Dave Todd will head to South Coast Raceway’s South Coast 660 – round six of the 18/19 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series – this weekend buoyed by recent victory at the Portland (Victoria) venue.

Kelly Bettes said she feels lucky to be alive after a scary moment a couple of days after the New Years Thunder Top Fuel event at Willowbank Raceway. Bettes, pilot for Lamattina Top Fuel Racing, was driving with partner Blaze Hansen in their Ford Territory when a car crossed straight in front of them to turn, but fortunately escaped major injury in the head on crash. “Blaze and were I driving along a two lane road at 100kph when a car in the oncoming lane decided to turn across our lane into his driveway,” Bettes explained. “I can not believe the stupidity and judgement of the other driver. We were so close that in hard braking we would have been lucky to slow to 85-90kph before we hit.  “It was a frightening moment knowing there’s nothing you can do. Both Blaze and I are bruised and sore, a couple of grazes but otherwise all okay. My car did its job to keep us alive and I cannot express how impressed I was with the airbag/safety system in the Territory. The ambulance officers said that they can’t believe we walked away.” With the next round of the 400 Thunder Top Fuel Championship coming up in less than 10 days, Bettes is hopeful the soreness will wear off and allow her to give it her all as she pursues a second title. “I will still be racing at Summer Thunder next weekend. I’m sure it will be a little more difficult then normal, but the people that know me, know I’ll still give it everything I have got!”

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From the headlines, it might have looked like another Tremayne whitewash at New Years Thunder, but behind the scenes it was a tough night for the Queensland Pro Stock outfit.

Pro Bike saw a first time victor at New Years Thunder with Western Australia’s Ryan Learmonth taking his first 400 Thunder event over Daniel Rabnott.

It didn’t take long for two of Australia’s foremost drag racers on methanol to return to the top of their respective categories this 400 Thunder season.

Queensland’s Kelly Bettes lived up to her championship-winning reputation at New Years Thunder at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday night, recovering from a first round mistake to take out the final round from America’s Ashley Sanford.