Parker sponsored Dumesny 
takes WSS points title

After 15 rounds of competition in Australia's World Series Sprintcars series, Donny Schatz finished one-spot short of the championship.

"It's frustrating, but all in all we had a great run," said Schatz, following his second run at the WSS title. "I can't thank Luch Monte and Jeff Grubisa enough for putting this team together and letting me run their car. We had some great nights and a few that cost us in the point's chase. They like to win and I like to win, so finishing second isn't sitting that well with us."

Schatz finished 389 points behind Max Dumesny after leading the series in Feature victories (7) and Heat Wins (14). He was also voted the Hard Charger and Driver's Driver by his peers in the series.

"Max had a great year and my hat goes off to him," said Schatz. "We had motor trouble on the second night and were fighting uphill the entire series. Max and his guys stayed consistent during the entire schedule. Even the nights where we won, he was right behind us a lot of times. You can't make up points that way, but we had a lot of fun racing with all of the competitors."

Schatz started and ended the series with a victory and continued to prove he's one the most talented sprint car drivers in the world. He does have one final mission on this Australian Tour prior to returning home to prepare for the upcoming 2002 Pennzoil World of Outlaws season. The "Minot Missile" will try to repeat his victory in last year's Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic on Saturday and Sunday at Premiere Speedway in Warrnambool.

(Article by Bill Klingbeil)
(Photos by Brian Darby)