Twelve teams will kick off the Top Alcohol season and a strong nineteen car field has nominated for Top Doorslammer when their national championship commences next weekend at Perth Motorplex’s Pro Showdown – with a few surprises amongst them.
As far as Top Alcohol goes, national champion Gary Phillips will be back to mount a defence, but will face a tough challenge from Craig Anderson (making his pro debut in the field’s only altered), John Cannuli, Aaron Deery, last year’s runner up Craig Glassby, record holder Steven Ham, Adam Marchant, Debbie O’Rourke, last year’s winner Rob Pilkington, Steven Reed, Brian Robinson and young gun Shane Weston.
Top Alcohol drivers have made a special effort to embrace fans with teams keen to encourage people to get up close to their vehicles at the event and chat to the drivers and crews.
Yvonne Marchant, matriarch of the Marchant Drag Racing Team, said fans wanting to see Top Alcohol drag racing at its best need to make sure they’re at the Motorplex.
“From constant tyre shake or keeping it in the grove and keeping the car running consistent to preparing the car for the next run, the teams give it their all,” she said. “ With drivers and crews showing one another the respect that comes with Top Alcohol we know that anyone of the entered field can win the round.
“Fans love the racing of heads up, pro start trees and hard, tough runs in the five second bracket plus side by side racing with not one type of drag car but three – funny cars, dragsters and altereds.”
The Top Doorslammer field for the ANDRA Drag Racing Series includes the usual suspects of John Zappia, Peter Kapiris, Victor and Ben Bray and Maurice Fabietti. Also joining in the fun for the season opener will be Mark Belleri, Stuart Bishop, John Cannuli (making his first runs in Perth since his dramatic run into the sand trap), Pat Carbone, Mark Chapman, Marty Dack, Daniel Gregorini, Wayne Keys (returning to Top Doorslammer after a decade or so since last competing there), Grant O’Rourke (expected to be in the new family Pontiac), Murray O’Connor, Russell Pavey, Pino Priolo, Andrew Sutton and Simon Travaglini who has made a recovery from surgery to his leg much earlier than expected.
The two pro categories are joined by strong fields across the local track championship categories. To see the full entry list click here.
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