The second round of the ANDRA Pro Series for Top Fuel at Perth Motorplex featured five cars for Top Fuel and four bikes for Top Bike, not exactly the best fields ever seen in the West but capable of providing good racing nonetheless.
Top Fuel
Damien Harris won his first ever Top Fuel event with a 4.72 in the final against Andrew Cowin. Harris had the most consistent car of the weekend and took a deserving win. His first qualifier was the only one where he struggled after breaking an accelerator cable in the burnout. He is now right up with Cowin in the points.
In terms of impressive drives, Andrew Cowin delivered in spades. This holeshot in round one would see him use a 5.40 to defeat a quicker 5.36 from Mark Sheehan. It also included a magnificent pedal job through the top end of the track. Cowin also scored top speed of the event for his troubles with a 313mph blast.
Darren Morgan’s all-black dragster didn’t have its best event. He couldn’t put in a full lap in qualifying and a pedalling 5.57 in the first round would not be enough to defeat a tough 4.83 from Harris. Morgan was able to return later in the night for a grudge pass and clock a 4.76 however to give the team some confidence for the next round at the Motorplex.
Phil Lamattina’s Fuchs team top qualified with a first session 4.79, quite a good run considering the heat. There was a couple of engines that needed replacing in qualifying however and after a first round solo Lamattina smoked the tyres against Cowin in the semis.
Mark Sheehan, with US tuner John Smith helping out, was hopeful of some plentiful fours but was caught out by tyre smoke in this qualifying session. After a first round loss to Cowin a later 4.98 on a grudge pass, onboard above, gave Sheehan some reason to smile. By the way, the new paint is to match the two Funny Car bodies he now has.
Top Bike
The above picture is the view most competitors had of Chris Matheson throughout the second round of the ANDRA Pro Series. A best time of 6.28 was streaks ahead. However in a dramatic final Matheson was almost caught out when he smoked the tyre early in the pass…
…which gave Mark Drew an opportunity to seize victory. Unfortunately Drew couldn’t quite control his ride at over 200mph and took out the finishing line beams, handing victory to Matheson.
Chris Porter lost in the semis to Mark Drew despite his best run of the event, a 7.16. (file photo)
Phil Parker is continuing to chase the bugs out of ‘Gracie’ in the search for that ever elusive six second time slip. (file photo)
Finals
Thanks to the Gardner Broz here are the finals of all categories bar the ANDRA Pro Series. Good work dudes!
Top Comp
Al McClure top qualified with a .75 under 6.61 in his BB/FCA. Here’s some slow motion in appreciation. He also made it to the final and went runner up to Daniel Gregorini.
Wayne Keys ran a quick 6.03 in AA/AP and made it into the B Final following a 6.12 in the elimination round but lost to Russell Ladbrook.
Speaking of Ladbrook, he found new performance levels with a superb 5.82 in the elimination round on a 5.78 AA/FC national record. Looks like Rob Pilkington might have some competition!
Marty Dack got very loose after spraying oil, the track requiring a big clean up afterwards that would eventually bring Friday night qualifying to an early close.
Daniel Gregorini took the event win and ran a personal best 6.01 in his Rootes-supercharged Camaro. The battle is now on in earnest with Wayne Keys for the title of first Rootes and first AA/AP in the fives!
Murray O’Connor is beginning to regain ground, cutting a 6.17 in qualifying but he still needs to find some consistency. But at least you got a picture right Muzza? We still love you. <3
Ryan Moresby continues to have an explosive beginning to his Top Comp career with this firey effort from the Statesman.
Rob Pilkington was a surprise non finals appearance despite a 5.86 from the Force Equipment Funny Car.
Competition Bike
Ross Townson got a little explosive off the line with the nitrous.
Speaking of nitrous, Sean Arthur has quite a cool little flame coming from his bike now.
Matt Haunold is now targeting the CC/CBI track record with his Blu Energy Drink Suzuki.
Gotta love carrying that front wheel out, hey Ryan Learmonth?
Greg Durack recorded a mind numbingly quick 7.16 on his CC/CB. He is now creeping up on Australia’s quickest ever turbo bike pass and also a six second time slip. Check out the horror shake in the super slow mo though!
Terry Jongen rode his luck through to the finals of Competition Bike despite a gearbox that was causing him plenty of trouble. However he would have to settle for runner up.
Ross Smith took another win, setting himself up well in the championship.
On another note Neil Anderson hasn’t been racing the last few events for personal reasons so we wish him all the best and hope he can be back on track soon!
Modified
Andrew Frost is all concentration off the line.
Dave Dequen ran a 7.85 in his new car which we think is destined for E/AA duties?
Trent Morrison stages up for racing.
Kim Nordahl was in the winner’s circle following a .018 reaction and an 8.66 on an 8.62 in the final over Manda Appleyard.
Super Sedan
Paul Downe continues to enjoy much success in Super Sedan, the Blackmarket Commodore achieving another win.
Kevin Hort finally got to a final in his Holden Monaro, a long held goal in the tough Super Sedan category.
Alby Bakranich lost out to Hort in a close quarter finals race.
Speaking of Bakranich, it was he who put Gail Floyd out earlier on.
Clinton Rushton was representing the modern era well in Super Sedan.
Modified Bike
Modified Bike top qualifier Luke Nieuwhof used an 8.23 in taking the honours. Just a shame about the second round red light!
Dave Gajsek smokes in the startline.
Justin Townson made it to the final but unfortunately could not start and was very sporting in letting Gavin Preen know early as he went for a solo.
Speaking of Preen, here he is! Well done on the win!
Super Street
A bit of four wheel drive flavour in Super Street.
Mixed in with some P76 action courtesy of Ray Lecocq
While Ben Markham smokes it up old school Torana style.
The wins went to regular finals contestant Scott Jeffreys with a runner up for Darren Bakranich.
Junior Dragster
Matthew Matulovich used a 7.87 on a 7.85 dial in to defeat George Blacklock in the final.
In the rookie division meanwhile Beau Higgins defeated brother Kane.
Photo gallery at the below link
