For Mills Motorsport the 2017-2018 race season proved to be not only one of the team’s busiest and longest, but one of their most successful over recent years. They travelled over 16,000kms, competing in 14 race meetings from Murray Bridge in SA, through to Lismore in far north NSW. The team’s primary focus for the season was the Diamond Air Speedcar Super Series (SSS) along with the time honoured Australian Speedcar Championship held at Murray Bridge’s Murray Machining and Sheds Speedway. In amongst these events were plenty of other notable blue ribbon and club events throughout Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
Let’s take look back at the season
The season commenced in strong fashion with 5 podiums in the first 6 meetings of the season: 3 wins - 1 VSDA Club Show, Rnd 3 SSS and the Victorian Speedcar Championship 2 second places - Rnd 1 & 2 SSS DNF - Beasley Memorial
The highlight was the weekend of January 6th and 7th where Squizzy took out his first ever Speedcar Super Series Amain at Mt Gambier, followed by winning his second career Victorian Championship the next night at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway. This win put the Mills family in the record books as the first father and son combination to have both won two championships.
These results gave the team great confidence heading towards the South Australian and Australian Championships in early February at Murray Bridge.
Although slightly below what Squizzy and the team wanted to achieve in both these events, two fourth placings were still quite good, considering the competition at both weekends of racing. Australia’s absolute best, along with Kiwi superstars Michael Pickens and Hayden Williams were in attendance for these two events; along with American hot shot Alex Bright and the legendary Dave Darland. A pair of fourths amongst this company is quite respectable.
Moving on from the Australian Championship, the second half of the season was a mixed bag of results. A third placing at the fourth round of the SSS at Lismore was followed by the team’s lowest point of the season. A crash while leading Skip’s Race with only a handful of laps remaining resulted in a small trip to hospital for a check over. Luckily with minimal damage to the car and Squizzy given the all clear, the team were then off to Murray Bridge again for the two night Easter Nationals. An uncharacteristic engine issue would sideline the team on the opening night, putting a premature end to their weekend.
The final three events of the season saw Squizzy have his fourth win of the season at Wangaratta, before the team headed north to contest the final round of the SSS and 50 Lap Classic at Valvoline Raceway, Sydney. In a field comprising of 14 kiwis, 2 Americans and Australia’s best, these final two meetings would prove to be the toughest 2 weeks of racing for the season. The SSS grand final once again saw Squizzy qualify extremely well, the only Australian inside the top 5 after time trials and began the Amain from p6 before fading in the main to finish 12th. This result however would see the team win their first Speedcar Super Series crown, becoming only the 6th winner in its 13 year history and the first Victorian to achieve such a result.
The next weekend a massive 52 cars would assemble to contest the prestigious 50 Lap Speedcar Classic. Again, Squizzy would qualify exceptional, being 4th on points after heat racing. Squizzy ran solid in 10th place for most of the race until a rear suspension failure would end his chances of another solid result.
This season was not just significant because of the Speedcar results but young Caleb competed in what was to be his last season in Quarter Midgets. Competing in 7 events at Bacchus March’s Rolling Thunder Quarter Midget Raceway, Caleb had a great year, picking up four wins, a second and two thirds. The highlight for Caleb would be winning the Lucas Oil Nationals recently, as well as a second in the Skip memorial race earlier in the season. And just as one chapter ends another begins - Caleb’s dream is to drive a Speedcar professionally in the future, and having turned 16 recently, has already had a taste. The team held off the off season proceedings in-order to allow Caleb the opportunity to run a test session in Squizzy’s car. Caleb impressed with smooth consistent laps, and is now even more eager to secure a midget ride full time.
All in all, it was a very successful season that could not have happened without the dedication and hard work of all the Mills Motorsport partners, crew and supporters.
Our naming rights partner Dutton Garage have been instrumental in enabling us to do what we’ve done this season and have provided an immense amount of support on many levels behind the scenes; combined with all our partners and product partners who all play a pivotal role within our team – we can’t thank you all enough.
We’d love if all our fans and followers could support those that support us where possible.
Massive thanks must go to Clinton, John, Kelvin, Katie, Caleb, AJ and Dan who work extremely hard week after week . Thanks also to Sherrin, Janette, Donna, Kapri, Kiarni, Aaron, Karina, Krystle, Carina, Mick, Scott, Cam, Lucy and Peter for not only your support but for allowing your loved one to dedicate so much time, money and energy to us throughout the season.
The team will now focus on preparing for next season - the engine has recently been delivered GRD for its annual check-up and some minor chassis upgrades are already underway.
Stay tuned for 2018-2019 season announcements including partner opportunities
Photo Credit: Mills Motorsport Group
