This weekend’s Nitro Slam event at the Perth Motorplex will deliver one huge night of nitro-fuelled action, with the Aussies taking on US Nitro Funny Car star Tommy Johnson Jnr in the latest round of the WA Nitro Max championship this Saturday (March 23).
Joining six impressive nitro-fuelled Funny Cars, Altereds, Front Engined Dragsters and Rear Engined dragsters on-track will be Top Doorslammers, Nitro Bikes and a full complement of sportsman racers, making for a non-stop evening of drag racing action.
Amongst the Nitro Max line-up will be Melbourne’s Tim Stewart who will travel across the country to field his new ‘In a Frenzy’ Oldsmobile Firenza and continue his defence of his 2023 Nitro Max title.
Stewart will be joined on-track by not only visiting star Johnson Jnr (Trans Am Chrysler), but also local heroes Andrew Katavatis (69 Camaro), James Kemp (JPP Altered), George Separaovich (Rooman Dragster) and Shannon Taylor (Ford T-Bucket).
“We couldn’t be more excited to be going up against such a legendary nitro funny car driver like Tommy Johnson Jnr,” Stewart said.
“It just goes to show how the WA Nitro Max series is growing from strength to strength, attracting more and more competitors, including international stars.
“We only recently debuted this new car in the WA Nitro Max series and with a new sponsor on board in AllSoluzions Australia, we are more than ready to test ourselves and our emerging team against the highly experienced line-up entered for this event.”
Stewart’s current car is the result of a three year build effort concentrated specifically on nitro racing.
“It has been great to see the Perth Motorplex supporting and developing this exciting series, the brainchild of Rory Taylor and Ray Treasure – it is such a crowd pleaser and amazing from the racer’s point of view too,” Stewart said.
“After having a conversation with Rory about the series I commenced a three year journey to build ‘In a Frenzy’ with the specific goal of competing in this class of racing, and it has been a massive journey to date.
“While we were undertaking the build, we also raced a season in one of Rory’s Nitro Funny Cars, ‘Thumper,’ and had a very successful year, taking out the 2023 WA Nitro Max title.
“While that was a lot of fun, it is a fantastic feeling to be on the track with the new car – it is a Grant Downing Paralax big show chassis, powered by a 500 ci TFX Hemi, and we have big plans in mind for it.
“Of course, building a car is one thing, putting together a team is another, and with the help of my long-time friend Dave Thornton, we have pulled together a team with a great mix of experienced veterans and beginners.
“Making up our team is my wife and rock, Sue Stewart, my son Brent Stewart, Pat DeGilo – a longtime crew member on my Supercharged Outlaws car, ‘The Stang,’ and fabricator and all-round nice guy Curt Ford, Brett Niddrie (otherwise known as Mr BNR Engines). We also have my friend and fellow competitor Wayne Talbot, and Rodney Sparrow and Lawrence Jones – both from Mildura with plenty of Top Fuel crewing experience under their belts.
“I am so thankful to all of them for their support. Thank you also to Rory Taylor for all of his guidance, support and knowledge, to Jeya and the team from All Soluzions, Luke Quick from Performance Auto Electrical, Curt Ford of Curts Performance Fabrications, Matt Czerny of Vinyl Graphics and Wayne Talbot for that ridiculous night where we both agreed to build one of these things!
“Here’s hoping we can bring home a win this weekend at Nitro Slam!”
Nitro Slam featuring the latest round of the WA Nitro Max Championship as well as Top Doorslammers, Nitro Bikes and sportsman racing will be held at the Perth Motorplex on Saturday March 23. For event information, visit www.motorplex.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
Image thanks to High Octane Photos
