Harper Back for NSSS Attack
04/12/08….NASR/SSA Media Release
For more than 25 years, Tasmania has been a breeding ground for some of Australia’s very best speedway sedan competitors, producing no less than six Australian Championship wins. The driver seemingly destined to be the next to join this illustrious group is second-generation racer Jarrod Harper. Last season, Harper joined fellow Tasmanian Brad Smith on the national series trail and he is returning this season as a contracted driver in the 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series.
Harper’s quietly spoken personality belies a breathtaking on-track style that never fails to entertain. A hard charger behind the wheel who is renowned for his wheel hiking antics, Harper seemingly delights in swooping around the outside of his opponents regardless of the track conditions. Having started his Super Sedan career in 1990, Jarrod spent many years racing against his illustrious father Neville, a 7-time state titleholder. However, he quickly emerged from his father’s shadow, winning his first state title in 1998. He has since won two more State Championships (2003 and 2006), along with two wins in Australia’s richest Super Sedan event, the Apple Isle Grand Prix (1999 and 2003). He has also won Hobart’s Super Sedan Grand National on two occasions (1999 and 2004).
In recent years, Harper has become a genuine force on the national scene with a string of excellent results in Australian Championship events. In fact, he has qualified for the championship final at every national title he has contested. In the 2000 event, Harper served notice of his abilities with a top ten finish after starting 18th. The 2004 title at Murray Bridge saw Harper suffer the narrowest of defeats after leading for more than half the race. On home soil at Latrobe in 2005, Harper qualified on pole position before ultimately finishing in third spot. He advanced from 12th to finish 4th in the 2006 title at Toowoomba, while a similar performance at Perth’s Kwinana Motorplex the following season saw him finish 6th. Last season, Harper produced an amazing last lap charge to swoop on the leaders and snare a brilliant third-place finish at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway.
In his first attempt at the entire NSSS schedule last season, Harper was as exciting as ever and demonstrated amazing resilience in his recovery from an appendectomy operation. Whilst the surgery prevented him from competing in round three, Harper checked himself out of hospital to be at the Toowoomba circuit to collect attendance points before returning to competition just five days later at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway. Showing few ill-effects from his ordeal, Harper finished 11th in round four and, with two top-ten finishes in the final four rounds, he ultimately finished 16th overall in the championship standings, which was a terrific result under the circumstances.
As one of Australia’s most accomplished Super Sedan pilots and with ongoing sponsorship support from Totalcare Logistics, Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF) and the National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR) are very pleased to confirm Jarrod Harper as a contracted driver in the 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series.
For the latest news and series information, visit the official series website at www.nationalsupersedanseries.com
Jarrod Harper TAS #2
Age: 40
Resides: Hellyer Beach
Car Type: Pontiac Grand Prix
Sponsors: Totalcare Logistics, MDC Mechanical, Wootton & Byrne, Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park, Plunkett Constructions & Enniss Transport.
The 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Racer Tyres, Shock Doctor, Oval Express Magazine, Art by Mickey, Comfort Inn and Suites Robertson Gardens, Rocky Resort Motor Inn, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)