The Spring Nationals at the brand-new Dragway at The Bend, featuring more than 300+ Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series competitors alongside group one racers for NDRC Top Fuel, Dananni Hot Shots Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle and Pro Stock Motorcycle, saw drag racing come back to South Australia in exceptional style at the weekend.
The October 21 and 22 event marked the grand-opening of the new Dragway at The Bend, which is part of the impressive Shell V-Power Motorsport Park precinct of the Shahin family.
Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) Chief Executive Officer, Tim McAvaney, said the event marked a milestone moment for Australian drag racing.
“35,000 race fans poured into Dragway at the Bend over Saturday and Sunday and were treated to a long list of incredible performances from some of Australia’s best drag racers across Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and of course, the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series.
“I could not be more proud of all of the racers for their commitment and dedication to putting on the best show they could as South Australia enthusiastically welcomed drag racing back to the state with the opening of this world-class Dragway at The Bend.”
Sunday saw the sportsman racers launch straight into racing, battling for the chance to be able to call themselves the first ever Dragway at The Bend event winner for their bracket.
Vanz Pierano (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Craig Geddes (Competition Eliminator), Shane Baxter (Supercharged Outlaws), Kim Fardella (Super Stock), Matt Rossow (Super Street), and Jason Hoctor (Super Sedan) took out the wins from runners-up Zayne Condello (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Terry Waterman (Competition Eliminator), Kasey McClure (Supercharged Outlaws), Tim Triantafillow (Super Stock), Andrew Ricketts (Super Street) and Mick Aston (Super Sedan). Jason Young and Chris Dalton were also matched up for the Top Sportsman final, but the final itself was not run.
In regard to championship points, each sportsman (group 2, 3 and 4) entrant were awarded 20 points, to ensure fairness for championship contenders given the unavoidable weather-driven disruptions to qualifying.
The next round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series will be held at the Perth Motorplex’s Goldenstates across November 24 and 25, where they will race alongside the group one competitors of NDRC Nitro Funny Car, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer and Pro Alcohol. For event information, visit www.motorplex.com.au
UPDATE: NDRC statement on the Sportsman conclusion here.
