West Australian Funny Car driver Russell Ladbrook turned some heads recently with an impressive performance in the exhibition Top Alcohol bracket at the recent Home Group WA Nitro Slam at Perth Motorplex.
Ladbrook ran a 5.96 at 243.90 mph in a defeat of Stephen Del Caro, who will be competing in the upcoming Top Alcohol ANDRA Drag Racing Series opener at the 44th Westernationals, and a 5.765 at 246.57 mph in a final loss to a streaking Craig Glassby, all in full Competition AA/FC trim.
“This was actually the second time this season that we went Top Alcohol while still being in full AA trim,” said Ladbrook. “For the Westernationals we are running in AA.”
Up against 2014 Australian Competition champion Al McClure and the always-quick Kyle Putland in his stout Altered in Round 2 of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, Ladbrook is taking nothing for granted but when asked whether he can take the win he says “Bloody oath!”
“The car is 98 per cent ready and the driver is 75 per cent. My crew chief says to catch up with the car!
“The best races are the hard ones. And in drag racing no race is over until the finish line, the mathematics of the reaction times and that final look from your crew chief.”
Ladbrook has been racing for five seasons now after initially competing at Motorvation in his Ford Cobra before taking to the strip with the help of Grant O’Rourke.
Guided by crew chief Stuart Rowland, his team consists of long time friends and family including his partner Nathalie.
“She works the left side of the engine and also has the best eyes for finding problems before they occur,” he says.
Although without a sponsor currently, Ladbrook says the team are happy to field offers especially as the car itself is a star in it’s own right.
“The body and chassis was originally owned by Mark Thomas and known as the first ethanol corn car and was photographed in front of the White House with George Bush.”
For more information about Ladbrook Racing please visit www.northamcarcare.com.au/ladbrook-racing.html.
The 44th Westernationals begin on Friday January 30 and continue through Saturday January 31 at Perth Motorplex.
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