The bracket of Super Sedan might not take the limelight in the same way Funny Cars or Top Doorslammers do, but the competition is arguably the most intense of any category in West Australian drag racing right now.
The championship battle going into this weekend’s ANDRA Summit Series Grand Final is taking place not just at a national level, but also on a local one with three drivers – Mick Fenton, Neil Scott and Matt Gullotto – in contention.
Fenton said his Chevy Nova is ready to go and he has been visualising how he wants his event to play out.
“It has been a bit of a restless week with the championship on my mind,” he said. “Especially when you wake up in the early hours of the morning from just running a killer pass and it’s just a dream!”
Form is currently on Fenton’s side. He has won the last two events, in addition to winning the season opener in November.
“I hope I haven’t wasted all my good passes,” he laughed. “The car has been faultless all year, with even a new personal best time of 8.645.
“The main thing I’ll be concentrating on this weekend is the bloody tree – no reds.
“The championship means everything to me and my team – Corey, Jodie and Matilda. To make it through will be the ultimate.”
Scott is in one of his best positions yet to claim his first Super Sedan state championship, sitting in second place for the 2018/19 season and within striking distance of leader Fenton.
Scott earned three Super Street championships at the Motorplex, but in his years of competition in Super Sedan, third place has been the best he could muster.
His venerable Mazda is up to the task and Scott believes the best approach is to treat the event no differently.
“It’s business as usual for the Grand Final,” he said. “I just race my own race as always.”
Two runner up results have given Scott a leg up in the points, though a rough mid season saw him take three first round losses in a row.
“The car has been running very consistently this season apart from a gearbox failure mid season,” he said. “But my reaction times could use a tweak!
“Winning the championship would be a fantastic way to finish the season and a great way to thank my wife, crew and sponsors.”
Aiming to turn Fenton and Scott’s dreams into nightmares will be Matt Gullotto, who has turned a season of borrowing wife Steph’s Holden Commodore into a potential title.
“It has definitely been different racing the VN, especially in Super Sedan considering it is a street car,” he said.
“I had to get used to being in a slower car and adjust my driving to suit how the car reacts to the track. But racing is racing and I’m just happy to be back in the driver’s seat again.”
With a season that has already seen Gullotto achieve some goals, including a win in January, he is heading into the Grand Final with a clear mind.
“I came into the season excited to be racing again but never had any expectations of being in contention for the championship,” he said. “I try not to think about it too much and just focus on one race at a time.”
The ANDRA Summit Series Grand Finals take place this Saturday and Sunday at Perth Motorplex. For all event information visit – http://www.motorplex.com.au/andra-sportsman-grand-finals/
