Kane Confirmed for Series Return
10/10/07…NASR/ASCF Media Release
Twelve months ago, it looked as though Darren Kane might have been lost to the Super Sedan division when a serious illness forced him to step away from racing and depart the Ian Boettcher Race Parts team after a very successful collaboration. Kane needs no introduction to Australian speedway fans, having firmly established himself amongst the upper echelon of Super Sedan competitors and widely regarded as one of the best in the business before his illness intervened. Now fully recovered, Kane is returning to competition and has secured a place as a contracted driver with the 2007/2008 National Super Sedan Series.
Kane started his Super Sedan career in 1990 and enjoyed almost instant success, winning the 1990/1991 Tasmanian Super Sedan Championship. He remained a dominant figure on the tough Tasmanian scene, ultimately securing two more state championship wins with back-to-back titles in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
Moving beyond his local successes, Kane rose to prominence on the national scene in the 1998/1999 Australian Super Sedan Championship at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway when he finished in second spot behind Ron Pyne. The following year at Hobart International Speedway produced an identical result with Kane again filling the runner-up spot behind Pyne.
After relocating to Queensland during the 2002/2003 season, the move produced a change in fortunes in national title competition and Kane triumphantly strode to the top of Australian Championship podium with a narrow victory in the 2003/2004 event at Murray Bridge Speedway in South Australia. Other impressive results followed, including wins in the East Coast Grand National in Lismore and the Tasmanian Grand National in Hobart.
Kane made an instant impression in NSSS competition last season with a scintillating drive to victory in the opening round of the 2006/2007 series at Rockhampton Speedway. After qualifying 14th, Kane scythed through the field and surged into the lead through turn four on the penultimate lap to score an amazing win. Consistent results throughout the remaining rounds – which included two top-five results and a runner-up finish in Toowoomba – saw Kane finish fourth overall in the series
In local competition last season, Kane’s abbreviated campaign brought some outstanding results, including five feature race wins. In fact, Kane was leading the Super Sedan Association championship before illness intervened and ended his season prematurely, curtailing what seemed a certain series victory.
Having consistently demonstrated his prowess behind the wheel, Kane’s return to competition is a boon for the category and Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF) and the National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR) are very pleased to confirm Darren Kane as a contracted driver in the 2007/2008 National Super Sedan Series. Other drivers confirmed for the 2007/2008 series include Wayne Randall, Michael Gee, Brad Smith, Dave Gartner, Paddy Ward and Jamie McHugh, with further announcements to follow in the weeks ahead.
For the latest news and series information, visit the official series website at www.nationalsupersedanseries.com
Darren Kane – QLD #5 – Age: 38 – Resides: Ipswich – Car Type: Dodge Intrepid
Sponsors: Custom Transporters and Trailers, Ian Boettcher Race Parts, Amazing Signs, Wizard Towing
The 2007/2008 SSA/NASR National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors: Custom Transporters and Trailers, Sport Engines, AFCO Shock Doctor, Art by Mickey, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)