The opening round of the Atura Blacktown Track Championship Series at Sydney Dragway featured 250 entries and free entry for spectators, however the weather machine dropped consistent drizzle all day long to dampen the mood and try everyone’s patience.
The precipitation was not enough to wet anything, but it did hold racing up countless times and certainly would of affected the crowd figures, the hard working track staff pushed on and the event was completed close to schedule – it would of been nice to see a few more faces in the crowd, but hopefully the track continues with the initiative to build up a fan base for bigger events.
Mark Mariani took a couple of stabs at the track and produced solid early numbers.
Top Comp
Lyle Gilmore was left on his lonesome in the Top Comp final with a no show from Jeff Wilson.
Super Comp
Two index racing heavy hitters pitted themselves against each other in the Super Comp final. Dominic Rigoli – the Super Compact National Champion – has had a blinding start to this year’s National Championship as well, facing the Eclipse was the likes of Fred Soleiman and his B/MPA record smashing and wheelstanding GTO. Rigoli struck issues in the final and Soleiman powered on to a 8.294 win, which is a light year under the 9.01 index – look out Nitro Champs in Super Stock.
All In 10.5
Michelle Davies beat everyone down with consistency in her blown Torana – 6.58 6.52 6.53. Much fancied rival Paul Mouhayet could not find reverse in the final with the Moits Mustang allowing Davies to run another low 6.50 for the win and big cash bonus from the All In 10.5 racers.
Wild Bunch
Wild Bunch has swapped back to the traditional elimination style of racing this season. The final featured Arthur Yiannitisos with his Capri against the Pontiac of Tim McCarthy, on a handicapped pro tree start Yiannitisos cut a great .059 light – best of the event in the class – and the Capri held that advantage to the stripe for the win.
Supercharged Outlaws
John Ward started his championship defence off with a win, withstanding a 200mph charge from Rob Coote’s altered in the final.
Top Sportsman
Steve Fowler was a shock round one loss when the GXP struck the tyres off the line, Brett Sheard went on to take an emphatic win over Ronnie Palumbo who has continued on with his strong form late last season, but broke out in the final.
Modified
Former Junior Dragster racer Emma Williams travelled all the way from Victoria to compete in Modified with her and dragster and nearly pulled off the victory breaking out in the final to Brendon Luke’s front engine dragster. Luke earned his win taking down some of the heavy hitters in the bracket like Tim Nielsen and Peter Brown along the elimination road.
Super Sedan
A giant Super Sedan field was whittled down to defending Track Champion Michael Little and Mopar man Brett McNiff. A .005 from the Valiant had Little chasing with a .021, both racers broke out on the top end, McNiff by the least to take home the trophy.
Modified Bike
A -.004 red light ended the current Track Champion Matt Hunt’s hopes of a perfect start to his title defence, the win was handed to Brett Curnow aboard his Harley Destroyer.
Super Street
Perennial finalist Stan Nikitaras chalked up another win in his orange Capri in a double breakout dual with Pat Firriolo’s one tonner.
Super Gas
Naomi Lightowler has come of age already in her first full season of Super Gas with a win over Anthony Panetta.
Junior Dragster
The current National Champion Toby Austin has entered his final season of Junior Dragster and will be looking to cap it off with another championship. Austin made the perfect start defeating Lachlan MacCaskell who was a little too eager to get off the start line in the Mach One Welding dragster.
HAMBster
The HAMBster field competed on a Chicago Shootout format, the final came down to one of three Danglmaier’s in the class in Jeff taking on Peter Grant. Again this one was all over at the tree with Grant picking a 0.076 cherry.
Street Fighter
The Zammit family name in synonymous with Track Championship finals, this time it was Don putting the cleaners through Street Fighter with his VK Commodore and wiping the floor with Wayne Smith in the final.
Street Bike
Manuel Hliounakis had a flawless event, not only did he pick up the Street Bike win over Mick Withers, he also collected $1000 for the first perfect light of the day.
Next round of the Atura Blacktown Track Championship is on April 12
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