The Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway got underway in hot conditions as qualifying for the final round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship run and done.
The ANDRA Drag Racing Series will kick off qualifying on Saturday but today saw some potentially record smashing performances in Super Stock, Competition Bike and Super Compact.
Po Tung went a very impressive -0.95 under the National AA/OM record with a 7.196 second pass to take the Super Compact top qualifier in his last attempt.
In his return to ANDRA Championship Drag Racing, Tung insists there will be no backing off on raceday as he chases a record six-second pass.
“We haven’t raced at a national event for a while but when we set the index at 8.50 it was a good year, year and half ago,” said Tung.
“The car has been getting quicker ever since so we’re just going to give it all we’ve got and we’re looking for that 6.90.
“It went 7.08 at the Brisbane Jamboree this year at 207 mph so we’re just really pushing to get that six (second pass).
“I’m not worried (about the index) because I know the car can go faster. We’re just going to push as hard as we can.”
Super Stock provided multiple highlights as the top four qualifiers all went under their respective National records with Championship hopeful Jake Chaisty qualifying second on a 9.28 to go -0.65 under the H/MSA index.
Since returning to racing after a scary incident at Calder Park earlier this year, Daniel Camillieri has been gaining in confidence to the point where he recorded a 7.567 elapsed time to go -0.78 under the National DD/GA record to take the number one qualifier.
“The car went awesome, absolutely wrapped,” said Cammilleri. “Just thought we’d drive it out the back door to see what it would run.
“I’m moving around a little bit mid-track and I’m still struggling with that but we’ll get there, it just takes time (to regain full confidence).”
Competition Bike Championship leader Ross Smith almost went under his own C/AB National record qualifying 3rd in his bid for the title.
But it was Daryn Schuster who qualified 1st with an 8.259 second ET travelling -0.63 under the D/AB record. In 2nd was Peter Everett going -0.58 under the D/SB record on a 9.679 ET.
David Dequen wrapped up top spot in Competition Eliminator just two thousandths of a second away from going under the E/AA National record on a 7.42 ET.
Wayne Cartledge and Greg Leahy look will also look to play a part in the destination of the Competition Eliminator Championship from 2nd and 3rd as will Peter Pisalidis, in with a mathematical shot to cause an upset, in 6th.
The door has been blown wide open by Al McClure qualifying in 7th while fellow Championship leader Craig Geddes failed to make a representative pass. He will be allowed to take his place at the back of the undersubscribed field after attempting to stage.
One of the most intriguing battles of the weekend will be the shootout for the Supercharged Outlaws Championship. All but one of the 10 competitors in with a chance are in Sydney this weekend.
Defending number 1 Luke Marsden qualified 5th while Championship leader Mark Kuhn sits in 25th place. Jake Donnelly found form early to step into 4th position, Chris Van’t Hof qualified 7th, Rodney Hansen occupies 11th, Paul Stephen is 16th, Doina Day 17th, Justin Russel is 19th and Ryan Van Dyk sits 22nd.
Top spot belongs to Darryl Walford on a 6.52 second pass with Andrew Hodgson and Rob Coote a close 2nd and 3rd to ensure Supercharged Outlaws will be a marquee Group Three event on Saturday.
The chase for Modified glory is as tight as ever with Championship favourites Shane Wynd and Jess Turner split by 10 positions in 12th and 22nd.
Other drivers in with a mathematical chance to steal the Championship are Cory Dyson in 9th while Jasmine Ryan and Kenny Stewart sit 20th and 21st.
Andrew Musgrave secured top spot on a 6.636 as the only driver to record a sub-seven second pass.
Robert Campisi set his stall right off the trailer in Super Sedan running a 6.071 second pass and would never be caught to take the number one qualifier on his first attempt. Steve Petrovski was his nearest challenger seven tenths of a second behind.
Modified Bike Championship challengers Edgell Mallis and Joe Khoury found themselves in the top eight early in the day however they would eventually end up in positions 9 and 11 respectively.
David Carroll qualified 15th but quickest by a long way is Alex Borg with a 7.807 second pass as the three title challengers will not have an easy task on raceday.
Looking to wrap up the Australian Super Street Championship, Joe Jurkovic took top spot on an 11.110 second pass. Jurkovic occupied the number one slot all day and will be full of confidence going into eliminations.
His Championship rival, Kylie Tanner, qualified 14th but in dial your own racing it’s about hitting your mark and Tanner has been consistent all year.
Just five thousands of second separate the top four in Junior Dragster with Championship contender Toby Austin recording a perfect 8.000 to take top spot and fire the first shot in the Championship showdown.
John Fenech sits just one thousandth behind Austin as Eden Ward and Bianca Humphreys came in just four and five thousandths of a second behind Austin in 3rd and 4th respectively.
Jake Culmone and Naomi Lightowler recorded perfect 9.90s to take 1st and 2nd in Super Gas from Graeme Spencer just three thousandths of a second in 3rd. Defending Champion Matt Forbes qualified 5th on a 9.923 but he currently holds a 30-plus round win streak and will be tough to beat on race day.
Eliminations in the final round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at the Australian Nationals get underway from 10am on Saturday November 1.
ANDRA Drag Racing Series qualifying for Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle begins from 12pm.
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