Fastlane Magazine - Issue 34

EDIT I O N 34

MAY 2022

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION

CHAMPIONEFFORTS Australia’s drag racing community is celebrating 13 new champions.

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STAGING

LANES

2021/2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

8

PERFECT LIGHT2 29

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TECH

TORQUE

24

30

CHAMPIONSHIP

BEST ENGINEERED

POINTS LEADERS

31

36

32

RACER PROFILES

Fastlane is produced by the Australian National Drag Racing Association LTD.

Editor: Amanda Cobb (media@andra.com.au) Design: YBI Creative (www.ybicreative.com.au) Photography: High Octane Photos, Nathan Berridge Photography, Sunraysia Street and Strip Photography, Amber Smims Photography, Automotive Event Images, SPEEDPhotography.

EVENTPS WRAP U

> TWILIGHT NATS > ANDRA GRAND FINAL

ANDRA Staff

Chief Executive Officer: Brett Stevens Business Manager: Jackie Mills Business Development Manager: Jennifer Lingo (Harrison) Licensing and Membership: Kylie Hazelhurst Media & PR Officer: Amanda Cobb Technical Officer: Scott Halfyard

Contact Details

Phone: 08 8271 5355 Fax: 08 8721 6988 Email: info@andra.com.au Street: 11 McInnes St, Ridleyton SA 5008

ANDRA Board

Murray O’Connor (WA) Nathan Peirano (QLD) - Chairman Grant Wilson (SA) Paul Stephen (NSW) Grant Hamon (NT)

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STAGING

LANES

BIG FUNDING FOR SOUTH COAST RACEWAY The South Coast Drag Racing Association, Wimmera Off Street Drag Racing Club and Beat the Heat (Victoria) have all been successful as part of the latest round of funding for Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Motorsport Program.

and it was around 15 years old then! So, it is just going to be fantastic for the club to be able to install this new building and the supporting infrastructure,” SCDRA Secretary, Scott Cleary, said.

The South Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA) in particular will benefit big from this latest round of the program, with the club receiving $428,917.18 for the building and installation of a new modular multi-purpose pavilion at South Coast Raceway, plus associated supporting works.

“We are hopeful that the new building will be installed between January and April of 2023, and we are already in the process of lining everything up now to make that happen.

The funds for the new building are part of the Community Motorsport Program’s Infrastructure Upgrades and Equipment Category latest funding round.

“This funding will be used for the building and installation of a new modular, multi-purpose pavilion for the club and will also support a car parking area, sealing of pit area roads, disability access, solar power and plumbing for this new facility.

“To receive this funding is just amazing for the track. Our current club rooms are very old and in need of replacement – the building was donated when we built the track in 2006

“It has been quite a process to get the grant application together and we were grateful for all the letters of support from different groups that we had as part of that. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us now, and we couldn’t be happier.”

SCDRA President Andrew Smith said the funding was very important for the Portland race track.

“We are over the moon to have received this funding and it is going to make a big difference to the club and what we are working with at the moment – for sure there are exciting times ahead!” Smith said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sport and

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NEW LICENSES

ON OFFER ANDRA is pleased to announce the introduction of new and revised licenses across a number of applications as it seeks to cater for its evolving membership.

Introductory Super Street Licenses and Introductory Unlimited Licenses as well as a new annual ANDRA Off-Street License and Burnout License are all now available, as is a revamped Single Event License.

Direct debit options are available for all of these licenses, as well as the traditional payment methods previously enjoyed.

For the full details and benefits of these offerings, please click here. For further information, please email info@andra.com.au

YOUR PERFORMANCE POWERHOUSE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND Did you know that you can use the Summit Racing app to easily search for auto parts and accessories, shop more than 1.5 million auto and stock replacement parts from your mobile device, view the sale items, connect with the Summit Racing Equipment social media accounts, and read articles from OnAllCylinders.

Recreation Victoria for their support through the Community Motorsports Program.

“I would also like to thank Scott Cleary; he has been working hard on this application for months and we are very thankful for his efforts which have allowed us to secure this funding.”

You can also view your orders, request a catalogue, and even watch Summit Racing Equipment YouTube videos. You can even contact ANDRA for your unique 10% off discount code to use while you shop!

