WA drag racing looks set to resume uninterrupted from September with Perth Motorplex under government management for the time being. The calendar for 2016/17 has been released as follows:   National Opens Saturday 22 October 2016 (Drag Racing Track Championship)Saturday 19 November 2016 (Drag Racing Track Championship)Saturday 3 December 2016: Nitro SlamMonday 26 December 2016: Night of Fire (Boxing Day)Saturday 7 January 2017: Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car3-4 Saturday 2017: Goldenstates (Professional and Sportsman National Championship Drag Racing)4-5 March 2017: 46th Westernationals (Professional and Sportsman National Championship Drag Racing)25 March 2017 (Perth Motorplex Track Championship)8 April 2017: Drag Racing Grand Final   FAST Racing Series The ever-popular sportsman drag racing and speedway events begin on Saturday 8 October 2016 with the six-round season schedule. Round 1: Saturday 8 October 2016Round 2: Saturday 29 October 2016Round 3: Friday 25 November 2016Round 4: Friday 16 December 2016Round 5: Friday 17 February 2017Round 6: Saturday 22 April 2017 Drag Racing Minor Events Holden vs Ford ‘Take 2 of the 2016 event’ will kick start the quarter-mile events on Sunday 2 October 2016. Similarly on Sunday 23 October, the second shot at The 2016 Nostalgias. Both aforementioned events will commence their 2017 events later on in the season with The Nostalgias on Sunday 9 April 2017 and Holden vs Ford in its traditional Anzac Day position. Sunday 2 October: Kwinana Performance Holden vs Ford (2016)Sunday 23 October 2016: The Cruzin’ Nostalgias (2016)Sunday 9 April 2017: The Cruzin’ NostalgiasTuesday 25 April 2017: Kwinana Performance Holden vs Ford (Anzac Day)   Drag Racing Test Days Saturday 8 October 2016: 10am – 3pm (FAST Series to follow)Saturday 29 October 2016: 10am – 3pm (FAST Series to follow)Wednesday 1 February 2017: 10am – 4pmWednesday 1 March 2017: 10am – 4pm {fcomment}

Fourteen year old Darwin resident Brooke Harris is hoping the home track advantage will quieten the nerves and provide her an edge when it comes to taking on her fellow Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster competitors at next weekend’s Nitro Up North event. The event, to be held at Hidden Valley Raceway across July 8 and 9, includes the first round of the 2016 national Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Drag Racing Series, and will host racers from all across the country. According to the year nine Taminmin College student, the fact she would end up in racing was something of an inevitability. “My family and friends got me interested in drag racing and cars – my parents have owned a mechanic shop for 20 years in Darwin, so I think horsepower is in my blood,” Harris explained. “I love the adrenalin you get when you go down the track. My friends from school think it is cool and different, and really like that I do it. “I think there should be more girls like me in drag racing, because we are just as good as the boys. For me, the only lowlight is when I am not racing! “My biggest highlight so far has been winning the Junior Dragster bracket in 2015 and also taking out the Track Champion of Champions title the same year – which was my first year of racing.” For Harris, her ultimate goal is one which should make those who introduced her to the sport nervous. “My ultimate racing goal is to race one of my parents one day!” laughed Harris, who despite her urge to beat them on the track thanks her parents as well as her pit crew and her local sponsors for their support. As a local, the Hidden Valley Raceway is a home away from Home for the Harris. “Hidden Valley is a really good track, I have grown up around it and seen it change so much. It is run by a great bunch of people,” she said. “I am pretty excited to be racing in such a big field next weekend and against people from all around Australia. “I like to think I will have a home track advantage, because I feel that I won’t be as nervous as I would be racing away from home. “In the end, I just want to have fun and hopefully take a win.” {fcomment}

A Junior Dragster pilot with a message is on his way to Darwin to compete at Nitro Up North, with a media savvy and fan friendliness better than many of his older peers. Victorian Daniel Carranza, 10, has taken to drag racing like few others, going from a hardcore fan of his hero Peter Kapiris in Top Doorslammer to a winning racer himself – taking out the Divisional Championship for his State. It’s down to his passion for the sport and his drive for sure, but perhaps even some personality traits that may suit a sport requiring meticulous attention to detail. Carranza has autism, but that has not prevented him from success. In fact, part of the team’s journey to race around the country involves raising awareness about autism. Since an appearance on Channel 10’s The Project, Carranza has become the closest thing to a household name in the Junior Dragster category. “So many teams of people have supported and helped us travel Australia wide to raise awareness for autistic kids,” he said. “Our ride has been amazing so far.” As well as getting to indulge in his favourite hobby, Carranza has been able to interact with folks from around the country who love hearing his story. “I am fortunate to have met so many amazing people both on and off the the track, not only in Australia but overseas as well,” he said. “They have even asked us to travel over to their countries and make an appearance at their local tracks. They believe that we are so inspiring to their kids and community with what we have achieved. If all our stars line up and get some sponsor support we are looking at maybe travelling to one of these tracks to make an appearance and meet some of our fans overseas.” Carranza, also known as the ‘BatDan’, has never raced in Darwin before, but his race car has hitched a ride with the Lamattina Top Fuel Racing team to make his first appearance. “I am very excited and looking forward to travelling and racing in Darwin,” he said. “It will be my first time racing there and the only track that I haven’t raced in the country. “Hopefully we get a little time to go and see the Northern Territory sights between racing rounds in Darwin and Alice Springs. I also have a radio interview with ABC to try and fit in between to promote junior drag racing. Hopefully we can get more kids into the sport.” Travelling is all part of the experience, but a win is what Carranza would love to earn while he is in the Top End. In pursuit of that goal he has a new car ready to go. “The new car is a B/JD that runs 8.50 seconds on the eighth mile (201 metres) rather than 12.50 seconds that I used to ran as a C/JD. It’s so much quicker and more of a rush. I have run my new car once already in the Adelaide finals but now we are coming out with a fresh new engine combo for the new season. “I’m hoping to get through a few rounds in Darwin, though it would be great to take a trophy home. Most of all I look forward to meeting all my fans in Darwin that I haven’t met before and who always write nice things to me on my Facebook page. “Thanks to my sponsors LMR, KCTools and Penrite Oils, they have supplied me with lots of things to give away to all those fans I have up there and we must mention the Lamattina family, Masters Home Improvements, ProSealed, Repco South Morang, Bridgestone Select South Morang, Honda Power Equipment together with Keilor Mower Services, Costanzo Motors, Simpson Race Gear and WURTH Australia. “I have to especially thank my Mum and Dad for helping me with my racing cause if it wasn’t for all their hard work I wouldn’t even be here.” {fcomment}