It has been a somewhat tumultuous year for the Queensland Drag Racing Championship. Over half the events to date finished with out much of result due a luckless run with the weather, this weekend (Nov 14) the teams shape up for season’s Grand Final which will be in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
With the Grand Final looming, here’s how each championship bracket is shaping up.
In the index brackets, Jai Schluter scored a crucial win in the penultimate round of QDRC Super Comp, defeating Steve Sloan in his D/MP Cavalier. The victory puts Schluter on top of the points heading into the decider, with Rob Maddox in pursuit. In QDRC Comp Bike, Pete Farnell’s win over a red-lighting Beau Strike has elevated him to championship leader, though Strike remains close enough to apply pressure in the finale.
With two wins already this season, Josh Fletcher sits in prime position for another QDRC Outlaws track championship. However, his run stalled at the last event when Garry Cameron’s altered turned back the younger Fletcher, leaving Cameron with a real shot at snatching the crown this weekend.
Top Sportsman has narrowed to a two-way showdown between Tony Whyatt and Simon Isherwood, with Isherwood claiming the most recent victory over his title rival. Just three points separate them — expect fireworks in the Grand Final.
In Modified, Liezel Gouws has a firm grip on the championship thanks to a string of consistent final-round appearances, including a runner-up last event to veteran Jon Sting. She carries a strong advantage into the last round.
Operating under the Chicago Shootout format, the QDRC rewards consistency — and that’s exactly what Brendan Shore has delivered in Super Sedan. A runner-up at the previous round to Matthew Barron has given Shore a tidy points buffer over challengers Shaun Doblien and Adam White, setting up a three-way fight for the title on Saturday.
Modified Bike continues to be the Brian Alvisio show. Undefeated all season, Alvisio has been untouchable, locking in a commanding championship lead and marching toward back-to-back titles.
In Super Street, Shawn Taskis has been just as dominant, storming away with the championship lead. A perfect reaction time in his most recent final against John Massey sealed yet another win and keeps his Capri’s undefeated streak rolling.
Real Street has produced unpredictable results, but the latest round in October saw Dean Merchant triumph over a red-lighting Ian Nielsen. Nielsen’s runner-up keeps points leader Shane Grattan honest heading into the Grand Final.
Junior Dragster is the most one-sided battle of the season, with Karl Schulz well ahead — a full 14 points clear of Jazmin Kidd and Paige King — thanks to yet another racer enjoying an undefeated season.
And finally, in Junior Drag Bike, Vanz Peirano’s last-round victory over Scarlett Mansfield-French nudged him into the championship lead. He now faces a fierce challenge from the Badcock brothers as all three vie to become the inaugural Junior Drag Bike Willowbank Track Champion.
Check out some photos from the season to date courtesy of Drag Photos.