This funding is part of the latest funding round for the Community Motorsport Program’s Infrastructure Upgrades and Equipment Category.

The Community Motorsport Program is part of the Labor Government’s $7.4 million Racing Into a New Era for Motorsport initiative. Motorsport in Victoria supports more than 4,000 jobs and contributes more than $806 million to the Victorian economy. Since 2014, the Government has invested more than $1.1 billion in community sporting infrastructure.

Applications for the fourth and final round of the Motorsport Club Assistance Category of the Program are still open and close on 30 June 2022. For more information about the Community Motorsport Program visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding.

To download the app, go to: Apple App Store: https://apple.co/2tuPOZf Google Play: http://bit.ly/3953d9x

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021/2022

DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONS

Along with our Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and Australian Drag Racing Championship winners (see pages 8-22 of this magazine for more on them), ANDRA is pleased to announce the following competitors have been confirmed as the 2021/2022 Divisional Champions after achieving the highest points for their brackets in their respective divisions: NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

TOTAL

DIVISION

VIC/TAS

TOTAL

DIVISION

TODD KNIGHT

80

TOP SPORTSMAN

CRAIG GEDDES

270

COMPETITION

CHRISTOPHER MOORE

60

MODIFIED

ADRIAN VELLA

100

SUPER STOCK

GARY BAKER*

40

SUPER SEDAN

NATHANIAL MCKAY

40

COMPETITION BIKE

NEVILLE BEYER*

40

SUPER SEDAN

STUART MCBAIN

100

TOP SPORTSMAN

PETER KIRKPATRICK*

40

SUPER SEDAN

TIM STEWART

185

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS

SHAUN BOYER

60

SUPER STREET

CRAIG BAKER

200

MODIFIED

GARY FLATT

100

MODIFIED BIKE

DESMOND JEFFREE

240

SUPER SEDAN

AIDAN ABEL

160

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

DAVID BUNNIK

100

SUPER STREET

SA

TOTAL

DIVISION

SHANE WALKER

105

MODIFIED BIKE

STEVE NORMAN

360

SUPER STOCK

SARAH OSBORNE

180

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

JAKE HAMILTON-MODERATE

40

COMPETITION BIKE

GRAEME SPENCER

180

SUPER GAS

VLADO TURIC

405

TOP SPORTSMAN

WA

TOTAL

DIVISION

MARK HUNT

170

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS

STEVE MARTIN

155

COMPETITION

PETER O'CONNEL

80

MODIFIED

JAMIE CHAISTY

255

SUPER STOCK

PETER TZOKAS

285

SUPER SEDAN

PHILL PATON

355

COMPETITION BIKE

MICHAEL BRIDGES

200

SUPER STREET

ALBY BAKRANICH

340

TOP SPORTSMAN

DEAN GUNSON*

80

MODIFIED BIKE

ALAN MAHNKOPH

255

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS

GREG ORBETI*

80

MODIFIED BIKE

DARRYL TREASURE

295

MODIFIED

COOPER PLUMMER

270

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

MARTIN MIRCO

260

SUPER SEDAN

ROBERT BERGAMIN

60

SUPER GAS

LISA GARBELLINI

360

SUPER STREET

NSW

TOTAL

DIVISION

PAUL NIEUWHOF

255

MODIFIED BIKE

DAVID ROBERTS

60

COMPETITION

BRODIE ZAPPIA

420

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

CARL (CHEVY) TAYLOR

120

SUPER SEDAN

SQ

TOTAL

DIVISION

LUKE GRIFFITHS

180

SUPER STREET

ROB HARRISON

80

MODIFIED BIKE

SEAN RICKETTS

100

MODIFIED BIKE

*Championship tied between these racers and unable to be split.

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AGM OUTCOMES

The Annual General Meeting of the Australian National Drag Racing Association was held at the Mawson Lakes Hotel & Function Centre located at 10 Main Street, Mawson Lakes, SA on Tuesday 19th April 2022.

The formalities of the meeting were conducted following the outline in the Notice of Annual General Meeting sent out to members on the 17th of March.

Prior to the meeting, Peter Kapiris, who had been a director as a casual vacancy since 2016, resigned from the ANDRA Ltd Board.

