Manjimup’s Drew Ogle will battle 50 drivers to take home third State Title at Manjimup Speedway on Saturday

A Manjimup Speedway gun is going full-steam-ahead for the upcoming State Title in Manjimup this weekend despite a crash on New Year’s Eve that left him with an entire vehicle rebuild on his hands.

In just over three weeks, Drew Ogle and his team have managed to produce a very competitive vehicle to race in the highly anticipated 2022/23 SSA Production Sedan WA State Title after a racing incident at the NYE Wingless Sprints State Title in Manjimup left him with serious concerns the vehicle might not be ready in time.

The 26-year-old — who is going for his third State Title win — said more than 120 hours of work had been put into rebuilding the car that won him his second State Title two years ago.

“Obviously I had quite a bent car so we had to strip everything right back,” he said.

“Luckily, having the old boy here and having the equipment around that we can do it is a big thing and on quick notice as well.

“Realistically, we’ve probably got another 20 hours left.

“We know we’re good, it’s just because we want some things done in a particular way . . . the point we’re at now isn’t just getting it on the track, it’s getting it on the track and being competitive.”

Ogle said he was not dwelling on the incident that cost him the New Year’s Eve race and he was ready to take on the other 50 racers on his home track.

“At the end of the day it has happened, just gotta stay positive and more forward,” he said.

“I’m feeling very positive — more positive than the last couple of titles we’ve been to in this car.”

Ogle said he was aiming for the top six going into the final event to avoid the mid-pack rush during the first few laps, which he was confident he would be able to achieve given his knowledge of the track.

“I’ve had a pretty reasonable track record in the last few years in terms of placing, hopefully I can keep that going,” he said.

“Hopefully (I’ll) start up in the top 10 or at least realistically I would like the top-six starting position.

“I do know the track quite well and the characteristics of the track haven’t vastly changed over the last 12 years.

“There has been changes with surfaces and stuff like that but the basic structure of the track has not really changed . . . and we’ve been able to trace the track and what the track is telling us it wants with our car.”

Ogle — who is looking forward to racing in front of a local crowd — said he was grateful for everyone who had helped him get to this point, including his partner Jess Hall for her constant support, his dad Mick Ogle and Grant Campbell for their help rebuilding the car, and his mum Erin Ogle.