30 January 2012    

Darren Morgan’s defence of the ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel Championship is back on track after a runner up performance in the third round at the Perth Motorplex.

Aside from the 50% bonus points that all competitors received for traveling to the Western capital, Morgan received additional points for the quickest time established during the course of the meeting and the quickest speed - both set in Friday night’s qualifier with his 4.749 second run at a speed of 504.659 kilometres per hour (313.58mph).

The top qualification gave the Mildura Missile a bye run for the first round before coming up against last round winner, Damien Harris. Despite the team being forced to fix a broken fuel pump lever as Morgan approached the staging lanes, he was able to get around Harris in a phenomenal drag race - recording a 4.84 second pass to Harris’ 4.85.

This set the Mildura TAFE teacher on a collision course with relative newcomer to Top Fuel, Mark Sheehan.

The team discovered an issue with the ignition when warming up the AEG Powertools ‘Agent Orange’ machine, which forced them into a situation whereby they didn’t run a retardation box for the Final.

This small issue proved to be decisive in the overall scheme of the Final - Sheehan had no such trouble and took the win with a 4.95 second pass to Morgan’s 5.05.

Track conditions over the weekend were difficult for the team to get a handle on - given the temperature hovered around 40 degrees Celsius. This forced track staff to take the unprecedented step of actually ‘watering’ the track before qualifying on Friday in an effort to produce conditions conducive to quick times for the 8000 horsepower Top Fuel dragsters.

Overall though, Morgan reports the progress made with the car across the weekend has been outstanding.

It sets the team up well for it’s next outing - the Fuchs APSA Shootout at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne on February 18. The historic return to Calder takes on additional significance with the announcement of the ANDRA Pro Series round to be conducted in Adelaide in March, as both events will be run over the 300 metre (1000 foot) distance.

The team will also be performing startups at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in March across the weekend of March 1-4.

Fans are reminded that Darren Morgan Racing’s new website is now operational at www.darrenmorgan.com.au.

ANDRA PRO SERIES POINTS - AFTER ROUND THREE:
1. Damien Harris - 312.5
2. Andrew Cowin - 298.5
3. Darren Morgan - 278
4. Phil Lamattina - 243.5
5. Mark Sheehan - 149

FROM THE MISSILE’S CHAMBER:
“We’re incredibly happy to be back in top form, but at the same time disappointed that we didn’t get the final round win,” said Morgan.

“We certainly had the car to get the job done in Perth, but a small problem with the ignition proved to be enough for Mark (Sheehan) to drive around us and win.

“Overall though, the car was faultless and we’ve made even further progress from the last round with it.

“Getting to the final round with the bonus points from the fastest ET (elapsed time) and fastest speed really means a lot for the Championship. We’re third and in striking distance now.

“It will be great to get back to Calder Park. It takes on extra meaning for us with the ANDRA Pro Series round to be held in Adelaide at the end of March as both will be across the shorter distance.

“Whilst the distance makes no real difference to the way in which we set the car up, getting used to tracks that are not one of the ‘big three’ that we have data on is where the difference is. Calder and Adelaide are very similar, so it will be good to lay some laps down in front of a big crowd!”

 

Competition drag racing at Hidden Valley is set to take another leap in 2012 with a new Top Alcohol Funny Car being purchased by Territory based Top Doorslammer competitor,Scott MacLean.

The 2007 built Ford Mustang was purchased from Adam Croker who imported the car from America where it had run a previous best time of 5.60 seconds at 261mph (418km/hr). MacLean plans to use a 521ci (8.5L) BAE Hemi V8 and the same drive line as his Studebaker Top Doorslammer.

"Top Doorslammer racing will always have the higher priority but we wanted to expand" said MacLean.

"When the opportunity came up to buy Adam's Mustang we decided it was the perfect addition to the S&M Racing team. We're still unsure if it was a moment of madness or a wise move but we'll soon see."

