Following another Competition Eliminator demolition at the Westernationals by Connor McClure in his AA/APIA turbo Corvette, the East Coast has now been put on alert with word McClure Motorsport are loading up and bringing Slimer to the Nitro Champs and Winternationals.
“We are heading East to chase some good weather and also show the East Coast Slimer in the flesh!” boasted Connor McClure. “Also, it will be an opportunity for Bailey (McClure) to get into the seat and give Slimer a rip for the first time in competition.”
It was the second straight Westernational title for Connor, along with sister Kasey who yet again won Supercharged Outlaw in her dragster as the team continue to rack up an outstanding run of victories in the West.
“The event was outstanding for us taking both cars to the winner’s circle on race day,” said Connor. “We are so happy to be able to do this two years in a row as well as continuing our four race double win streak!”
The Slimer Corvette belted the AA/APIA record into submission maxing out with a monster 6.17/229mph personal best is qualifying, and unexpected pick up when the team were only aiming for a 6.2.
“We made sure we had two A to B passes during the day while the track came around,” said Connor. “Then Blaze (Hansen) got the nod to give it a squeeze in the last qualifying session, the track was there but it wasn’t spectacular weather, none the less the car pounced out the hole 1.01 60ft, 4.03/182mph at the eighth and the 6.17 at 229 mph.
“Blaze had mentioned to Bailey before the pass that if it goes past 330ft it’s going to be special, and from the seat he wasn’t joking!”
It wasn’t all smooth racing with the sump splitting after a 6.34 in Q2, a issue that reared again during eliminations.
“The car had a few issues with the sump cracking over the weekend which where all taken care of by Tony wood Fabrication at the track,” said Connor.
A 6.39 for Connor in round one was unchallenged by a red-lighting Rhys Naylor. Stepping up in the heat for round two, Connor hunted down Ryan Van Dyk’s BB/Dragster with a 6.27 at 228mph. The semi-final Slimer was afforded a bye run and Connor still drove it out the back to a 6.29, bit once again split the sump. Repairs again by Tony Wood saw Connor face Jon Ferguson’s blown 55 Chev in the final, Connor fought the twitchy Slimer down track for a 6.21 at 222mph for the back-to-back Westernationals wins in Competition.
“Huge shoutout to my guys. This weekend was an absolute test for the guys and we could not do it without Troy, Brad and Russell and my family; Dad, Mum, Kasey, Bailey, Jayde,” said Connor.
Sister Kasey collected a hat trick of Westernationals wins in Supercharged Outlaws after she defeated the Torana of Peter Appleby in the final. The event wasn’t without a thrash in the Kasey McClure side of the pits either.
“After Kasey’s last qualifier on day two the team noticed low MPH from the car,” said Connor. “Diving into diagnosing the problem it was found that a lifter had lost a wheel on the little Buick, with no time to spare the crew got the car ready to face Norbert Claite in round one, on seven cylinders. As the team towed out we were informed Norbert would not face us as a result of a snapped camshaft, giving Kasey the chance to accept the tree and get back to the pits.
“Back in the pits it was full steam ahead getting Kasey’s blower and intake off the car and retrieving the broken lifter. Once the broken lifter was pulled from the engine the decision was made that the cam wasn’t in as bad a shape as we thought, and we would still run the car. Thanks to Glenn Robinson and Robbie Gaikhorst for driving to get a set of lifters Robbie had at home.”
Before McClure Motorsport head East with McClure you can catch them this weekend at Nitro Max 2 hunting more PBs.
Check out the below VLOG of McClure Motorsports Westernationals journey.
