Day 1 of the 39th annual Westernationals was filled with high drama with the record field of 352 race teams putting on a display of world car drag racing.
Led by ANDRA Pro Series Drag Racings Top Doorslammer and Top Bike categories the Group 1 and Group 2 qualifying sessions set the foundations for a sensational final day of action today commencing with the final qualifying rounds for the 6 Group 3 eliminators.
Pro Auto Services Greg Carter presents John Zappia with the Pro Auto Service $1,000 cheque for
Top Qualifying in ANDRA Pro Series Top Doorslammer
While there were a large number of stellar performances it was the John Zappia show as the veteran grabbed hold of the Top Doorslammer field and stamped his name all over it.
Championship leader Robin Judd led after round 1 with a supercharger launching 5.954 but in the second session Zappia set up the potential for a new national record with a sub record 5.815.
In the final qualifying session it was all high drama with the Karcher and Castrol 57 Chevs not making the cut, Deno Brijeski saving the final few runs from the curfew with a sand trap avoiding ‘hand brakey’ and Ben Bray saving grace for the Castrol team with a last gasp 6.035.
But it was John Zappia who recorded another 5.81 – a 5.818 to be precise which served as a back up to reset the national Top Doorslammer record ro the new mark of 5.815.
Click HERE for Top Dorslammer ladder
Jay Upton Top Qualified in ANDRA Pro Series Top Bike with a 6.544 ET
An intriguing first round match up of ANDRA Pro Series Top Bike was set in motion when Jay Upton top qualified and his arch nemisis in the race to the five second zone qualified on the bump. The Jay Upton – Chris Matheson first round is certain to be an interesting affair!
Click HERE for Top Bike Ladder
Jeff Clarke top qualified in K-Trans Competition Eliminator with a jaw dropping -0.852 under the BB/Dragster lap.
Maurice Brenna was slotted into 2nd place with a -0.716 under the AA/AP effort.
Click HERE for K-Trans Competition qualifying results
Michael ‘Patch’ Frossos change of class from A/Gas Automatic to B/Altered Production Automatic paid dividends when he collected the top qualifiers spot in Pro Auto Serivce Super Stock with a sub index -0.587 7.563.
In second place was Terry Stacy wuith a RR/G effort and South Australian Alex Panagiotisidis F/GA 9.183 (-0.487) qualified 3rd.
Neil ‘Hippy’ Anderson is a real thorn in the side of the Trophy Specialist Competition Bike class, top qualifying with a B/SB 9.102.
The first 4 positions were all held by B/SB class bikes.
With ANDRA Pro Series Top Doorslammer and Top Bike fileds now set for eliminations along with the Rocket Allstar racing Series categories of Competition, Super Stock and Competition Bike, all that remains is for the third and final round of qualifying for the 6 roup 3 categories.
The final Group 3 qualifying sessions commence at 11am today folwoed by the early rounds of Group 3 racing rfom 2pm. Group 2 eliminations commence at 4pm with Top Doorslammer and Top Bikes first rounds starting at 6pm.
The finals for all categories commence at 9:30pm.
Click HERE for Day 1 results
Click HERE for entire ‘352’ entry list.
Click HERE for event schedule
Pictures: PhilLuyer HIGH OCTANE PHOTOS