MacLean hopes to run both his Studebaker Top Doorslammerand the new Top Alcohol Funny Car at Hidden Valley during 2012.

"We will concentrate mainly on the Studebaker with some testing schedules being planned for the near future. We are very keen to achieve our first five second pass, it's all there right in front of us with the data, but getting it all right is the tricky part. Once we have the ability to run fast there is no reason our car won't be competitive, as most cars are similar component wise. It would be a great achievement to duck into the fives at home, and maybe keep our track record in the Territory" explained MacLean.

"At the same time we're also looking to get used tothe new car and hopefully find some consistency throughout the year."

The track record for Top Doorslammer at Hidden Valley was set in May 2011 by John Zappia with a 5.909 second pass at238.17mph. The Hidden Valley drag racing season starts inApril.

Australian Nostalgia Fuel Association.

 

The Australian Nostalgia Fuel Association (ANFA) is proud toannounce their first Annual Pioneer Awards to be held in conjunction with the Rocket Open Day and the Rocket Retro Drags and Nitro Fest at Sydney Dragway on19^th-20^th November 2011.

These awards recognise thecontribution made by these recipients to the sport of drag racing over manyyears.

It is with pleasure ANFAacknowledge the contribution these individuals have made to drag racing.

The recipients are;

Eddie Thomas

Bob Dunn

Cowin & Johns

Peter Keegan

Brian Keegan

David Cook

 

These esteemed racers will be at the Rocket Open Day mingling withall the fans of the sport and then will be formally presented with their awardsat Sydney Dragway that night during a Meet ‘nGreet and BBQ put on by the ANFA. Nostalgia movies and music will also be in abundance.

 

So if you have admired these great racers from afar get along tothe Rocket Open Day and the Rocket Retro Drags and Nitro Fest on the 19^thand 20^th of November......and bring your photos, magazines orpersonal gear you may want signed.

 

Fuchs South Coast Raceway

The South Coast Drag Racing Association is proud to announce a new sponsorship deal with FUCHS Lubricants (Australasia) Pty Ltd. The new partnership will see Fuchs as the new naming rights sponsor for the South Coast Raceway in Portland, VIC. Part of the partnership arrangement it will see the track renamed for the 2011/2012 season to "Fuchs South Coast Raceway".

President of the South Coast Drag Racing Assoc. Doug Hetherington says "This is a fantastic opportunity for the SCDRA and shows just how much Fuchs South Coast Raceway has come in just 5 years since opening back in February 2006. We are proud to have a great brand name such as Fuchs Lubricants come along and take on naming rights of what we believe is the best 1/8

th Mile drag track in Australia for the next season. It will be great for both the track and Fuchs".

Fuchs is already a huge supporter of professional drag racing in Australia, backing major 1/4 Mile tracks such as the Sydney Dragway, which will be hosting the 2011 Fuchs Australian Nationals on Sep 09 to Sep 11 2011.

This is another significant extension of Fuchs commitment to our great sport, showing major support for grass roots drag racing and its ability to promote major brand name sponsors.

About FUCHS Lubricants (Australasia) Pty Ltd

Founded as a German family company in 1931, Fuchs today is a Group with global reach. Among the independent producers, Fuchs is the world’s largest independent manufacturer and supplier of lubricants.

With several thousand employees, operating in most worldwide markets, Fuchs’ leading position is supported by an extensive range of core program lubricants, complimented by tailor-made solutions for just about every application.

The wholly owned Australian subsidiary has been supplying specialised lubricants since the late 1890’s and is the leading market player in many lubricant sectors..

Fuchs Lubricants specialises in five main areas of lubrication:

• Automotive • Industrial • Specialist Applications including Open Gearing Lubrication • Mining • Private Label

RapidBikes, Australia’s leading magazine for performance and modified motorcycles,is proud to announce that they are naming rights sponsors of Modified Bike atSydney Dragway for the 2011/2012 drag racing season.

