Current Australian Top Bike Champions, Nitro Voodoo have taken out a Round Win at the recent Fuchs Australian Nationals held at Sydney Dragway on 10-12 September 2010.
Matheson said the weekend was a great credit to the Team, setting a high bar for fellow competitors, despite not running the Bike since winning the Winternationals in June, a couple of months ago.
The Nitro Voodoo Team won Top Qualifier, Lowest ET 6.111, Top Speed 216.65 mph, Won the meeting and set a new Track Record in the process.
“The weekend started off well when the Team attended the Annual Championship Winner Gala Dinner on Thursday night, which was attended by in excess of 300 competitors, family, officials, sponsors and guests,” said Crew Chief Roger Bloor.
“We were keen to hit the ground running, as we did last year in round one, winning at Willowbank in the Teams debut.
“It’s critical to win Rounds and accumulate points towards the championship. Matheson was focussed and keen to get on the bike after a long layoff and eager to put into action advice Larry & Steve McBride had given him in his recent trip to the States,” he said
Matheson fired a 6.16 in the first shake down which was no mean feat. Matheson ran the Bike to the 1000ft mark, longer than he has been before, which is an encouraging sign he is confident.
“The Track was challenging and threw up curve balls as we struggled for traction,” said Bloor.
The first pass ended up becoming a top qualifying pass as, Matheson struggled in the remaining qualifiers.
Matheson was lucky to survive the first elimination, crossing the centre line at the finishing line, as the Bike snaked its way down a challenging track.
Fortunately, fellow competitor Phil Parker did not stage, so Matheson got through, despite taking out the timing cones and not recording a time. The semi saw Matheson up against former Top Bike Champion Troy MacLean on his new VTwin. Matheson was conscious of getting away quickly as MacLean had a killer reaction time and is known not to hold back at all. As the Bikes burnt out, MacLean’s Bike shut down and Matheson powered through for a 6.111.
Matheson was up against Geoff Redgrave, who had beaten Matheson in round 4 at Perth Western Nationals in February 2010. Matheson virtually smoked the rear tyre the first half of the track, watching Redgrave fly past for a deserved win clocking a 7.399 to Matheson’s 7.498.
Matheson knew he was on the limit of traction as his data from previous runs showed considerable tyre slip the length of the track.
“The guys had softened the engine clutch combo to deal with the challenging conditions and was still confident he could run a number if he could stay straight the entire pass,” Matheson said.
As Matheson hole shot Redgrave’s off the line, the Nitro Voodoo Bike snaked its way down the track, almost crossing the centre line around the 1000 ft mark. Matheson won on a 6.148 sec at 216.65 mph versus Redgrave 8.463 sec, wrapping up the round win.
“The Team excelled, providing me with a quick reliable Bike, I simply pulled the trigger and did my best to steer the Bike down the lane!” Matheson said.
“The Team was keen to get to the Perth Motorplex, as we have always enjoyed ourselves in WA. The Motorplex is crew member Graeme Turner’s home Track and has been the scene of some great results,” continued Bloor.
Matheson said he couldn’t wait to get there, as he loved the Track, the fans and the whole deal. The WA competitors will show no mercy, especially with a couple of new Fuel Bikes ready to debut their wares. Bring on Perth!
Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters – Red Line Oils, RB Performance, Rocket Industries, CRC Industries, Kitten Car Care Products, GT Radiators & Machining, PR Factory Store and special thanks to Larry “Spiderman” McBride & Steve McBride.
