Sydney Dragway fired into life for the first time in 2011 with a Test and Tune for racers to blow out the New Year cobwebs.
Around 100 racers showed up last Saturday and with conditions in the low 30 degree region making it very warm on track, but with no precipitation which has dogged the East coast in past months racers will take any dry conditions they can get.
There were no major incidents on track allowing the day to run smoothly and racers gaining plenty of track time, and many commented they would like to see more of these events added alot more regularly to the calender.
The smell of nitro was in the air with Rapisarda Racing in the house with Terry Sainty behind the wheel just to familiarise himself with the car he will be driving at this weekend Pro Series event in Perth
Sainty only made the one attempt at a pass which had the car blow the tyres off at 60ft.
Competition racer Daniel Schultz started the first stage of his Top Fuel licensing procedure with a burnout and launch in the same car, we will have more news on Schultz’s plans soon on Drag News.
The nostalgic version of the breed was also on hand. Mark Mariani had the Black Widow front engine digger of Steve Turner wound a motor at half track.
David Armstrong replaced a mass of parts to solve issues they have been having, a faulty clutch was found and had high hopes for the days testing. Despite running 6.999 at 191 MPH achieving the teams first six second time card, clutch problem again ended their day.
Leonard Azzopardi also changed over a mountain of components in a endeavour eliminate gremlins that have been affecting them recently. They made several passes and despite being on the noise for a full track pass, a 7.18 @ 188 showed that the gremlin is still in the system.
The Dannolas team of Craig Allison’s C/AA and Rhiannon’s Junior Dragster were the subjects of a TV crew from the ABC’s attention all day for a upcoming TV show episode. Craig ran a best of 7.37 in C/AA trim.
A 8.88 E/Gas best from Fred Nicastri had the Gazelle solidly under the 9.07 index
Nick Panagiotlaris have just stepped up to Super Stock with hisr A/MP XF Falcon, carding a 8.77 best is under the 9.00 class index.
Johnny Criticos was all crossed up with his CC/SM R100
Steven Dimech banged out a 7.73 best from the 13B Dato
After running a great 7.87, Dean Cordowiner had the Starlet all crossed up tagging the wall at the finish line, saving the car from what could have been a much bigger incident.
There were five Supercharged Outlaws testing, Mark Shepherd had jumped behind the wheel of the family’s altered for the first time and licensed with a 7.83
Brad Willard successfully licensed the ex Longfield Corvette with a 8.27.
Geoff Gradden posted a first up 7.13 second pass, before the Saratoga had reverser issues.
Anthony Bool did have a few drama’s before punching out a 7.70
Norm McCormack skated to a 7.49 is the hot conditions.
Chris Batey has gone with very old school blown six cylinder combination complete with quad SU’s, but couldn’t get the motor singing properly during the day.
After a huge wheelstand at the previous test and tune Leon Flack was back to again try and tame the “Bush Bandits” altered. After some tentative squirelly launches, they recorded a 8.23 best.
Alf Axiack hasn’t taken the normal turbo rotary route, his RX3 is naturally aspirated and runs impressive low 10’s from the 13B.
Ali Rayan made his first public debut with the ex Keith Azzopardi Pro Charged HB Torana, Rayan is on a steep learning curve with his first drag car slowly stepping up the performance to a 8.26 PB on the day.
Another newcomer Brett Sheard debuted this sweet looking Commodore ute running a 9.07
Dallas Whyte also has just recently joined the racer ranks with the ex Fowler Pontiac
Dominic Rigoli jumped behind the wheel of Elham El Ahmed’s WRX and performed some spectacular all wheel drive launches for a 8.92 best
The list of new racers on the day continued with James Danaskos extending the family’s presence on the track with a nitrous XF Falcon
Khain Mackey has been struggling to have his turbo HR hook up, after a number of tyre smoking attempts a 8.37 clean pass was achieved later in the day
Smokey front wheel skids and 9.7 ET’s all from a litte 4cyl Honda
Wheelstand of the day went to Paul Testa’s Galant on his only pass.
Last events wheelstand star Phillip Azzopardi was back with wheelie bars but was having trouble stopping the car from unloading the rears.
The new racers also extended to the bikes with Rod Barchet straddling a Destroyer.
Matthew Kempe continued the families two wheeled tradition.
VW Beetles have been breeding it seems with four on the strip from the Stokers supercharged bug to Ben Robinson’s little primer coated wheelstander.
Koolbanis is name not seen on a entry list for some time in Sydney, Athina Koolbanis debuted in Junior Dragster.
The Saunders family added their fifth member to the racing ranks with Adam Saunders making his first time appearance in Junior Dragster.
Photos by Cackling Pipes Photography (Grant Stephens & Hayley Turns)
Check out the video action highlights courtesy of Neil Larson’s Madman Productions
