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The Heavy Car Experience Veronica Was Looking For
RHR posted Tuesday April 15, 2008.

On Saturday night Veronica qualified the #50 United Equipment/ SlingLift & Rigging/ Atlas Specialty Metals Intimidator in position 16 for the final round of the Pro Dirt Late Model Series. After a 20 lap main in tough track conditions, McCann had moved up the field to cross the line in 6th position in the Gold Cup finale.

“That’s the kind of track that makes you appreciate the time you spend in the gym!”

The past two seasons has seen Veronica McCann focus on her US campaign. With her sights still clearly set on her goals overseas, the 24 year old came to an arrangement during her US summer to compete in a handful of shows back on home soil under the guidance of Allan Blake.

“I remember getting the phone call from Dad, it was Knoxville Nationals time and we were packing the hauler up. He was telling me that Al (Allan Blake) was keen to do something for the upcoming season”

“Lyn (St James) had told me that you need to try and put yourself in the best position possible to achieve the best results that you can with the opportunity that you’re given. And that’s what we did. I said straight up, that I have a lot of respect for Allan’s knowledge and for Brad as a driver”

McCann met up with Allan during her final week in the US to “start learning about these heavy cars”. Veronica made it back home on Australian soil just in time for the Australian summer of racing to start. Red Hot Roni was armed with the 01 Rayburn that American racer Ron Miller competes in during his Australian visits.

With a few shows under her belts in the Rayburn it was time to switch things up. The long awaited arrival of the Intimidator had come. The new machine was prepped and ready to race the remaining rounds of the Pro Dirt Late Model series.

“Although I was new to the Late Model scene, it was still a pretty exciting aspect to take a car that no one else had in Australia and try and make it work”

The 2007/2008 season “Down Under” was a planned attack on McCann’s behalf to broaden her racing resume. The Perth Motorplex would play host to several rounds of the series this past summer and Veronica was no stranger to the facility having previously won the Open Sprintcar Track Championship in 2002 / 2003.

“I think deep down everyone would love to come into a new division and set the world on fire – that’s a given if you’re a competitive person. I was there to learn and in the process had some fairly good results”

As the learning curve progressed Veronica was able to caputure a top 10 result in Series Championship standings in both the Pro Dirt Late Model Series along with the Perth Motorplex Track Championship

Kart World Belmont Pro Dirt Series Final Standings (Top 10)
1 Craig Vosbergen 886
2 Warren Oldfield 859
3 Brad Blake 826
4 Ryan Halliday 738
5 Jason Oldfield 711
6 Jay Cardy 698
7 Ben Ludlow 666
8 Matt Noakes 641 (Rookie)
9 Veronica McCann 571 (Rookie)
10 Kevin Bell 517

Perth Motorplex Track Championship Final Standings (Top 10)
1 Craig Vosbergen 1996
2 Ryan Halliday 1993
3 Brad Blake 1982
4 Terry Chamberlain 1868
5 Jay Cardy 1849
6 Ben Ludlow 1788
7 Veronica McCann 1785 (Rookie)
8 Phil Richards 1778
9 Clint Noakes 1760
10 Brad Ludlow 1730

Working hard - Veronica during heat two action breaking a rim. Pic by Darren Sutton

Some air time for Veronica. Pic by Darren Sutton