Kyle Putland had plenty on his plate before coming out to race at the Perth Motorplex season opener just over a fortnight ago.
The enterprising 30 year old has been behind the introduction of the Quarter Mile Experience to Western Australia – a pair of three seat dragsters taking people on extreme thrill rides.
Putland also had his own Hydraulic Technical Solutions altered to take care of and prepare for a long championship chase. The workload was added to when his first qualifying pass at the WA Drag Racing Championships went wildly wrong shortly after launch. Water got underneath the big rear tyres and Putland got into the concrete safety barriers.
After the run, the team went into the pits to diagnose the damage and found the car escaped relatively unharmed.
“The incident buckled a front wheel and wheelie bar, which were both changed out at the track on the day,” he said.
“We made a pass after that and it was turning the tyres. It felt like something wasn’t right so we decided to take it home and check it over. Everything turned out to be all fine but better safe than sorry.”
When he is racing, Putland says his primary focus is on his own trips down the track, with partner Keira able to help fans interested in finding out more about the three seat dragsters that are often on display in the pit area.
“The response to the three seaters has been really good,” he said. “With Al McClure driving the other car and his family getting involved too, it makes the whole day run smoothly. The customers absolutely love it. None of them know how to explain the experience afterwards, it’s something you have to do for yourself.”
Putland has changed his altered to an automatic transmission recently and will be targeting a national record of 7.05 in the A/AA class – with six second times the native habitat for one of Australia’s quickest naturally aspirated vehicles.
“I’d say we have a pretty good chance of going rounds at the Goldenstates,” he said. “I have a totally new combination and with only one pass on it so far we still have a lot of work to do. If we can make it through a few rounds I’d be happy.”
Putland will be competing in the Competition bracket this weekend at the 45th Annual Goldenstate Championships, one of the many divisions eligible for national points as part of the Summit Sportsman Series, which this season has three events in Western Australia.
The event will also see the Beach Bomb and Fun-da-mental Nitro Funny Cars doing battle, plus the second round of the Summer Slam Series for Top Doorslammers.
Qualifying begins from 10am, with eliminations racing from 4pm and the feature program from 5.30pm.
