For James McFadden, the state of Western Australia hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground. However, going by his results in last weekend’s opening two Western Australian rounds of the World Series SprintcarsChampionship that looks to be changing for the better.

For James McFadden, the state of Western Australia hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground. However, going by his results in last weekend’s opening two Western Australian rounds of the World Series Sprintcars Championship that looks to be changing for the better.

McFadden’s consistent run, which consisted of a sixth place at Kalgoorlie International Speedway last Wednesday night and then a runner up finish in last Saturday night’s Attwell Park Speedway round, have rewarded him by consolidating his current World Series point standings lead.

“We’ve always struggled over in Western Australia for one reason or another, so it’s great to be able to have a solid weekend and hopefully we can build on that,” expressed McFadden. “It was pleasing to fight back at Kalgoorlie after we had dropped a heat race earlier in the night, and at Attwell Park we were one of the fastest cars all night, but in the end Jason Johnson pipped us for the win after we had a great battle out in front.”

With only three rounds of the World Series Championship remaining, the focus for McFadden over the next two weekends is to protect his lead in the overall point standings. Currently he enjoys a 409 lead over his nearest rival and hopes to maintain that in order to create World Series history by becoming the first non-contracted driver to take out the final point standings.

“There is still a lot of points up for grabs between now and the final round, so it’s just a matter of focusing on the task at hand and getting it done,” enthused the NQ # 25 Totally Workwear Midland & VIC Park supported COOL driver. “Although I’ll be out there aiming to protect my lead, I’m not going out there and not give it 100 per cent, as that’s not my style.”

Last Wednesday night for the Kalgoorlie International Speedway, which is the home town round for car owner Scott Milling, McFadden posted the third fastest lap in time trials and then went on to finish ninth in his opening heat race and unfortunately fail to finish in the other. Despite dropping a heat race, he still managed to qualify directly into the feature race field out of position 12. In trying conditions he worked his way forward to finish in sixth. Two nights later, the World Series made its debut at Attwell Park Speedway, and McFadden got his night off to a perfect start by setting quick time in time trials. A fifth and a sixth place finish in his two heat races earned him a spot into the Top 8 pole shootout and he ended up in fourth. In the feature race, McFadden dictated the pace for the majority of the 30-lap distance. In the latter stages, McFadden battled with Jason Johnson for the lead, before the American got upper hand and took the win by a narrow margin.  

This Wednesday night (February 8) the 13^th round of World Series will be held at Manjimup Speedway, followed by the two night 14^th and penultimate round at Bunbury City Speedway on Friday and Saturday night (February 10 and 11).