Round three of the HVDRA Track Championship Series saw a hefty increase in competitor and spectator numbers and also the return of the Smoke Show Burnout Comp for the first time this season to close out the night.
The weather was perfect albeit a little cooler that expected this time of the year (this is Darwin, cool is hotter than anywhere else in the country at the moment – Ed.) but the racing was a hot as ever.
Being the last round before the Nitro Up North circus rolls into town with the 400 Thunder Pro Slammers and Top Fuel Motorcycles along with the ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series the Top Eliminator Bracket turned into a test session.
Troy Wittwer had the Studebaker out for some track time as well Bronte Henning in his beautiful 53 Vette. Matt Abel was testing more new equipment in the ’57 Slammer and Rusty Gough brought his supercharged 1 Tonner out of retirement to get ready for the next event.
As we said the racing was a fierce as ever but was marred by a top end accident when Dale Mulej’s turboed SR20 decided to get the rods out at the finish line, and sent him careering into both walls in the breaking area. Thankfully Dale emerged unscathed however his Nissan S13 was extensively damaged.
Once racing got back under way it was non-stop entertainment on the Drag Strip right through to the finals. Then it was straight into the Smoke Show on the Cauldren to finish off a great night of action.
It was great to see the crowd stay right the very end showing that the Northern Fans love their drag racing and burnouts.
Race winners were Michael Dureau in Super Modified over a red lighting Gemini of Allan Applebee.
Mark Tattingham took out Modified Bike aboard his Kwaka over the Hayabusa of Leith Darrach.
Super Street went to the Commodore of Theo Karamanidis against Lyndsay Burmester’s Commodore.
Madison Harris was to good for Aidan Abel in the Junior Dragster final with a kikker 10.001 run on a 10.00 dial in.
In Street Car Jesse Fox came out the victor over Ben Carter.
And in Street Bike, Mark Tattingham doubled up with a win over Blake Donovan in a double breakout dual.
Next event is the 2018 Nitro Up North event featuring Top Fuel, Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars, Pro Slammers, Top Fuel Motorcycle and the opening round of ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series on the 13-14 of July.
