The last two weeks has seen a fair bit of off season testing up and down the eastern seaboard, here is our Testing Times wrap up.
Calder Park’s Saturday street meet had a good turnout when you consider the forecast was saying rain all day. But while it was quite cold and overcast the wet stuff stayed away and those that did come along received plenty of track time.
Darren Difilippo was there doing some test runs in the brand new Jet Funny Car throughout the day, the car has been on the track before but this was the first time it has run with the body attached.
After laying down a very lazy 10 second pass it was back to the pits to discover there was an issue with the fuel pump on the after burner resulting in a massive loss of power. Otherwise Darren was very happy with the way the car preformed running straight and smooth.
It was then time for Peter Bedford to take the jets controls for the first time, the plan was to not run the afterburner while Bedford gains a feel for the car. After two passes the wind picked up and the decision was made to call it a day, as you can see the car is immaculately turned out and is sure to be a crowd pleaser wherever it goes.
Although there were not many comp cars there, those that were kept the onlookers entertained with some hard launches and stout passes. James Melmoth had the wheels up in the air running a best of 9.72 @ 130.
The Quickbitz team left the seven second Supra home but ran a 8.38 165MPH PB in their ol’ faithful SR20 Corolla.
Derek Wills altered runs into the 8.70’s.
This turbo xr6 was making its return after a long absence running a 9.0 at 151MPH after a couple of big wheelstands earlier on in the day, the Falcon runs full street weight minus a headlight!
Tino Scarpac’s nitrous big block HQ went 8.77 at 156MPH.
Paul Coles overcame the sticky start line and clocked a couple of 7.9 second passes
Mark Drew put some laps under belt in preparation for upcoming Pro Street Shootouts with a 8.40 at 164MPH from the naturally aspirated 600 cuber.
A few other tough sportsman racers looking to tune up for Calder Park’s sportsman series and point score starting from the Nitro Funny Car event in November.
We now move to Sydney, most of the testing has been restricted to Race For Real street meets, with Sydney Dragway inviting a couple of tough cars to put a show on each week during the street meet to promote other events.
Johnny Wilson strapped himself back into the Innocent Motorsports Camaro for the first time for some half track shots, Wilson has been out of action for over a year after a serious MotoX accident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLz9pOdEa7M
Anthony Fichera has stepped up to a twin turbo set up from GAS Motorsport and cruised to a 8.59 at 165MPH on a very soft tune
Young Brody Davies was trying to sort out some gremlins in the new Junior
Another tough Falcon for the Ford fans on track, David Daidone owns this one which has started putting down 10 second laps at Street Meets
Last time Deni Petrusevski was at a street meet it ended badly in the wall, move forward a few years and the VL is back and looking for sevens.
Blazing ten second AWD Evo of Alli Kaddour clicked a 10.19 at a massive 147 MPH
Big cube pro charged Monte Carlo from C&V dusted off the cobwebs with some half passes
Victor Tsatlogianis’ street version is nearly nudging the tens.
Wayne Fenech beetle launches hard of the line but struggles for a clean lap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aplLpUAFdQw
Shaun Manfredotti put his street VL into the 9.5’s.
Russell Lambs bad ass Torana has ditched the gas and got blown went low tens on a fat tune and can been seen cruising at Harry’s Cafe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPPQ3eMwZ5E
Nathan Hagenson debuted his 2JZ RX2, the night ended with a bang when the converter decided to self combust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJ9TaxIT2o
Toyota power must be the flavor of the month, Mark Hinson also has the 1JZ powerplant in his LC Torana which was good for high nines.
We keep heading north to Willowbank Raceway now where the Tremaynes tested their new in house engine combos with superb results, Tyronne running 7.04 at 195MPH and Aaron 7.05 at 195MPH
With Jamboree fast approaching the sport compact army are out looking for number, Craig Dyson knocked of 6.52 at 218MPH in the battle for 2JZ supremacy.
Rob Novak shot out a 7.19 at 190MPH personal best in the little four banger Dato ute.
And Colin Willshire became the first four cylinder in Australia to run a six second ET. The Mitsubishi Eclipse with a 4G63 in the rails blasted a 6.98 at 197MPH to create history.
Report by Grant Stephens & Darren Bingham
Photos by Darren Bingham & Cacklingpipes.com
