Seattle-based drag racer Brandon Huhtala will be adding an international flavour to Sydney Dragway next weekend when he competes in the Super Stock division of the Rocket Allstars Racing Series.
The Series brings together the best Australian talent in sportsman drag racing, but it is rare to see overseas drivers take part.
Huhtala, 44, will be driving for Victorian James Xuereb, who has been a customer of Huhtala’s and keeps in regular contact. Xuereb has worked with Nick Xerakias, Max Craggill and Rod Clark to bring the deal together.
“About two years ago I started putting together a second engine for my car and James expressed some interest wanting to buy it from me,” Huhtala said. “All along he had been talking about having me come over.
“So we have the whole family coming, both my girls and my wife; we’re pretty excited about it.”
Huhtala has set many national records in the sportsman classes of the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) – the world’s largest drag racing organisation – and has his eyes on adding an Australian certificate to that list.
The Super Stock division uses a number of vehicle classes, which have different regulations and allowances, to index vehicles and it will be the B/Gas class Huhtala will target in Super Stock.
“As long as we go from A to B the national record should be in trouble, but these things can put your place real quick –that’s the fun part,” he said. “I love trying to analyse these things and making them work better, they can be tough. I really hope I can live up to his expectations.”
Huhtala will be facing 16 other drivers in Super Stock, part of the almost 200 sportsman teams entered for the event.
The Nitro Champs take place at Sydney Dragway on May 4-6 and features the full ANDRA drag racing experience including Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top Alcohol, Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle and the Rocket Allstars Racing Series.
Image courtesy Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
For more information about the Nitro Champs click here.
