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KNOXVILLE, IOWA (November 4, 2009) - The Robertson Holden International Speedway in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is the second speedway in Australasia to confirm that it will host a 2010 Knoxville World Challenge qualifier for Americans. The 30-lap “Thunder Down Under” international sprintcar series event will take place on January 1, 2010, and it will serve as a qualifying site for Americans for the 2010 World Challenge race during the 50th annual Knoxville Nationals. Said Knoxville director of racing Ralph Capitani, “We are excited to be welcoming Palmerston North into our family of World Challenge qualifying tracks. I expect Ricky Logan and Jonathan Allard won’t be the only Americans competing there on January 1st, as NZ$4,000 to win and a guaranteed starting spot in the Friday, August 13, 2010, Knoxville World Challenge will be on the line.” The Thunder Down Under event, featuring a NZ$12,000 total purse, will join the $30,000-to-win January 23-24, 2010, Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, as official qualifying events for Americans for the seventeenth edition of the World Challenge during the fiftieth Knoxville Nationals. International sprint car drivers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand will continue to be eligible for the Knoxville World Challenge simply by competing in the Knoxville Nationals. The starting line-up for the 2010 World Challenge will remain a sixteen-car inversion based upon a driver’s qualifying night points. Confirmed domestic drivers for the Palmerston North show include current New Zealand champion Dean Brindle and 2007 national champion Jamie McDonald. Some of the other confirmed drivers include Ian Easton, Greg Pickerill, Graeme "Skinny" Colson, Peter Huijs, Bernie Gillion, Kerry-Anne James, Martin Halcrow, and Nelson Hartley. For more information on the Knoxville Raceway and its World Challenge, fans are urged to visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
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