 

RapidBikes Modified Bike will be a part of the 2011/2012 NSW Drag RacingChampionship Series at Sydney Dragway. The first round bursts into action overtwo huge days on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of July!

 

NHRA star Cory McLenathan is a high profile last minute inclusion to the 2011 Castrol EDGE Winternationals.

27 May 2011

As far as last minute inclusions into the 44th Castrol EDGE Winternationals Top Fuel field goes – they don't come much bigger than NHRA superstar, Cory McLenathan – who will take to the wheel of a Rapisarda Racing machine for the event at Willowbank Raceway, June 10-13.

With 34 NHRA final round wins from 71 finals appearances to his credit, 'Cory Mac' is a stellar inclusion into the field.

The 47-year-old was approached with the opportunity by Australian Top Fuel stalwart Santo Rapisarda at the recent Topeka NHRA round, and it was an invitation he was quick to accept.

McLenathan finished third in the NHRA Top Fuel Championship in 2010 after winning three of his eight final round appearances and claiming top qualifier at five events. He was inexplicably released by Don Schumacher Racing at the completion of the season and thus far, has been unable to secure a full time ride for 2011.

Nevertheless, he heads to the Castrol EDGE Winternationals race-fit and ready to win – having deputised in the Dexter Tuttle-owned Top Fueller at the Topeka NHRA event May 20-22. He qualified eighth in the 16-car field, but was knocked out in the first round by Antron Brown when the Tuttle machine suffered a failure.

The Brownsburg, Indiana native last competed in Australia in 2007 at Sydney Dragway alongside racer-cum-ESPN pundit, Mike Dunn. His Top Fuel career – which began in 1991 – saw Cory Mac become the first driver in history to crack the 320mph barrier in 1997.

Willowbank Raceway holds sentimentality for the Rapisarda team – Santo's son, Louie lost his life in a testing crash 21 years ago this July – and it's the memory of Louie that drives the Rapisarda team's activities both here in the ANDRA Pro Series and the NHRA Full Throttle Series, where Rapisarda Racing competes with Terry Sainty at the helm.

McLenathan will line up in a two car Rapisarda Winternationals attack.

McLenathan's inclusion among the 8,000 horsepower, nitro-munching brigade brings a real international flavour to the Castrol EDGE Winternationals at Willowbank – and steps the pressure up on the ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel aspirants.

The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza held annually across the Queen's Birthday weekend and is expected to provide an economic injection of millions of dollars into the South East Queensland region.

Children aged 13 and under are able to gain free admission to the Raceway during the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, and students with ID are able to gain discounted entry. One-day, two-day and full-event passes are all available – for more information, to purchase tickets and for schedules, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au

Willowbank Raceway is Queensland's premier drag racing facility, hosting year-round racing including four ANDRA Pro Series rounds per year including the Castrol EDGE Winternationals. For more information, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au

The Nitro Voodoo Team have won the Nitro Champs in Sydney for the second year running.

Matheson said “the weekend was a challenging one, due to the inclement weather, with periodic rain interrupting the meeting”.

After arrival at the track on Wednesday afternoon, after driving from Brisbane with heavy rain the entire trip along the Eastern Seaboard, the Team went about preparing final adjustments in readiness for the weekend.  Heavy rain continued Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with only one qualifier on the Saturday night.     Matheson said “there was talk the meeting would be cancelled, however, fortunately we did see racing in other brackets throughout Saturday, as a result of dedicated Track officials and staff”.

Jim Read Racing have come away with a much wanted ANDRA gold Christmas Tree trophy for their efforts after winning Top Fuel at the 2011 Nitro Champs held over the April 29-May 1 weekend.  JRR Crew Chief Bruce Read said that he and Brother Phil, and the JRR team would like to dedicate the win to their Father Jim Read who was unable to attend the event.

