Mick Aquilina’s legacy on the track will continue at this weekend’s 50th annual Westernationals, with Trajan Trajkovski to pilot his beloved ‘THE TUNNA’ HJ 1 Tonner in the Super Sedan class.
Aquilina – a well-respected and well-known racer at the Perth Motorplex – passed away in September of 2020.
Now the 19-year-old Trajkovski is seeking to race in his memory after Aquilina left THE TUNNA to him and his father.
“Mick was a very good family friend. My father Albert Trajkovski and I helped prepare and race the car for many years and I have been around the car since I was born. We were all devastate when he passed away in September,” Trajkovski explains.
“By leaving his beloved THE TUNNA drag car to my father and I, he has entrusted us to continue racing it and to ‘keep it in the family.’
“It is an honour for us to do so and we hope that we can do Mick proud well into the future while continuing his racing team and number – Care Factor Zero 1947.”
Trajkovski works with his father as a mechanic at AST Mechanical and has been racing for just over a year.
“I got into drag racing thanks to my dad and to Mick,” he said while thanking AST Mechanical, All Fast Torque Converters, Reece at Rods Out, CMP and of course, Mick Aquilina and his father for all of their support.
“Ahead of the Westernationals the car is now running a 540 big block Chevy on 98 Octane with no trans brake.
“The Westernationals is a really good event and good fun, and it is always great to see everyone out there making an effort and getting out there after all the problems with COVID-19.
“Hopefully we can do a great job out there this weekend for Mick.”
The 50th Annual Westernationals will take place this Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28, at the Perth Motorplex. The event features a round of the national Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, as well as the Direct Mining & Industrial Summer Slam Series, the WA Nitro Bike Series, and Nitro Funny Car exhibition runs.
Qualifying begins from 11am Saturday and 11.30am Sunday, with the main show commencing from 5.30pm each night. For more information, visit www.motorplex.com.au.
