The Nostalgia Drags Mildura at Atlantic Oils Sunset Strip has grown in reputation as one of the best events of its style in Australia, attracting an army of competitors every year.
“Best event for the racers and crews in Australia hands down,” said Vintage Gas racer Ashley Hayley. “There is nothing else like it!”
With some wet weather intervening the day’s proceeding, it didn’t dampen the spirits with the event team pushing on to still complete the event.
“The season opening Nostalgia event is always a great way to kick off our racing season. Lots of cool cars and great people, it always delivers a successful weekend,” said SDRA President David Thorton.
The event is a social experience typical of the regional venue with a pre-race BBQ and gathering with plenty of laughs on event-eve, before racing kicked off on the Saturday (Aug 18).
“We almost got through the two rounds of qualifying before we had a small shower, shortly after our track staff had the track ready to go to start racing again when we had another shower,” recalled Thorton.
“A series of delays after further showers – and even some hail – saw a massive effort by our volunteers and racers to get the track ready again to start racing. We got going and completed qualifying, and then pushed on into the evening for as long as the track was safe and made it through two rounds of racing.”
“A fantastic dinner was had on Saturday evening, and then Sunday morning’s pancake breakfast saw us ready to get started and complete the event. One more round of racing was required and then the finalists were determined and the finals run.”
Working hard through the extended event to take home the well-deserved event trophies were:
Oz Muscle
Winner – Peter Karayannis, R/U: Nick Karayannis
American Muscle
Winner: Tony Antonino, R/U: Rick Pfitzner
Vintage Gas
Winner: Ash Hayley, R/U: Troy Newton
Hot Rod
Winner: Noel Inman, R/U: Ed Emanuelli
Nostalgia Super Stock
Winner: Kieley O’Connell, R/U: Wayne Edwards
Top Gas
Winner: Brian Keane, R/U: Peter Furlanetto
Middle Eliminator
Winner: Peter O’Connell, R/U: Bill Crozier
Top Eliminator
Winner: Dale Tucker, R/U: Chris Dalton
I want to say a massive thanks to all our track staff for another huge effort leading up to and during the event and getting it done. Thanks to the Rambunctious Rodders for your help putting the event on and feeding us all,” said Thorton.
“Another fantastic event completed under trying circumstances, we look forward to our upcoming events and hopefully some better weather.”
Thanks to Little Gem Photography for these images, check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesleyLittleGem
