The first test and tune in Sydney for 2013 witnessed a number of new rides debut and some tough performances in very hot and muggy conditions, here are the highlights.
John Lamattina licensed the family’s dragster, after two stepping the first launch most likely out of shock, a second launch and 330ft blast went perfectly with a cranking .846 short time. 
Jeff Wilson and Maurice Fabietti had a skid, Fabietti rolled the beams and a slow 6.7 ET was recorded on what looked like a respectable pass on his only attempt. Wilson recorded a 6.4 best as the team slowly creep up on a tune up for the brand new car.
Four nostalgia nitro cars blessed the track as well with one interested observer in the stands, Rick Gauci steering the ’57 Chev and Shane Olive in the Plymouth Arrow were the best of the bunch recording a 5.99 and 6.04 respectively, Peter Byrne shut off early to a 6.54 on their best pass and Daniel Schultz suffered some mechanical damage on their only run.
Leonard Azzopardi only made one lap for a 6.93
Jason Grima was testing the second car for a yet no officially named driver for the Westernats, US Pro Stock racer Grace Howell is nw very prominent in his corner.
Johnny Roso debuted a stunning Camaro destined for AA/APA, on what was a lazy first full pull a 7.17 was clocked for the 7.0 index. The Camaro is still well overweight and will be one to watch in the future
Another car that turned many heads was Darren Hill’s Dodge Challenger, a factory Super Stocker direct from the US which will slot into A/MSA and is an amazing looking ride. Hill left before the tree on the Mopar’s best pass failing to record a ET, but will be good for low nines at least.
Some Super Compact action, Bill Nabhan had the 13B escort wheelstanding past half track for a 7.72, Dean Cordowiner’s 7.65 has the little 13B Starlet back in the numbers.
A number of Supercharged Outlaws took to testing.
Of course there was the usual gathering of wicked quick Sydney sedans, Chad Taylor sent the mountain motor Landy into the sevens for the first time with a 7.95. Dallas Whyte is still having a few directional issues with the Camaro recording a off pace 7.35. Matt Grubisa PB’s the twin turbo 10.5 Camaro with a 7.00 at 203MPH, Elham El Ahmed cracked a 7.60 at 188MPH in the WRX and judging by the Rigoli boys in the background suggests its a WRX record. Brad Cooper debuted his turbo FJ20 Gemini but was not to record a solid pass.
Cant leave out the Sydney VL scene, the boys were pushing those RB’s hard, Ben Pascuzzo a 8.92 from a virtual streeter, Boz Georgievski wheelstood to a 8.47 and George Haramis went 7.66 at the street meet before backing up with a 7.77 on the day to remain the quickest genuine RB VL turbo in the land.
Tabatha Saunders has stepped up from Juniors and went 8.12 in the dragster, Rocco Romano also a ex JD racer has a new dragster and Phillip Scott sold his previous FED to another stepping up JD racer in Holly Mills and now has this gorgeous FED
