On reflection of the 2009-2010 season, Lilydale Sprintcar driver Mike Van Bremen says that it is one of his best seasons with an agonisingly close second in the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series.

“It was probably one of the most enjoyable seasons I’ve had, it was good competition in the Eureka Series and we had some strong form right throughout the summer so that helps,” says Van Bremen.

In his 15th season of racing, Van Bremen was eager to tick off one of his ambitions – winning an A-Main event at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway, a venue where he does most of his racing.

On Saturday November 7, 2009 for the opening round of the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series, Van Bremen reached the goal in a stirring 30-lap final win that had the crowd on their feet.

“It was such a relief to get the win at Avalon, I remember the race and I was nervous and I was thinking about what the win would mean for me. It showed in my driving as Matthew Reed almost caught me in the last few laps.

“The crowd was fantastic, I was on the podium platform being driven around and they made plenty of noise. It’s something I look back on with a smile and it was obviously the perfect way to start the season,” said Van Bremen.

‘The Flying Dutchman’ increased his lead in the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series with a strong second placing at Mt Gambier’s Borderline Speedway, before returning to Avalon Raceway in early December to finish seventh in a result that saw him relinquish the series lead.

Success quickly returned for the MVB Racing team, when on Boxing Night back at Avalon Raceway they raced to their second win of the season at the venue. It was done in commanding style this time, with the nerves washed away from the opening round win.

“I started off the front row against Matty Reed and it was a very good race, we both battled against each other through lapped traffic. In the end it was excellent to beat him on my own merits,” said Van Bremen.

In January, Van Bremen contested two rounds of the Eureka Series, racing at regional venues in Horsham and Moama in New South Wales. In both rounds, Van Bremen grinded out two results that did not satisfy.

Slipping to third in the series, Van Bremen had a month before the next round at Hamilton’s Western Speedway where he was one of the must watch drivers in action with a fast finishing fifth place rocketing him back into second and 121 points behind the series lead.

The Victorian Championship in March doubled as an important round of the Eureka Series and Van Bremen was one of the main players after setting the fifth quickest time in qualifying. Van Bremen consolidated to finish 11th in a national class field to stay within striking distance of the series lead.

In the penultimate round of the Eureka Series at Moama’s Heartland Raceway, it was paramount Van Bremen posted a significant result to keep the series alive. That he did, putting in an impressive performance on a demanding racetrack to finish second and more importantly reduce the margin between himself and leader John Vogels to 71-points heading into the final round.

“I knew heading into the second last round that if I finished well back I wouldn’t give myself a chance of challenging for the series win, so to post that result and reduce the margin set up a great finish heading into Redline,” said Van Bremen.

On March 27 the final round of the Eureka Series was built as the John Vogels vs Mike Van Bremen dual at Ballarat’s Redline Speedway and it turned out to be a thrilling finish. Van Bremen made his move in the top six shootout where he was sixth highest qualifier to post the second fastest time to start off the front of the A-Main.

On a racy track Van Bremen dominated the A-Main to record his third win of the season, but Vogels fourth place kept Van Bremen in second position for the Eureka Series.

“Probably the couple of results mid season at Horsham and Moama may of cost me, but it’s hard to be perfect all the way through the season and we won three A-Main races so really, I can’t complain,” said Van Bremen.

Van Bremen attributes a more aggressive driving style adopted for the season and a focus on the Eureka Series to the reason for his success.

“I wanted to drive more aggressively and that paid off. My main focus was the Eureka Series and events just at Avalon such as the Sprintcar Invitational, Presidents Cup, World Series and night one of the Easter Trail. At this stage we’ll run a similar schedule next season,” Van Bremen outlined.

MVB Racing would like to thank the following sponsors for season 2009/2010:
Action Alliance
CSR Methanol
Quick Race Shocks
Harvey Body and Custom