ANDRA thanks him for his service and his unwavering support of drag racing. ANDRA also welcomed Paul Stephen, Division Director for New South Wales, onto the ANDRA Ltd Board. Paul was elected at a meeting of Division Directors held prior to the AGM. The ANDRA Ltd Board of Directors as at 19 April 2022: • Nathan Peirano – Chairman • Murray O’Connor • Paul Stephen • Grant Hamon • Grant Wilson Two changes to the constitution were also voted on as special business, and unanimously passed. For the full details, please click here.

Following the ANDRA Annual General Meeting, a Special General Meeting was conducted as per the Notice of Meeting sent out to members on the 18th of March 2022.

The Appeal as lodged by Mr D Sperrer was considered by the membership. The decision of the ANDRA Ltd Board was upheld with a reduction to the penalty imposed. ANDRA thanks those members who supplied proxy votes or attended the meeting in person for your input and support.

FREE TO JOIN! LOOKING FOR MEMBER BENEFITS? The ANDRA Member Benefits Program has been created to offer its loyal members the opportunity to receive discounts to products from supporting companies.

By joining the program, your business and products will be promoted to a performance-based target audience.

Participating businesses of the ANDRA Member Benefits Program receive promotion through ANDRA’s database of over 5000 members and race fans, as well as exposure through the ANDRA website and the regular MotorMail email newsletter. This is the perfect platform to launch new products, advertise monthly specials and any other sale promotions you may have.

If you would like more information on the program or want to complete your free registration, please visit www.andra.com.au/directory/andra-memberbenefits-program

Paul Stephen

To view a listing of all ANDRA Member Benefits Program offers, please go to www.andra.com.au/ directory/member-benefits-program-directory

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A CHAMPIO

The EGT ANDRA Grand Finals at the Perth Motorplex provided a perfect conclusion to what has been a hard-fought 2021/2022 championship season for both the competitors of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, and the Australian Drag Racing Championship.

ANDRA congratulates each and every one of the champions, runners-up and all of those who took part in a fantastic season and looks forward to seeing what they have in store for the upcoming 2022/2023 title chases.

Claiming the ultimate reward for their efforts at the end of the season were Daniel Gregorini (Top Doorslammer), Greg Durack (Top Fuel Motorcycle), Graeme Spencer (Super Gas), Brodie Zappia (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Shane Walker (Modified Bike), Lisa Garbellini (Super Street), Peter Tzokas (Super Sedan), Craig Baker (Modified), Tim Stewart (Supercharged Outlaws), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman), Phill Paton (Competition Bike), Steve Norman (Super Stock) and Craig Geddes (Competition).

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ON EFFORT

Proudly awarded as runners-up were John Zappia (Top Doorslammer), Wayne McGuinness (Top Fuel Motorcycle), Colin Griffin (Super Gas), Cooper Plummer (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Gary Flatt (Modified Bike), Paul Garbellini (Super Street), Martin Mirco (Super Sedan), Kenny Stewart (Modified), Mark Hunt (Supercharged Outlaws), Alby Bakranich (Top Sportsman), Gordon Crawford (Competition Bike), Adrian Vella (Super Stock) and David Roberts (Competition).

Receiving special recognition at the end of season celebrations was Vlado Turic, who was awarded not only the Top Sportsman title, but also the coveted John Storm Memorial Trophy.

In this special feature, we hear from each of our 13 Australian Champions.

Photos courtesy of High Octane Photos, Nathan Berridge Photography & Amber Smims Photography

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TOP DOORSLAMMER

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DANIEL GREGORINI HOMETOWN: Bayswater, WA

ADRC CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: JOHN ZAPPIA “As a young kid at Ravenswood, I always loved blown cars and followed (I’m not gonna lie) John Zappia. He was every kids favourite,” Gregorini said.

“I did love Pro Stock cars when I was growing up too but sitting on the hill in the mid-2000s when Top Doorslammer was made a class, well nothing else tops the excitement on the hill when the likes of Zap, Fabietti, Bray and Kapiris came out and did halftrack skids. The crowd would go off and from that moment it was a dream to one day do it myself.

