Official testing ahead of the 42nd annual Westernationals concluded yesterday at Perth Motorplex with Andrew Sutton and Lee Bektash leading the way in Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock respectively. Sutton was one of the few Top Doorslammers in pre-testing to tame the hot surface, with a 5.99 reward for the Northern Territorian’s efforts.
Queensland’s Ben Bray managed a 6.01 second lap out of his Sidchrome 440 Holden Monaro as teams built up their data reserves for this weekend’s third round of the championship.
Lee Bektash proved his Dodge Stratus still had some life left in her, the car attending its last event before a new Dodge Avenger is imported from the USA. The factory-backed Mopar team produced a 7.11 at just over 305kmh.
Bektash’s quasi team mate, 2012 Australian Nationals champion Wayne Daley, was second quickest with a 7.12 time in his own Diamond T Tools Avenger, ensuring a very successful day for the Mopar entries.
International star Brandon Huhtala took his first look at the Motorplex and immediately showed promise, matching the early sector times from Bektash before shutting the Jason Grima Motorsports Ford Mustang down early, hinting at potential to come from the outfit.
Shane Tucker didn’t have the day he wanted in the Monster Energy Pontiac, finishing up a frustrating round of testing by having the parachutes fail to deploy and going into the sand trap. Fortunately there was little damage besides having to replace two flattened front tyres.
Meanwhile in testing for the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship, Alistair McClure impressed with a 6.46 second pass in his supercharged altered, well under the existing 6.53 second record.
Also Chris Vant’Hof scored his first six with a 6.94 in his Supercharged Outlaws Corvette, Sam Gullotto also joined the six second club with a 6.96 just off the B/AP record in the ex Hedges Pro car. David Dequen was just off the E/AA record with a 7.58.
The Westernationals officially kicks off this Saturday with qualifying before race day on Sunday.
