Giovanni Scelzi Captures First Career International Win During Quick Trip to Australia

Inside Line Promotions – WARRNAMBOOL, Victoria, Australia (Jan. 25, 2019) – Giovanni Scelzi earned his first career international victory during only his second race in Australia earlier this month.

Scelzi, who was driving for Domain Ramsey and Bernie Stuebgen with help from Dave Dickson, competed in five races at four tracks during a nine-day span. The action was highlighted by Scelzi’s trip to Victory Lane in the Presidents Cup on Jan. 16 at Avalon Raceway in Lara, Victoria.

Scelzi set quick time during qualifying and advanced from 10th to sixth place in the first round of heats before winning his second heat race from the pole. He lined up on the outside of the front row for the A Main and took advantage.

“It was a really narrow race track,” he said. “I was running the top and James McFadden was on the bottom. He took the lead early and got away from me in traffic before we had a yellow with 13 laps to go. I rode off his right rear for a few laps and then cleared him with about 10 to go.

“The best drivers in Australia were there with McFadden, Kerry Madsen, Jamie Veal and others. It was cool to roll into a track where I’d never been before and win. It’s rare to have a night that goes that well, especially your first time at a track.”

The win came on the heels of a solid finish during his first race, which was Jan. 12 at Heytesbury Stockfeeds Simpson Speedway in Bungador, Victoria, during the Allstars Challenge. Scelzi timed in 26th quickest, advanced from ninth to third place in the first heat race and he won the second heat race. He then powered from ninth to second in the main event. Unfortunately, the team was disqualified for not going to the scales.

Following the win four days later Scelzi began the second half of his trip on Jan. 17 during the Kings Challenge at Borderline Speedway in Mount Gambier, South Australia. He qualified third quickest and finished third in a pair of heat races to line up on the inside of the third row for the main event. However, Mother Nature intervened and the race was rained out.

The trip concluded last weekend at the 47th annual Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, which was hosted by Premier Speedway. Scelzi timed in sixth quickest during his preliminary night on Saturday. A runner-up result in the first heat race was nulled for an issue at the scales. Scelzi rebounded by charging from 10th to win his second heat race before a fourth-place run in the B Main garnered a transfer into the back of the main event. He capped the night by rallying from 24th to an eighth-place finish.

“The biggest thing I noticed about the trip was how much support I got from the fans,” he said. “The night I ran eighth – nobody really cares in the U.S. when you finish eighth – I had people lined up after the races. People wanted to take pictures at restaurants. The support was unbelievable. It was great to have that much support behind us.”

The event wrapped up on Sunday with Scelzi being caught up in a crash while he was leading the C Main when another competitor spun in front of him. He restarted from the back of the field and ended ninth.

“I want to thank Domain Ramsey, Bernie Stuebgen and Dave Dickson as well as everyone who helped,” he said. “It was a memorable trip and I’m grateful for the experience.”