MT. GAMBIER (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) – Donny Schatz returned to Australia this week with one goal in mind: Win three more features. On Friday night, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series star from Fargo, ND, accomplished the first leg by dominating the King’s Challenge at Borderline Speedway in Mt. Gambier, South Australia, driving his #15 ParkerStore J&J with Shaver power.

Schatz won Friday’s feature event after earning the pole position. He qualified sixth in the field and following a tough run in the third heat, he raced from 8th to win the sixth heat race. The heat win earned Schatz a spot in the Hoosier Tires Pole Shootout, which he won after starting third and racing past fellow Outlaws Daryn Pittman and Tim Kaeding.

The 27 year-old has been one of the hottest sprint car drivers in the world during the past six months winning major Outlaw races to conclude the 2004 season and more recently winning five times on Australian soil during a ten-race stint. His recent success included not only the Outlaws Down Under finale at Parramatta City Raceway, but also his fourth $50,000-to-win Sprintcar International. Those wins helped persuade Schatz to return to Australia this weekend for a chance to capture the prestigious Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Premier Speedway for the third time in his career.

“We weren’t sure about the format if it would help us or not having to qualify,” continued Schatz, who be in his familiar #15 ParkerStore J&J on Saturday and Sunday night. “In the end, it’s all about having the best car in the 40-lap feature. We learned a lot racing at Parramatta and Warrnambool is a little different. Having a legend like Garry Rush in your corner is a major plus for us and there shouldn’t be too many surprises.”

“We just hope to go out and do our best each night,” continued Schatz. “The Classic is like our Knoxville Nationals and it brings out the best in everyone over there. We’re excited to be in the event, and as added bonus we'll get to race in the World Challenge again at the Nationals.”

By competing in the Classic, Schatz will be eligible to participate in the Clean-O World Challenge presented by www.fleetbuyinggroup.com during this year’s Knoxville Nationals in August. Schatz won the Challenge after starting in the last row in 2001 and 2002.

Following this weekend’s event, Schatz will return home and get prepared for the World of Outlaws Sprint Series first race of 2005 in the United States, February 11 and 13 at Volusia Raceway Park in Barberville, FL.

(Photo Courtesy of Doug Johnson)