Jim Read Racing is ready to take on the country’s quickest Top Fuel dragsters this weekend as the ANDRA Pro Series heads to Sydney. The prestigious Summernationals event will see an awesome line-up of nitro action on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February at Sydney Dragway.
After strong qualifying performances in Perth and with both cars making the finals at all three opening rounds of the new 2009/2010 ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel events, the team at JRR are looking for consistency this season, ready to tackle the challenges that Top Fuel brings head on.
Crew Chief, Bruce Read, commented at the Perth event, “We have been chasing fuel system gremlins in Phil’s dragster for some time. There seems to be something which is restricting the fuel system from working at its full capacity. We have replaced every fuel component on the car now. We had some good runs in Perth and we had our challenging runs and unexpected dramas in the pit area too. The boys did a great job to get the car out and make the rounds, especially the finals. With Sydney just around the corner, we can’t wait to get out there racing again.”
For Phil Read, he was happy to be in a final again in Perth saying after the event. “Although we finished in the runner-up position (congratulations to Theo, Phil and all the team for a good win), it still was a great weekend for all my guys on the Jim Read Racing team.
“To come out with a whole new fuel system and run the way we did on race day is a credit to you all,” Read added. “To our fans, supporters and sponsors including Auto One, Valvoline, MTU Detroit, Snap On Tools, Wynn’s, Champion Spark Plugs, thanks to Gary French and the team at Newtown Toyota for the support vehicles, and also to our newest corporate sponsor McDonalds, I would like to thank all of you for your support that enabled us to make the final round.”
On the other side of the pit is the Martin Stamatis’ Top Fuel dragster. Martin’s Crew Chief Rob Cavagnino, has also been busy making sure “The Flying Greek” gets consistently down the race track. Stamatis not only won the first Top Fuel round in Perth this season, he was also the runner-up at the Sydney season opener.
Stamatis is obviously excited about the upcoming Summernationals, “We are always looking for consistent runs out of the car and every run is different with so many variables, which is what makes racing these cars so exciting. But we are happy with where we are at right now and Rob and the team always give me a great well prepared race car, so bring on Sydney!”
For Rob Cavagnino, the team’s biggest challenge has been trying to keep the supercharger belt on, “The car is pulling down really well with minimal to no damage each pass, but we will be trying a different setup at this event aimed towards keeping those blower belts on for that extra 200 feet. We have a consistent package when the belts stay on and losing any race is hard enough especially when in front and then the belt comes off but I say bring on the weekend, we can’t wait!”
