Mark Chapman’s campaign at round two of the ADRC Top Doorslammer Championship came to a premature end at Alice Springs Inland Dragway earlier this month, but he is already hard at work to ensure he is ready to make his comeback at the earliest opportunity.
In Alice Springs, Chapman made heavy contact with the wall in the first round of racing. The West Aussie was completely uninjured, however was unable to make any further appearance at the event due to the damage caused to his Ausmain/Penrite Plymouth Fury Top Doorslammer.
“Because of the weather, we had a shortened program, so we were trying a little harder, and we encountered severe tyre shake and the car just chattered its way over to the wall,” Chapman explained.
“I side-swiped the wall, squashed the exhaust pipe completely closed, scraped the paint up the door, on the quarter-panel and the bonnet, and bent the inner wheel arch and the wheel tub.
“I could hear the rub of the quarter-panel rubbing on the tyre after I turned the engine off, but once I released the fastener clips, we could tow back. All in all, it wasn’t as badly damaged as we expected with how it looked and felt, but with the exhaust pipes basically left as scrap metal we weren’t able to continue.
“Before that happened, our first run had been not too bad although it got a little skatey at the top, so I had rolled off before the finish line.
“We were really enjoying racing at Alice Springs and while things didn’t go the way we wanted, it was still a good event. I really like racing there and so do my crew, and if they ever finish the ‘Outback Way’ road that would cut down our trip considerably, we will be heading there much more often.”
Chapman and his crew sprung quickly into action upon their return to their WA base, immediately starting work on the car to have it ready for its next outing – which was scheduled for October 1-2 at Heathcote Park Raceway.
With that event now postponed to a to be advised date, the next round of the ADRC title is set to be held at the Perth Motorplex’s Goldenstates across November 11-12.
“When we got back, we got straight to work stripping the car and getting ready to send it all to the paint shop – we were wasting no time as we wanted to be ready to go for the next event,” Chapman said.
“While the Heathcote event is now going to be rescheduled, we will keep pushing to have the car fixed up as soon as possible regardless, as we want to be ready to go as soon as possible.
“The next confirmed dates are at the Perth Motorplex in November, so that will be a home event for us and somewhere we feel especially strong.
“We are really enjoying the new ADRC season so far and to be running alongside the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship.
“We are definitely looking forward to getting right back into it at the next opportunity,” Chapman concluded, while thanking Ausmain, Penrite Oil, and all of his crew for their support.
For more information about the Australian Drag Racing Championship, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au
