Supercharged Eliminator
Supercharged Eliminator suffered some carnage through qualifying, like John Mol’s Commodore as something lets go underneath.
Craig Russo was also having some drama in the Funnycar unable to crack the 7 second zone all weekend.
Jason Cunliffe debuted a slick new Funnycar, but could not make it past round one losing to Shane Baxter.
Mike Trahar was solidly into the sevens with the old doorslammer as he continues to come to grips with a blown motor.
Cameron Ambesi was another of the new Outlaws to debut new cars.
Likewise Jack Danaher has stepped up out of the Modified ranks to this gorgeous rail, running 6.80’s the “Strip Tease” dragster went to round two before falling to Doina Day.
Bruno Matijasevic’s beautiful HG ran to the semi finals before also being stopped by Day.
Doina Day made the event final.
Meeting Day in final was Jason Maggs, two long days in the hot sun must of made both racers sleepy, Magg’s .345 reaction was made to look brilliant against Day’s .589. The Corvette’s 6.96 (6.68 DI) was enough to run down the dragster of Day’s 7.44 ( 7.35 DI)
Top Eliminator
Top Eliminator amassed 34 entries from all walks of racing life.
Anthony Maatouk brought down their VL bullet.
Bert Willemson’s wicked 8 second van turns heads
George Hatzi had the wheels up again and again in the Charger.
Catching the wheelstanding bug also was Idris Demaj’s RX4
Last event winner Leanne Braggs couldn’t repeat going out in the quarter finals.
Ray Gould was back out with a new look in the altered.
The iconic COME Racing Torana was out but problems ended their event early
Ron Hutchins Corvette would not launch straight, smacking the wall on one attempt.
Wayne Cartledge fired a menacing warning to the rest of Group 2 with 6.97 B/DA pass, if legal it would be the first six for the class albeit unofficial.
Jason Cavallaro scored a semi final position in their small block altered, outstanding performance considering the lack of racing against some season veterans in the class.
The final featured two Group 2 racers who haven’t forgotten how to bracket race in Craig Geddes and Nino Cavallo
It was Cavallo deciding this one at the lights with a superior 0.65 RT to Geddes .166 RT. Despite running a near perfect 7.711 (7.71 DI) Geddes altered could not make up the difference on the Dodge’s 8.071 (8.02 DI)
Super Eliminator
Super Eliminator had the largest bracket of the event with 37 entries.
There was loads of wheels up action for the fans
How cool is it to see a Ford Bronco hiking the wheels.
Ditto Grant Murray’s nostalgic Vauxhall Viva
Daryl Hepworth’s slick HG was one of the more consistent performers reaching the semi final.
Pat Caruso’s immaculate LJ Torana ran 9.932 (9.80 DI) in the final
However a 9.332 (9.20 DI) from Jason Hoctor’s high flying Cortina edged out the win courtesy of a better reaction.
Street Eliminator
Dino Cerere and Venice were part of a small South Aussie invasion at the event.
There was no name for this driver but it was one cool Camaro
Tony Barbara ended his chance of winning with fraction to quick -.003 red light in the final
That left Andrew Voodz to motor on down in his LJ Torana for the win.
Nostalgia
The Nostalgia bracket really blossomed over the first event with 30 entries.
It was packed full of some very cool rides
How sweet is this launch from Ian Hick’s 10 second A Model?
The bracket isn’t just for sedans and rods, Joe Cusmano’s little blown altered went to the semi finals where he pulled a unfortunate -.001 cherry.
Zoran Makarovski returned with wheelie bars after a near vertical wheelstand at the last event.
This writers personal favourite ride of the event, Nick Prapas’ stunning Nova broke out in the final 9.781 (9.80 DI)
The break out meant Elvis Barbieri claimed the money with a 9.613 (9.55 DI)
Modified Bike
There was a much larger 14 bike field this time around compared to last time.
Graeme Morell with a old school Top Bike
One time Top Bike rider Shane Walker was out on a Destroyer losing in the semi final to Corey Buttigieg
Buttigieg on his Destoyer would move on to meet Adam Huntley in the final
Huntley clean swept the event, top qualifying with a 8.93 and taking the event win on a holeshot 9.03 (8.90 DI) to Buttigieg’s slower reacting 9.89(9.80 DI)
There was plenty of exhibition features happening, with Lukey Luke’s stunt bike, Peter and Debbie Gray burnout show and several jet powered vehicles.
Next round of the Slamfest series will be from South Coast Raceway in Portland, Victoria.
Discuss the Calder Park True Blue Championship event here on the forum
http://dragnews.com.au/index.php?option=com_agora&task=topic&id=163&Itemid=54
Photos by Cacklingpipes.com (Grant Stephens & Paul Drady)
