ParcFerme.Com

A long-time favourite at Oran Park, the Supertrucks will bring their unique brand of racing to Sydney, kicking off their five-round 2008 series with backing from new naming rights sponsor Tankworld.

The series will feature at four Shannons Nationals events in 2008, with two rounds at Oran Park and two at Adelaide's Mallala Motorsport Park.

A multiple Australian truck racing champion, Tankworld CEO John Falk will not only support the series, but return to racing as part of a 16-truck field at Oran Park.

Light Truck Champion in 1998, 1999 and 2000, Falk has purchased the ex-Rodney Crick title winning GMC, after winning last year's Supertruck Co-Drivers title.

Falk will split driving duties with his teenage son Ben, who will steer the machine in the Co-Drivers races.

"I'm really looking forward to returning to Supertruck racing, and excited about Tankworld's involvement with the category," John Falk said.

"Supertrucks is a category I've always enjoyed racing in, and it always puts on a great show for spectators with plenty of close and spectacular racing.

"Ben and I will share the driving and my wife and daughter will also be on our pit crew, so we're going to have a very family-oriented environment, which is what Supertruck racing is all about."

If Falk is to take outright honours, he'll need to halt Bob Middleton's quest for four-consecutive Australian championships.

Freightliner driver Middleton predicts he'll face the fiercest competition the series has seen in recent years, with new faces such as Falk and debutant Fletcher Christian, and a number of upgraded rigs.

Second last year, Steve Zammit's Kenworth is virtually a new truck after off-season development and fourth-placed Ben Rose has a new Volvo, while young drivers such as Beau Hewat will be out to continue their climb.

"Whoever wins the championship this year will have well and truly earned it," Middleton said.

"The young guys in the series keep getting better and better, and the level of machinery in the series has taken a step up - it's going to be close all year."

Oran Park local Steve Coulter is aiming for hat-trick Light Truck class titles aboard an Isuzu, with tough competition expected from Colin DeGee and father-and-son team-mates Stan and Michael Seton.

The Tankworld Australian Supertrucks will contest six races next weekend at Oran Park, culminating in a 10-lap Superprix on Sunday afternoon.

Joining the Tankworld Australian Supertruck Nationals on the Oran Park card are the Biante Touring Car Masters, Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship, Commodore Cup and Saloon Cars.

The action kicks off at 8:50am on Saturday, with racing from 4:00pm ahead of a full day of racing on Sunday.

Tickets are great value at $15 on Saturday and $35 on Sunday, or $45 for a weekend pass.

Child (11-16 years) tickets are $10 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday, with kids 10 and under free all weekend.

For more information about the 2008 Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships, visit www.thenationals.com.au.