West Australian racer Kelvin Lyle has his eye on victory this week as he heads to Alice Springs Inland Dragway for round two of the ADRC Top Doorslammer championship as part of Red CentreNATS.
With the Top Doorslammer racers joined by the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship and over a hundred Heavy Hitter racers, the action at ASID this Friday will mark the biggest drag racing show ever seen in Alice Springs.
Lyle took out the round one victory at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway in June, and is hoping he can carry that momentum to another win this week as he pursues the title.
“Heading to round two as the round one winners, we are feeling confident,” Lyle said.
“We have changed a little bit on the car since Darwin but not too much of course. Overall, we are going into it with pretty much the same set-up as what we did in Darwin and hopefully, we can be consistent again and get through for the win.
“To get back-to-back wins would be a big boost for the team and to be able to head to round three in Melbourne with two wins behind us would be pretty huge for our title hopes.
“Having said that, it won’t be easy – you have some big names such as John Zappia and Matt Abel racing there and they are pretty quick at the Alice Springs track. Both know the track well and have been quicker than me there, so we will have to have our act together.”
While based in WA, Lyle is no stranger to the Central Australian venue.
“This will be our fourth time racing at Alice Springs, the first time we had the clutch in the car and after that we have been running the auto. It could get interesting with the weather – racing late in the afternoon and in the evening, it could be quite cold, so that could make things a little tricky as well,” Lyle said.
“I do like the track a lot, and I especially love the people there – they are so enthusiastic.
“While I have raced at Alice Springs three times before, this will be my first time at a Red CentreNATS and I am really excited about being a part of that – I reckon it is going to be a great event,” Lyle added, while thanking his crew chief, Stuart Rowland and his entire crew for all their support and assistance over the years through thick and thin.
“The crew have stuck with me through thick and thin, so hopefully we can give them a win this weekend.”
Red CentreNATS hits Alice Springs from September 1 to September 4, featuring the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, ADRC Top Doorslammer, Burnout Masters, Heavy Hitter Drag Racing, street cruising, elite show cars, the prestigious Road to the Grand Champion competition – and more. For full event information, programs and more, go to www.redcentrenats.com.au
For information on the ADRDC and the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au