It was another busy weekend of drag racing at Sydney Dragway, and the weekend started out with the clouds hovering, and after some showers slowed Friday qualifying, only one round of Top Fuel was run, and on the cold track, Phil Read shook the tyres and sat in third position with his 8.15 shut-off.

For those looking for something different to entertain the family during the next long weekend, Willowbank Raceway’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals could be just the ticket.

With children 13 and under gaining free admission, an alcohol-free (in general admission areas) policy, kids rides, roving entertainment, fireworks, free access to pit lane and the ANDRA Pro Series drivers and their cars, and of course plenty of on-track action, the Castrol EDGE Winternationals is four days of non-stop action over Friday June 10 to Monday June 13.

The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza and the largest drag racing event held outside of the US, taking place annually across the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said the Castrol EDGE Winternationals - the season-finale for the ANDRA Pro Series - attracts approximately 40,000 spectators each year and is an alternative entertainment solution for the whole family looking for something to do over the June long weekend.

“So far this year we have already enjoyed a number of long weekends, including the five day Easter/ANZAC long weekend,” said Bettes.

“The Castrol EDGE Winternationals will provide something different for those who are looking for some high-octane, family friendly fun over the June long weekend, with full-blown action from Friday through to the holiday Monday.

“The event is not just a racing event, it is an entertainment extravaganza with so much to see and do both on the track, in the pit lane and in the spectator areas, so there is sure to be something for every member of your family.

Daniel Gregorini, from Perth Western Australia, kept his stride at the 2011 ANDRA Western Nationals at the Kwinana Beach Motorplex March 5-6 2011. Competing in the coveted Top Doorslammer class Gregorini had his work cut out for himself and his talented Scratch and Match Motorsports team. Being the only roots powered doorslammer attempting to qualify amongst a slew of screw blown cars Gregorini stepped up to the plate and swung his bat with authority. During the first round of qualifying Daniel’s 6.05 @ 234 mph was good enough for the second spot in the stat studded field led by Aussie doorslammer kingpin John Zappia. Round two of qualifying brought an interesting twist on things as Gregorini snuffed the burnout and stuck the tire consequently heating the clutch and he wasn’t able to properly reverse the car and the team lost the run. This put added pressure on the Scratch and Match team heading into the final qualifying session. With conditions as stellar as a tuner could want the team could only muster a 6.09 @ 234 mph in the final session. Tuner Jon Salemi, owner of Resolution Racing Services in New York stated, “I just wasn’t aggressive enough. I under estimated this surface and it bit me a little. The car was unsettled through low gear but all in all was still a decent run. This race track is as well prepped as anything we have in the USA. You can bet on that”. Gregorini ended up in the 7th spot in the tough 8 car field and would face Maurice Fabietti in the first round of competition. As the burnout was completed Gregorini’s G-Force Race Cars Inc. built 68 Camaro would lose fire and sit stagnant on the track, a broken crank trigger would be the downfall of yet another strong effort put in by the Scratch and Match team. Daniel stated, “It’s been electronic gremlins in both doorslammer rounds that have bitten us. I guess that’s part of racing. You have to find all the ways to lose before you can win”. The team decided to make another test run once the trigger problem was found and subsequently improved on their personal best with a 6.03 @ 235 mph. just 1 hundredth from the roots doorslammer record in Australia. Salemi stated, “We went out to see what the tune up for first round would prove to do. I was happy that it ran a couple of #’s better. It’s just really hard to make large jumps in ET when you lose runs for silly situations and parts failure but that’s all part of it”. The Scratch and Match team will compete locally in Perth a couple more times this season before making the trek across Oz for the ANDRA meets in Sydney and Brisbane. Scratch and Match Motorsports team thanks its loyal sponsors and supporters including Scratch & Match Autocolour, Kerb Doctor, Metalux Paints, Maxus Constructions Westcoast Site Works, Vinsan Contracting, Sikpac Performance, G-Force Race Cars, Resolution Racing Services and MSR Performance.