“Winning the title completes my racing career. You always have goals and to win a ANDRA Xmas Tree was the first step and in a highly competitive group one class like Top

Doorslammer, that’s huge in itself. Setting ANDRA records was another goal, and we are the current MPH record holder. But to win a national championship was never one of the goals, as I never thought the little team from Bayswater WA could achieve this!

“Anytime I ever want to stop racing now I, along with my team, can hold our heads up high as we achieved something we never thought was possible. And to stop John’s ten-year streak dominating the class is something no other West Australian has achieved.”

To hear more from Gregorini, please click here

Photo courtesy of Richard Smith

GREG DURACK HOMETOWN: Wellard, WA

ADRC CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: WAYNE MCGUINNESS “Well, I can say it was great winning the National Championship! They are not easy to do, and it was great to claim my first metal Gold Christmas Tree. I did win a Gold wooden plaque one in Darwin in 2013 which was great, but I now prefer the metal ones, so hopefully we can get another sometime,” Durack said.

“I liked all of the events, but the favourite would be the Goldenstates as I won my first Silver Christmas Tree, and also the ANDRA Grand Finals as we had a large field of entrants as with WA opening up again interstate racers came across, so hopefully there will be more of that going forward.

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

“I have always been a bit conservative in pushing the bike too hard too quickly, as I don’t like burning up parts and as I said thrashing between rounds, as that burns up cash and I want to relax as much as I can at the track.

“There is more boost to add yet, which I will now turn up over a couple of meetings, and there is a new set of extreme turbo cams I had made which I reckon will be getting tested about mid-season, so there is more to come, and hopefully I can consistently lower my ETs. I am definitely looking forward to next season.”

To hear more from Durack, please click here

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TOP FUEL MOTORCYCLE

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SUPER GAS

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GRAEME SPENCER HOMETOWN: Diggers Rest, VIC

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Four-time champion

RUNNER-UP: COLIN GRIFFIN “We were worried with how it was going to go but, in the end, it turned out really well and I am the first four-time Super Gas Australian Champion! I am quite happy with that I can tell you that! Hopefully no one will forget, I am going to be telling them all about it,” Spencer laughed.

“It has been a challenging season, we have been wanting to go and wanting to go and then COVID would get in the way, so that slowed us down a little bit, but all in all it came together.

“The last Super Gas event at Mildura’s Sunset Strip was a real highlight, in the elimination rounds we ran three 6.30s in a

row, with the finals round being a perfect 6.300. I was very happy with that. Everyone was being strategic, and I was too. For once, I worked out what they were up to!

So, I planned ahead, and it paid off 100 percent, I wasn’t backing off until they did!

“We will be back for the next season; I will be going everywhere Super Gas does and giving it a go! Hell yeah (I will be going for five)! I am the first four-time Super Gas Australian champion and I want to be the first five-time champion too, so I will definitely be giving it a whirl!”

To hear more from Spencer, please click here

Photo courtesy of Nathan Berridge Photography

BRODIE ZAPPIA HOMETOWN: North Perth, WA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: COOPER PLUMMER “I am still in disbelief! To win the championship – I cannot put into words the way I’m feeling. It makes me feel so relieved knowing the countless hours spent in the garage, the many weekends and Friday afternoons perfecting both myself and the car, the time, effort, and money that it cost my family to travel around Australia for me to be able to compete in the championship, the feeling is insane,” Zappia said.

“The biggest highlight of my season aside from The Grand Final would have to be my win at the 2022 Twilight Nationals. A split-second decision after a third-round loss at the Westernationals meant we had a long drive to Mildura, but it was a no brainer. So, we packed our coaster bus and trailer, and headed across the Nullabor to give me the best chance at

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Championship. The 6000km round trip definitely took its toll, especially with some fuel prices being $2.90/L…but the long hours driving, and the large amount of money spent turned out to be worth it in the end. I came away with Top Qualifier and the Event win, giving me 300 points coming into the Grand Final.

“This title is a true showcase of the hard work and dedication of my parents, my sponsors, and supporters, and I suppose myself, over the last nine seasons. I can’t thank the people around me enough, for believing in me and pushing me to do my best.”

