Despite rain delays and thunderstorms, the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship eliminations reached the half way point as several Championships are yet to be decided on a thrilling final day.
Competition Eliminator Championship rivals Craig Geddes and Alistair McClure overcame a tricky track to advance with a final showdown a strong possibility if they can successfully negotiate tough match ups with Tony Bellert and Greg Leahy.
Peter Pisalidis went out in Round 1 to Geddes himself ending his slim hopes of a title.
The Super Stock Championship picture has become clearer with Steven Norman eliminated from contention in a defeat to Shane Moran. That leaves Jake Chaisty and Mario Barbon to duke it out and potentially meet in a final showdown.
Chaisty reset the H/MSA National record, for now, with a 9.401 second pass to secure valuable bonus points toward a first ever Championship. He meets Jim Ioannidis in Round 2.
Mario Barbon however will get a solo run in the next round thanks to a win over top qualifier Daniel Camilleri.
Domenic Rigoli locked up the Australian Super Compact Championship despite a defeat to Phillip Karpathios in Round 1. The 20 points awarded for the loss put him out of touch of his nearest rivals to ensure he will raise the ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree for 2014.
In one of the big Group Three stories of the day, Rodney Hansen eliminated Supercharged Outlaws Championship leader Mark Kuhn in a close Round 1 match up.
Luke Marsden, Paul Stephen, Ryan Van Dyk, Jake Donnelly Doina Day and Chris Van’t Hof all advanced to keep their Championship hopes alive.
Interestingly Rodney Hansen will face off with Jake Donnelly on day three while Ryan Van Dyk will take on Paul Stephen.
Coming into the day Jess Turner was just 20 points behind Shane Wynd in the Modified Championship but an opening round loss to Kelly Bettes ended her hopes of a first National title.
Points leader Shane Wynd negotiated a match up with Justine Piddington to put pressure on the chasers however he faces Jasmine Ryan in Round 2 who still has a mathematical chance to win the title.
Joe Khoury had been one of the stand out performers in Modified Bike throughout 2014 but a red light in Round 1 put paid to his title hopes opening the door for David Carroll and Edgell Mallis to take advantage.
Both riders are on opposite sides of the ladder and could meet in the final if they can negotiate three more rounds. Mallis faces Steve Barrett while Carroll is paired with Matthew Hunt in Round 2.
Kylie Tanner and Joe Jurkovic advanced past their first round to keep their title fight alive with the prospect of meeting in the final for a third time this year. On day three Tanner faces a tough customer in Robert Winterburn while Jurkovic will take on Belinda Welch.
In Junior Dragster Cory Burns and Toby Austin came into eliminations just 20 points apart. They would ultimately meet in Round 2 but unfortunately for Burns a red light ended his charge allowing Austin to take the win and tee up a Championship showdown with David Roberts on day three.
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The action picks up again on Sunday with sunny weather forecast for the final day of the Australian Nationals and the 2014 ANDRA Championship Drag Racing season.
