On of the most competitive categories in the 400 Thunder series , Pro Slammer, will reach a crucial point in the championship chase .
Reigning champ and current points leader Paul Mouhayet has an 85 point lead over former champ and long time on-track nemesis John Zappia. With three final round appearances from four races so far this season, Mouhayet has positioned himself well with only two rounds of the series remaining.
“We ran pretty well in testing leading up to the event and we have a lot of confidence in the car. We have changed some things around to try and get on top of some parts issues over the last few races, and it has really started to show the consistency that we are looking for,” the Moits Racing driver said.
“We know that Zappia is coming for us. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain so he will be a dangerous competitor this weekend. But you can’t worry about him alone because with the three round format just about anyone can do well.”
Zappia started the season well with a win in Darwin, but mechanical breakage halted his charge at round two of the series. He has steadily been clawing back ground but will need things to fall his way in Sydney in order to have a shot at the title.
Ben and Victor Bray are the flagship team for Gulf Western Oil and will be eager to continue a steady improvement in form that has seen Ben slot into third in points, while Victor currently sits inside the top ten at number seven.
Steve Ham has certainly had a season to remember but is still hunting his fist Pro Slammer Gold Christmas Tree, having recorded many wins in Pro Alcohol in his career. The performance of the car is certainly there having run consistent 5.6 second times and will be looking to take the fight to Paul Mouhayet.
Emilio Spinozzi and the Terra Civil team are quietly confident after finally cracking the five second barrier, and with renowned tuner Darren Mayer joining the team they are certainly in the hunt after besting with a 5.86 second pass in testing. With a big contingent of sponsors at the track this weekend, in addition to it being the teams home town race, expect to see a solid performance from the ex-Pro Stock winner.
Mark Hinchelwood is in his first season driving for Maurice Fabietti and AC Delco, and has had a baptism of fire into the competitive class. A semi-final appearance at his first event in Darwin remains the best performance of the season so far for the rookie, but with only a few races left on the current AC Delco Monaro before they debut a new car he wants to send it out as a winner.
Michelle Davies is flying the flag for the ladies this weekend as the only female in the field. She is currently the quickest and fastest lady in a supercharged slammer in the country, and is looking to notch up a few more round wins after running consistently in the fives in pre-event testing.
Geoff Gradden is another of the local racers that is looking to perform on his home track, and with a car that is proven to run consistently in the 5.80s with the occasional 5.70 thrown in he is not a racer to be taken lightly.
The Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder kicks off on Friday with 400 Thunder Sportsman Series qualifying and the 400 Thunder Professional Series non-compulsory shakedown passes. Saturday is race day and will see all professional teams on track three times each, with professional competition from 1pm.
Tickets and info are available at www.sydneydragway.com.au , with tickets also available at the gate.
