Western Australia’s Top Doorslammer racers are preparing for one of their most exciting events in years, as a points double header takes place at Perth Motorplex this weekend during the 47th annual Goldenstates Championship.
The event will feature not only the second round of the Direct Mining & Industrial Summer Slam, but also the debut of the Australian Drag Racing Championship at Perth Motorplex — where national points will be on the line.
Top Doorslammers are known for being difficult to tame, and the unpredictability is what has made the class so exciting across its quarter of a century of ANDRA competition. Every single entrant for the Goldenstates Championship has been into the five-second zone over the quarter-mile and that gives all of them a shot.
Dananni Hotshots Studebaker driver Stuart Moresby knows more than most that anyone is in with a shot. He would have rated himself an outside chance last season in the Direct Mining & Industrial Summer Slam, but ended up finishing in a podium position for the points.
“At the end of the day, everyone is beatable,” he said. “I haven’t been considered a real threat in the past but I am hungry and so are my dedicated crew, so it’s our time in the sun!”
When asked why his team will be the ones to walk away with the coveted ANDRA gold Christmas tree trophy come Saturday night, Moresby said he had been focusing on known weak points to give the Studebaker its best chance possible for success.
“We have been replacing and updating the components that have failed us in the past, so hopefully we can work on our tune up and get back to consistent five-second laps. The baker has finished cooking and it is time to eat!”
Eight racers are ready to rumble for Friday night qualifying, following by Saturday night eliminations. With the Northern Territory’s Matt Abel unfortunately hamstrung by quarantine requirements, it will be an all-WA field taking to the track. John Zappia comes in as a natural favourite, following wins at the opening round of the Direct Mining & Industrial Summer Slam earlier this month and the Desert Nationals in Alice Springs earlier this year, but he will have a target on his back from a high quality list.
Among them will be a returning Marty Dack, the winner of the 2020 Westernationals. His Noonan Hemi-powered Ford Mustang is one of the hardest chargers in the west, and should present a serious challenge to Zappia’s streak.
Daniel Gregorini started the ADRC season strongly with a win in Darwin, but has since found his Scratch & Match Motorsport Camaro to be tricky to get down the track. He salvaged a B Final win at the Summer Slam opener but needs to go one letter better to keep pace in the points.
Frank Taylor is back and looking to repeat the five-second form he found towards the end of last season in the DDH 1 Chevelle. He was the B Final runner-up at the first Summer Slam round.
Steve Aldridge’s Crown Security Barracuda has been on a run of consistency of late, with 5.7 second potential that should be realised in the warm conditions coming this Saturday.
’Mr Direct Mining & Industrial’ himself Kelvin Lyle has enough horsepower to be on the attack for both number one qualifying position and the win, should he be able to tame the Mustang down the track.
Pino Priolo also makes a welcome return for the first time this season with his beautiful ’37 Chev.
Top Doorslammer qualifying begins from 5.30pm on Friday night, with racing from 5.30pm on Saturday. Fans should ensure they arrive at Perth Motorplex early to check out the teams in the pits and find their place for a hot night of championship drag racing!
