Motor Racing
6 February, 2026
Baker eyes eighth state title
Blue Ribbon Raceway will host the Limited Sportsman Victorian Title this Saturday, with 12 drivers competing to be the best in the class for the state.
Blue Ribbon Raceway will host the Limited Sportsman Victorian Title this Saturday, with 12 drivers competing to be the best in the class for the state.
Horsham's Jock Baker aims to secure his eighth State Title, having already bagged five in Victoria and two in South Australia.
Baker, who has been racing in the class for around 30 years, said he became hooked on racing after both of his brothers competed previously.
"They were both State Title holders, and I grew up in speedway loving it," Baker said.
"So it was natural I got into it, and I've been loving it ever since."
Despite already having held the Title trophy aloft many times, Baker said it isn't hard to stay motivated.
"It's just the thrill of racing these cars," he explained.
"There's a skill in getting them sideways at the right time and keeping them straight at the right time.
"And it's a friendly, good class where everyone looks out for each other.
"If there's a bit of a bingle after the race, everyone gets in there and helps each other."
Baker said the class is in a rebuilding stage, with COVID hurting car numbers on track.
"There are a lot of cars not moving, parked in sheds," he admitted.
"So we are trying to get those cars out on track and get our numbers back going."
But this Saturday, Baker is focused on adding another Title to his collection.
"It's always good to have a big, nice trophy sitting on the wall to show you have won a Title," he admitted.
While much attention will be on the Victorian Title, Super Sedans will also provide exciting, close racing.
A massive 35 nominations have been received for the next round of the ESSS Sports Sedan Series, with plenty of talent going head to head to earn their place to fight it out for that final chequered flag.
Four rounds into the series, with events held at Alexandra, Nyora, Wahgunyah and Wangaratta, three drivers have won the final.
Harry Cecil was too good in the opening two rounds, while Damien Miller and Dave Donegan claimed the chequered flag in the most recent rounds.
It's no surprise that Cecil will be a driver to watch on Saturday, while other pilots expected to be in contention for the feature win include: Bree Simpson, Dale Smith, Danny Cox, Jay Nicolaisen, Josh Service, Tommy McDonald and Zac Swanson.
Open Juniors, Open Ladies, and Open Sedans will also compete on Saturday, along with an Open Mechanics Race.
For those needing a bigger fix of speedway, drivers will, as a prelude, be involved in a greet-and-meet at 2 Dimboola Road, Horsham, from 9-11.30am on Saturday.
Fans can meet drivers, collect autographs, and take photos.
Gates for racing on Saturday open at 5pm, with racing from 6pm.
