The Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Extravaganza might have happened a day later than expected after a weather interrupted Saturday but the racing was red-hot for with Sydney-racer Rick Gauci driving the ‘Nitro Express’ ’57 Chev to victory over the international competition.
The event was the start of a new drag racing show that has done away with many of drag racing conventional structures.
Racing was conducted over three rounds for all cars, with an ongoing points tally and bonus points in the final rounds based on performances.
American superstar Ron Capps was at the head of the field heading into the last run but the L.A. Hooker funny car just couldn’t ‘hook-up’ on the final pass on the night, where Gauci screamed to a huge personal best time to win the event.
Series Managers, Rob Sharp and Steve Bettes were please with the results, “This has been a long-time coming,” smiled Sharp.
“We have done a lot of things differently free hot dogs for kids, giveaway lollies, free monster truck rides, a fireworks, no eliminations and most importantly — a team of drivers, crew, marketing staff and administration working in one direction.
“This was the brainchild of one of the world’s best traditional drag racers in Graeme Cowin and I think the results will speak for themselves – this will be massive.”
Bettes added, “To have such positivity is rare and to be honest, very gratifying – we have such a talented group of people racing and working on this show – it’s outstanding.”
Gauci took the win over fellow Aussies Paul Messineo and Nathan Pierano, however the star of the show was undoubtedly Capps.
“Congratulations to Rick on his win, I’m glad we got to put on a show for the fans.”
“I humbled with the level of enthusiasm for the sport of drag racing in Australia. I had no idea that Australia followed our sport so closely – it’s pretty cool.
“I have to thank Graeme and Wendy Cowin and the support of Aeroflow performance products for bringing me out here and to the fans who make this possible, it can’t be done without them!”
Points Summary
Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Final Points and tie break final round ET;
1. Rick Gauci – 9 points – 5.697
2. Paul Messineo – 9 points – 5.773
3. Nathan Peirano – 9 points – 6.206
4. Daniel Schultz – 7 points – 5.819
5. Shane Olive – 7 points – 5.885
6. Aaron Hambridge – 7 points – 6.220
7. Ron Capps – 7 points- 6.372
8. Anthony Begeley – 5 points – 5.958
9. Willy White – 5 points – 6.148
10. Chris Stipanovich – 5 points – 6.370
11. Peter Leahy – 5 points – 6.790
12. Phil Lamattina – 3 points – 6.341
13. Aaron Russell – 3 points – DNR
