The Australian Drag Racing Championship for Top Fuel Bike has seen points leader Rob Cassar haul his nitrous Kawasaki to all corners of the country, fighting for the championship that will reach its climax in Darwin. In fact, the Ballistic Drag Racing team have clocked up over 26000kms in travel for the championship that started in Darwin twelve months ago.
The stage is now set at the series Grand Final to determine who will be champion. Cassar’s season has been almighty, his nitrous Kawasaki has punched above its weight against its much quicker nitro powered rivals be it V-twin or four-cylinder – consistency proving to be his strength.
While career goals have been achieved, there also has been a downside.
“There has certainly been some ups and downs,” said Cassar. “With the loss of two engines at the Goldenstates in November, and some tricky trailer malfunctions, but the highlights being several PBs – the most recent the six!”
“We are looking forward to the last round of the ADRC Top Fuel Bike Championship which will be the championship decider at the Triple Crown in Darwin. With a lead of 47 points, Benny Stevens is hot on my tail with his 287 points to my 334. I am just going to go to Darwin doing what I have been doing – being consistent and cutting good lights. I will be trying for some more six second passes and if everything goes to plan it should all fall into place.”
Cassar’s career highlight came at the last round of the championship at the Nitro Champs in Sydney when he punched his Kawasaki into the six second zone for the first time. Cassar takes us through how that day unfolded for the team.
“A goal that I set myself a long time ago was to be the first Australian to run a six second pass on a nitrous bike. Last month, in Sydney at the Nitro Champs ADRC round I finally achieved that goal,” said Cassar.
“I was taking my morning walk on the track and talking to a good friend of ours, Bruce Sauer. We were bouncing around some ideas and speaking about how we have run quick at some of the eight-mile tracks like Portland and Mildura, but just couldn’t get it together on the quarter mile. Bruce asked what had I changed, and I said nothing other than ramping the NOS in quicker. ‘Right’ he said, ‘then let’s bring it in slower like you do at the eighth-mile tracks and see what happens’. Back at the pits I put a call into Katie at home and we agreed it was worth a try.
“Round one we had John Zahra. I had run 7.03 in qualifying and John was testing out a new cylinder head– if he got things together, I would have been toast! We were third pairing and Chris Matheson was in front of us, I was trying to focus on my own race but was keen to see what Chris was going to do chasing that elusive five. I had no idea he was about to change history for Australian drag bike racing, and as I sat there, I got to witness Chris run his first five second pass. I was so happy for him, and whilst I was trying to get ready for my run, found myself more emotional about Chris. I said to my crew to start the bike as I felt like I might cry with joy.
“With my emotion under control we fired the bike, I did a burnout and headed into stage with no idea about what was about to happen for me. I think I rushed and the tree came down, so off I went! With an 0.44 light, the bike felt so smooth and straight, I knew I had laid down a good pass, I just didn’t realise how good it was. 6.94 at 187mph– woohoo!
With just over a week to go until Nitro Up North at Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin it is game on and you will be able to witness the exciting conclusion to the ADRC Top Fuel Bike Championship on 7Plus if you cannot be at the event in person.
Cassar wants to finally mention all those who have helped him reach this point in the season.
“As the season draws to a close, I would like to say special thanks my wife Katie for being there for the last 23 years of my racing, and thanks to all my crew; my nephew Shaun, the Sobolewskis in Sydney, and our cousins in South Australia,” stated Cassar.
“To all our sponsors who have supported us this season; POWERPLUS Race Fuels, Denso Auto Parts Australia, Force Wear Group, Ballistic Performance Parts, Shinko Tyres Australia, Lucas Oil Nolan X-Lite, EK Race Chains, Lectron Carbs Australia, Firecore50, Andrews Automotives, ABS Moorabin, Cabworx, and Nitrous Express. I can’t thank you enough for your continued support, I was thrilled with my achievement – now I just want to back it up at the next opportunity.
