Ashley Sanford knocked out the quickest time for Top Fuel in pre-event testing for New Years Thunder at Willowbank Raceway, while John Zappia set a hot pace in the Pro Slammers.
Californian Sanford hit a 3.90/311mph in her only run for the evening in the Rapisarda Autosport International ‘Team C’ dragster ahead of today’s 400 Thunder round.
“I’m a happy racer girl after running a solid 3.90 that we pulled off in the Aussie heat during testing,” she said. “‘Team C’ gave me a smooth and fun ride, and we are going to push it even harder for race day tomorrow! Three win lights and a gold Christmas tree is ours.”
Sanford wasn’t the only nitro driver in the threes with Kelly Bettes (3.960), Damien Harris (3.968) and Wayne Newby (3.993) also putting numbers up in lights.
In Pro Slammer, John Zappia drove to a strong 5.64/254mph to make a statement for the Fuchs/Dananni Hotshots team. Also impressing was Steve Ham with a 5.68 from his Camaro, while Michelle Davies set a new personal best time of 5.92 in her Ford Mustang. Paul Mouhayet did not put in a full run but did go as quick as 3.80 to half track, while New Zealand’s Trevor Smith also got his big Holden into the threes for the first time on the eighth mile with a 3.99 half before a 6.14/222.
Pro Alcohol saw last round winner Rob Ambruosi the quickest with a 5.71 from his Funny Car. Chris Hargave did not make a full run but matched Ambruosi’s early numbers.
Aaron Tremayne topped Pro Stock with a 7.01. The bracket welcomed back Nino Cavallo and he looks like he could be a threat, with his half track time of 4.490 six thousandths quicker than Tremayne’s.
Finally the Pro Bikes, where Maurice Allen carded a 7.25/182mph to lead the pack.
Racing today at Willowbank Raceway sees another test session in the early afternoon before three rounds of all-run format hit the track. The event will be streamed live on Ovo.
