Since making the step into the professional categories of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, South Australian team owner Greg Brown has been relishing the tough but fun opportunities racing in Top Alcohol presents.
Together with driver Gary Busch, Brown and the A1 Drag Racing Team have criss-crossed the country to compete at more drag strips than perhaps any other Top Alcohol team. It’s all part of a philosophy of fun for the outfit.
“We always said we would never go to Top Alcohol because of the high levels are maintenance but the boys on the team are really enjoying it,” Brown said. “Fun is the magic word, when it stops being fun we will stop racing and go fishing.”
The A1 Drag Racing Team is now heading to their home track, Adelaide International Raceway, for the third round of the ANDRA Top Alcohol championship, taking place at the Aeroflow Summer Speedfest event on February 23 and 24 alongside rounds of Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Brown said the team does not see the unique all-bitumen surface as a difficult factor.
“We don’t classify Adelaide as a tricky track, it is more of a common sense track, if you throw a lot of clutch and tune up at it you will end up sideways,” he said. “It is getting the power in at the right time and softly. It is getting better all the time and just getting more runs on it is going to be the thing.”
The last time Top Alcohol raced at Adelaide in April 2012, it was John Cannuli, who will be returning for Aeroflow Summer Speedfest, taking a win in a wild final when opponent Wayne Newby overpowered the track and hit the safety barriers.
Joining Cannuli in the trip from Queensland this time will be Steve Reed, who will race at Adelaide International Raceway for the first time in over a decade in his colourful Allstars Batteries Funny Car.
Brown is under no illusions that the pressure is tough at the top.
“They are fairly competitive up there but we want to stay in Top Alcohol,” he said. “We’re doing it on a budget and it has taken me until now to get where I am so we want to give it a good go.”
Brown will have also have a fresh look on the Pontiac Firebird body, with a new vinyl wrap going on to the car ahead of race day.
The Aeroflow Summer Speedfest at Adelaide International Raceway runs from February 23 to 24
