A look at a young gun - By Darren Sutton

The young gun with the shy smile is anything but shy on the track with his good car control and ability to make something out of nothing he will be a factor on Saturday night if he can get the right setup.

Q. Engine & chassis package?
A. Stealth chassis/ Ford Esslinger engine.

Q. Todd this being your second season in Speedcars are you happy with your progress?
A. Yes I was really overwhelmed with the awards that I received at the end of last season as it is great to see your name on a award with so many of the sports champions. I would have liked to have finished higher up the line in the Aust title this year but that is one tough race.

Q. Did you have specific goals at the start of the season and are you on track to meet them.
A. To win a feature race or blue ribbon event would have been great but we are down a bit on horsepower to the top guys so we haven’t been able to crack either of these yet…but we are getting closer

Q. Has Speedcars lived up to your expectations?
A. Yes Speedcars have lived up to my expectations it is a very exciting division my first real exposure to Speedcars was the Australian title at the Kwinana Motorplex. So to have been fortunate enough to race in the last two Australian titles in Sydney and Queensland against Australia’s best and New Zealand and American champions has really helped fulfil my expectations.

Q. Will you be running in Speedcars next season?
A. Although I now have a love of driving Speedcars I have always wanted to have a go at Sprintcars but until an opportunity arrises I will continue to drive the family owned Speedcar.

Q. I know you have a very good team of people behind you how hard has it been for you as a very prominent junior sedan driver to step into Speedcars?
A. it was pretty simple as I went from the very top of junior sedan racing to being the new kid on the block in the Speedcars but with Joes guidance I think I have been able to avoid a lot of the problems other people may have when starting out in Speedcars so with his guidance and the skills I gained in racing sedans has really allowed me to perform well and get some good results for my team and sponsors.

Q. Was there a pressure on you to do well straight away because of you record in the sedan ranks?
A. a little bit knowing there would have been a few people out there watching to see if I could perform in the midgets after a very successful sedan career. And I don’t think I have done a bad job so far.

Q. Who do you rate as the biggest threat for the WA title this weekend?
A. if you look at history and current form it would have to be Scotty and Nev

Q. Can Todd Waddell win this weekend?
A. I believe I am capable of finishing at the pointy end but it’s a long race with some very tough competitors.

Sponsors: Little Industries, TLC, Mclean contracting, K&N4WD, A1 Patios, Statewide oils.
Car owners: Shane and Julie Richards
Crew: Joe Little, Ben Richards, John Hollings, Bryan Reid, Sam Lizzi