The 2012 Track Championship Series was run for the last time on Saturday night at Hidden Valley Drag Strip with the series remaining undivided for some categories.
Super Sedan and Street Bike finals stood out due to the fact that none of the series leaders made it through to the final round. Street Bike had Brandt McGlade defeat Josh Schuit, leaving the championship tied for first place between Darren Savage and Mark Tattingham. A final rule interpretation is outstanding on how to split the two leaders.
While in Super Sedan, it was Mick Dureau who took out the win against Daniel Forman, running a 10.322 on a 10.23 dialin against Forman’s 9.876 on a 9.84 dialin. After winning four out of seven rounds this year, Grant Rowe took out the 2012 series for the category with his closest rivals a distant 70 points behind.
Street Car was a similar affair to Street Bike, the series remaining undecided after both Bob Czerniawski and Ellen Musk tied for overall first place. Musk made it through to the finals but lost against veteran Gary Baker who also secured a perfect 0.000 second reaction on his way to his finals berth. It was enough for Musk to leapfrog into equal first over Greg Reed.
Junior Dragster saw a continuation of Jodie Coles recent form with a win over Darcy Muller after Muller broke out. Coles’ 8.549 second pass on an 8.50 dialin was enough to secure her position as the number one junior racer in the Top End for the second year in a row.
Rumour has it that Jodie will step up to A/JD next year and already has her eyes set on Dad’s 1968 supercharged Camaro in a few years time.
With a small field the Outlaw finals came down to the two competitors that have been fighting it out for the duration of the year, Dieter Herrmann vs Grant Radcliffe. Radcliffe was too good for Herrmann, a holeshot reaction saw him beat Herrmann, even though Herrmann ran a near perfect pass with a 7.742 at 184.02mph on a 7.74 dialin. Radcliffe running through with a 8.466 on an 8.46 dialin. Herrmann still went away with his own personal victory, running another personal best and retained his unassailable lead to take out the overall season as well as the Champion of Champions award.
Modified Bike was a hat trick for Dale Smith, winning his third consecutive meeting in a row, and the second in a row against Leith Darrach. It was enough to cement Smith’s first place on the leaders board for the season but not to be disappointed Darrach went away with his first ever 8 second pass on his 2006 Hyabusa.
In Super Street Troy McGregor reaffirmed his lead with a fifth straight finals and third straight win over Alvaro DeCastro after DeCastro broke out, running a 12.425 on a 12.43 dialin. McGregor finished with a 12.596 at 107mph on a 12.50 dialin.
This Friday is the final event of the year with the last Beat the Heat Off Street race event, coupled with the annual end of year burnout competition at Hidden Valley Drag Strip. Gates open at 6pm with racing from 7pm.
Photo – Mick Dureau, provided by Ed Forman – www.highrpm.com.au
