Mother Nature intervenes – Winternationals Warm Up day one report

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Mother Nature had the final say on day one of the Winternationals Warm Up, beforehand though there was still plenty of action as teams work to fine tune ahead of next weekend’s showcase Winternationals.

A number of Group One teams seized the chance for a few laps before the heavens opened.

Gary Phillips had two attempts at the track during the day, both times resulted in massive tyre shake and the multi time champion shutting off before the quarter track markers.

Darren Fry in his Top Alcohol flopper also rattled the tyres big time on the launch but still managed to run a 5.94/252.52, alongside him was John Cannuli who ran a way early shut off 6.64 on what would be both cars’ only passes for the day.

Peter Zelow in his new Top Alcohol dragster also drove through some big shake to a record a 6.68 at 154.02mph as he steps towards licensing the car.

Tyronne Tremayne made two passes today in his Pro Stock Pontiac GXP resulting in a first up shut off 7.92 then a 7.11 at 162.68mph on a chutes out early pass with a 1.016 short time.

After fronting for the media, Grace Howell took the seat of Scott Porter’s Pro Stock Mustang coming up with a 7.40 pass earlier on the day. Then the one time NHRA racer showed the boys how to do it, clocking a 7.04 at 193.27mph with a 1.014 60 foot time to make a few people stand up and take notice. The run was the quickest ever by a female driver in Australian Pro Stock.

In his first appearance this season Wayne Daley fired one shot at the track resulting in a 7.10 at 189.68, leaving the crew happy and knowing there is plenty more left in the Avenger.

There was a good showing of two wheeled nitro scooters, Chris Porter laid down a 6.83 at 210.44mph, and Chris Matheson shutting off early to a 6.64 at 172.28mph

Mark Drew took the first lap on his new ride carrying the front wheel for most of the measured distance stopping the timers with a 6.62 at 222.29mph, not bad for an off the trailer debut.

Bill Goonan came out in his Camaro Top Doorslammer for the first time since his sand trap roll over at Easter’s Super 3 Extreme meet. Severe shake bit the rebuilt Camaro and Goonan shut off, not managing to run a number at all.

Kelly Bettes coaxed a 7.28/188.67 out of the Jett Racing CC/SC Datsun 1200, the accompanied tyre shake shows a lot of potential still left in this pocket rocket.

Ben Palmer ran a 8.57/150.15 in his Mazda rotary which was way over a tough 7.20 BB/SC index.

Rodney Moore running in DD/GA rattled the tyres big time in the Hilux but still managed to clock a 8.44/162.84 time slip, then returned running a bracket car like performing 8.44 at 160.75. Also in the Competition classes, Danny Tuelstrup’s B/DA had two hits on the day with a 7.64/177.56 and a 7.67/162.72 all suffering from big tyre shake from the high revving small block.

Bob Wisely was licensing his neat looking A/AP Firebird and managed to turn out a half track 8.31/124.19 showing that this car has some real potential in it.

Tony O’Connor has stepped up from Super Sedan to come and play in the Super Stock ranks going 9.19/155.70 in A/MPA trim with the Falcon.

Chris Vanthof showed some good consistency from his Supercharged Outlaws Corvette running a 6.85, 6.86 and a 6.87 all around the 207mph region.

Jake Donnelly’s Supercharged Outlaws ’57 Chev Funny Car also showed steady times going 6.75 and 6.73.

Aimed at the Pro Street scene, Wade Wagstaff came out to play with the Supercharged Outlaws in his new ’57 Chev toy still sporting those 10.5 shoes and put down a 7.04/173.87 number.

Dean McClennan will need to step it back a bit if he intends on running in Supercharged Outlaws next weekend, a way too quick 6.43 at 198.70 complete with big shake all the way to 200ft out will have them readjusting the tune up. Rounding out Supercharged Outlaws testing was Leigh Ryan’s Chevy S-10, after ending up seriously sideways on his first run down the track, came back to put down a solid 7.04/194.88 pass.