Bendigo sprintcar driver Rusty Hickman is ready for second Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic

The Bendigo teenager won best presented car, was involved in a big night one B-Main crash with former winner Tim Kaeding and missed the final night’s A-Main “by one spot”.

He had no nerves then.

And that’s the same laidback approach he’ll take into his second Classic tilt this weekend.

“I treated it as another race,” Hickman said ahead of Australia’s biggest sprintcar showcase at Allansford’s Premier Speedway.

“I’d like to make the final night A-Main, that’s my main expectation.

“I am pretty confident. I feel like we’ve got a lot of car speed now and are pretty right on the set-up.

“We’re pretty confident heading into Warrnambool because the last three times we’ve been there now we’ve had pretty good results.”

Hickman, who has worked on his race craft as he strives to become a consistent A-Main contender, enjoyed a breakout 2017-18 season.

He won the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria Series in March and signed as a World Series Sprintcars’ qualified driver for the 2018-19 campaign.

Hickman, 19, was introduced to racing through his dad Darren.

They’re often on the road with the Avalon track, which is a two-hour drive, the closest to their Bendigo home.

“We’ve been home since Thursday last week but other than that we’ve been on the road since Boxing Day,” he said.

Off the track, Hickman is deciding on a future career choice.

“I’ve just finished my apprenticeship as an engine builder and now I am doing an arborist course, so I am tree cutting at the moment,” he said.

“It’s definitely hard labour but I enjoy it.

“You definitely don’t need to go to the gym doing this job.”

The Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic field is split in two for qualifying on Friday and Saturday nights.

Hickman will race on Friday night alongside the likes of James McFadden and Jamie Veal – both Warrnambool drivers and past winners – and American visitors Kaeding, Parker Price-Miller and Cory Eliason.

American-based Australian Ian Madsen, who competes on the World of Outlaws circuit and is the brother of multiple Classic winner Kerry, will also be among the opening night’s contenders.

The top 96 cars will qualify for Sunday’s program.

The top 24 cars will advance to the 40-lap A-Main finale which will determine the overall winner.

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