys racing throughout Australia and testing himself against the country’s best drivers.
“I’m really enjoying racing AMCA Nationals, which is a very competitive, yet affordable class with plenty of talented drivers.”
While he had occasionally attended the speedway as a spectator, it wasn’t until the 2015-16 season when Moore was bitten by the racing bug. Liking the look of the AMCA Nationals, he purchased the ex-Tim Reidy Panther chassis and 253 Holden engine just before Christmas in 2015.
Contesting a total of eight race meetings, Moore’s first half season with the class was highlighted by his performance in the South Australian Title at Murray Bridge Speedway, where he qualified out of position 16 for the feature race and went on to impressively finish just off the podium in fourth in what was just his third ever meeting.
This pleasing result gave Moore the confidence boost he needed heading into the 2016-17 season, which saw him upgrade to a Chevrolet engine and quick-change differential in order to remain as competitive as possible.
Heading into the 2017-18 season, Moore is looking forward to completing a full season and remaining a consistent front-running contender.
Moore would like to thank the following 2016-17 season supporters: Aqua Steel Industries, and Diversity Signs, along with special thanks to his pit crew: Sonny and Anna DeLegaspi, Steve Letton, Hamish and Claire. Moore would also like to thank Mick and Tim Reidy for all of their ongoing support.