Aeroflow Top Doorslammer driver Robin Judd says becoming overcautious in the final of the Westernationals in Perth cost him the race and the chance to take the ANDRA Pro Series championship lead as the season moves back to Sydney.
It was a slow reaction time that allowed opponent John Zappia to score the holeshot and run away to the event win.
“I think I became over cautious at the Westernationals. This coupled with a shallow staging technique probably cost me the race,” Judd said. “My 0.201sec reaction time was unacceptable and uncharacteristic. I am confident I can shave a tenth (of a second) or so off that.”
The lazy reactions meant Judd paid a higher cost beyond just the event, as Zappia leapfrogged Peter Kapiris to hit first in the points while Judd remained in third.
Horsepower certainly wasn’t the team’s downfall with Judd setting a new track record for speed at 402kmh (250mph).
Judd is now seeking redemption in Sydney this weekend in the fourth round of the ANDRA Pro Series.
“My goal is to get consistently under 0.10sec reaction times and I will be practicing in qualifying to try and achieve this,” he said. “I recall hearing (TV presenter) Matt Naulty say my average reaction time was something like 0.14sec, if I had have achieved that I would have won the race.
“To help I’ve gone back to basics and dug out my portable practice Christmas Tree which I will be giving a real workout between now and Sydney.
“I know I can risk being a bit quicker on the tree now, the question is how much?”
Judd needs to go an extra two rounds of racing to make up the difference on Zappia and one round to jump past Kapiris.
The ANDRA Pro Series featuring Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle and the Rocket Allstars Racing Series is held on March 24 and 25 at Sydney Dragway.
Qualifying (Saturday) and racing (Sunday) both begin from 10am and tickets cost $35, with two day passes available for just $60.
