East Coast Thunder is underway at Sydney Dragway as part of the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series, were we saw the championship debut of Top Fuel Funny Car.
At the completion of qualifying Morice McMillin was the first top qualifier of the new championship bracket with a off the trailer 5.07 with the Aeroflow Funny Car. McMillin recorded a quicker 4.93 second pass at a booming 328MPH in the second qualifying run, however this was disqualified due to a starting line infraction from a crew member.
McMillin’s teammate Brandon Gosbell logged a very early shutoff 5.43 second run to slot into the number two position on the ladder.
Pro Alcohol came to a wild conclusion on the final pass of the night. Gary Phillips ran a 5.436 to retain his number one qualifying position, but championship leader Steven Reed in the opposing lane started melting floaters in the clutch, filling the funny car cockpit with sparks, smoke and clutch dust, momentarily obscuring his view. Crossing the centreline and nearly rear-ending the Phillips funny car, Reed called on every inch of experience he has in his 35 plus years in the seat, to miss miss Phillips and slide the car to a safe stop.
“I think the clutch exploded,” Reed said after the incident. “I couldn’t see, and all of a sudden I had Gary’s chutes in my face, so I grabbed the brake and it started sliding around.”
Reed will start from the number three position on race day, just behind Jake Donnelly in second with a 5.46, and Russell Mills pounded out a 5.52 in his covered FED to make everyone take notice with only a couple of full passes under his belt.
The unseasonal cold air produced jaw dropping runs from Aaron Tremayne and his brother Tyronne in Pro Stock. Aaron’s came in Q1, with a 6.89 – one of the quickest runs seen in Sydney Dragway history. Tyronne had the chance to drop the mark in Q2, and did just that, with a staggering 6.87 to take the Aeroflow Top Qualifier’s Award in Pro Stock.
Paul Cannuli make his single qualifier count with a tough 5.65 in Q1 to take the pole in Pro Slammer. He is followed by championship leader Steven Ham and a group of racers all anchored in the 5.7 second zone. Geoff Gradden and Michelle Davies round out the top half of the field, with Davies running a new personal best of 5.75 to sit in fourth.
Pro Mod saw championship leader Zoran Gajic sit on top slot in qualifying with a 5.88 second run. Collin Willshire – fresh off a final round appearance at the Winternationals – sits second, with Queensland’s Neil Murphy in third on a 5.98 from his blown Camaro.
Pro Stock Bike Championship leader Luke Crowley edged back toward the six second zone with a 7.05 to take the top spot from Scott White, in a tough couple of qualifying rounds for the bike brigade. Reigning champ, Glenn Wooster was happy to log a 7.61 run on an early shutoff and is looking forward to race day on Saturday.
Only two Top Bikes were on the premises, in Steve Badcock and Chris Matheson, the conditions are right for Matheson to crack the five second run.
Sportsman qualifying was completed bar Super Comp and Supercharged Outlaws who should finish their qualifying Saturday morning, Qualifying lists are:
Racing resumes at 9.00am on Saturday November 5 with some Sportsman qualifying still to be completed due to some delays, before they get into their racing. Professional series is on track at 2pm. Tickets available now at www.400thunder.com.au .
