Well this is the Big one for three Aussie NASCAR drivers: Kim Jane, Terry Wyhoon and Neville Lance.
Except for Kim this is the first time they have ventured overseas to race. Kim actually raced in a sportsman race in the US in his first year of racing NASCAR in Australia.
For these three Drivers to get to Motegi, they had to overcome considerable adversity.
Firstly NASCAR in Australia is not blessed with funds, the bulk of the sponsors dollars go to V8SUPERCAR, so finding any sponsorship, let alone funding to run in Japan is extremely difficult.
Virtually all the Drivers have had no experience with flat or large ovals. Their only solid experience has been on the 1 mile Thunderdome and the 1/2 mile Adelaide oval.
When Winston West was invited to run in Japan this was seen as a reward, for it being a well run and progressive series.
This is not so for Aussie NASCAR, where Motegi is being viewed as more of a lifeline for our NASCAR. Aussie NASCAR desperately needs recognition in its own country,V8SUPERCAR dominates everything.
The three drivers know that running in Japan is a risk, complete failure would mean all those expense would be for nothing.
Another aspect of the downturn of Aussie NASCAR is: Loss of competition, many of the better known drivers have left NASCAR and are involved in other forms of Auto racing.
Despite their dated equipment and poorly funded operations I hope these Aussie drivers can do us proud, because no matter what, they will give it their best shot.
