The new Australian Top Doorslammer Championship is merely one event old, but already expectations have been flipped as title holders struggle in the face of new challengers to the crown.
The opening round of the series in Darwin, Nitro Up North, saw Kelvin Lyle pick up the victory against local hero Matt Abel, as reigning champion Daniel Gregorini and veteran John Zappia both struggled to make their presence felt.
With the second round of the series coming up this Thursday and Friday at Alice Springs Inland Dragway as part of the Red CentreNATS, fans will soon know if Lyle and Abel can extend their lead, or if Zappia can close the gap. With Gregorini to miss the event, and Western Australia’s Mark Chapman joining in for the first time in this new era, it’s going to be anybody’s race.
“Obviously it is good to be out in front of Zap, but he was probably the most unlucky person out there at Darwin,” Abel said. “He had red lights, mechanical problems and all sorts, but that’s drag racing. Anytime you beat John you are having a good day.”
Abel’s ’57 Chevy Top Doorslammer has been in service for over a decade now, but with 3000 horsepower to keep under control the car has been constantly updated between seasons.
“We spent some time upgrading the rear end of the chassis and we now have a car that is stronger, but also heavier. We have a new car coming, which will be ready for next season. So this season it’s about getting our current car from A to B.”
That’s a race strategy that will come in handy for Alice Springs Inland Dragway, where the track surface requires a cautious approach to tuning.
“We’ve run a number of five-second runs at Alice Springs, and I think the trick is to be gentle. You need to keep wheel speed on the tyre. Being in the middle of the desert, dust is the main enemy of the track, but hopefully the weather cooperates.”
The Top Doorslammers will be on show alongside the teams of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship as part of the Red CentreNATS — one of Australia’s biggest car shows. That means the stage will be brighter than ever for Abel as he seeks to take over the points lead from Lyle.
“There are thousands of people coming into the town, you can’t book a hotel room anywhere right now. It’s going to be a huge crowd for what will be the biggest drag racing event Alice Springs has ever seen.
“For us, we will focus on just getting down the track as best we can. I know Zap has probably spent the last two months practicing his reaction times and planning his revenge. It’s good to have a jump on him but we know he’ll be back.”
And if Zappia does manage to find form again, it will be perfect timing to coincide with the return of the Crow Cams Top Qualifier Award, which will put $1000 into the pocket of the quickest racer in qualifying at Alice Springs, and every following round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship. For over 30 years, Crow Cams have maintained the most advanced cam development and CNC grinding facilities in Australia, which have been used by car companies and some of the country’s most successful drag racers to great effect.
The Red CentreNATS featuring the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship and the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship kicks off with qualifying from 5pm on Thursday, with racing from 3.30pm on Friday. Tickets and more information are available at redcentrenats.com.au.