To hear more from Zappia, please click here

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

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MODIFIED BIKE

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SHANE WALKER HOMETOWN: Maddingley, VIC

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Two-time champion

RUNNER-UP: GARY FLATT “To a certain degree yes (it has sunk in), but I’m still pinching myself!” Walker said.

“My first championship was a dream come true last season, but for this one I was under a lot more pressure. To do it back-toback is amazing. “(The secret is) a little bit of perseverance, a bit of self-belief, and a whole lot of LUCK!!

“It won’t change my life, but inside it is very satisfying as it puts me in some pretty elite company, and amongst racers I have looked up to and respected for a long time.

“Modified bike is affordable for us while being a challenging class with some very good racers, so I have no plans to change classes.

“I did say to my wife Monika that win, lose or draw I would play at home in Victoria next season, but we have landed a new sponsor and Mark Hunt has offered us a ride to Darwin and Alice Springs for the first two rounds so it looks like semiretirement has gone out the window!”

To hear more from Walker, please click here

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

LISA GARBELLINI HOMETOWN: Orelia, WA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: PAUL GARBELLINI “It is pretty amazing to be the first husband and wife 1 and 2 in a national championship,” Lisa said.

“I think we always had it in the back of our minds that being 1 and 2 would be cool whichever way it happened. We didn’t think too much about it at the start but once everything started to fall into place, it felt amazing.

“It is definitely a dream come true. I never thought I’d be able to do it, but to be able to achieve it and having Paul (who was also last year’s champion) by my side all the way, there isn’t much else I can ask for.

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

“I think the bragging rights are pretty equal at home, but I do keep reminding him of the order this year! I always like racing against Paul, I believe he makes me a better racer as we both push each other to be more competitive.

“I still can’t believe it has happened, but having number one on the car reminds me every day and puts a smile on my face every time. It is a huge achievement for me to have won it in my first year! It is definitely something ticked off the bucket list.”

To hear more from Garbellini, please click here

SUPER STREET

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SUPER SEDAN

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PETER TZOKAS HOMETOWN: Paralowie, SA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Two-time champion

RUNNER-UP: MARTIN MIRCO “This is our second championship. I won my first, then Martin Mirco took the next two. I paid him back exactly how I told him I would, by coming to Perth, winning the event and winning the championship from him. In all seriousness, Martin is a really tough competitor and good to race against,” Tzokas said.

“We travel a lot of kilometres to win these championships and a lot of people don’t understand what they mean to us. We are Australian champions, no one can take that away from us.

“I missed an event in Portland earlier this season because I work in the mines, and they gave us strict instructions that if we

went to Victoria we weren’t coming back to work. Then the car broke down at the Westernationals and again at Mildura. I came back here for the Grand Final and to win two Christmas trees is a dream come true.

“I will start off with Darwin and Alice Springs next season as that is like a family holiday for us. I am definitely coming back (to Perth) again for the Westernationals.

We will play it by ear as it gets expensive travelling, and we will do what we can.”

To hear more from Tzokas, please click here

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

CRAIG BAKER HOMETOWN: Gowanbrae, VIC

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Three-time champion

RUNNER-UP: KENNY STEWART “It really is magic to have the title. We started off the season knowing we wanted to give it our all, even though we knew it would be tough at times travelling around with the COVID restrictions and everything else,” Baker said.

“As sportsman racers, you generally start planning the season early on and decide which events the finances and annual leave will allow you to attend.

Anyone wanting to have a genuine crack at a Championship knows that you need to come out swinging and get those early points.

“Having the 50 percent travel bonus for Darwin and Alive Springs makes these events even more attractive. We kicked off the season determined to give it

Photo courtesy of Automotive Event Images

everything, but to also make sure that we had as much fun as we could along the way.

“Hurting the motor at Alice Springs was a real downer, but then having that extended break due to Covid lockdowns along with the encouragement from those around me to finish what we’d set out to do inspired me to keep going. I think this season’s achievements are as much a reward to those around me for encouraging me to keep going as what it is personally to take the title – and I can’t thank them enough.”

To hear more from Baker, please click here

MODIFIED

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SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS

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TIM STEWART HOMETOWN: Beaumaris, VIC

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: MARK HUNT “After coming back to drag racing, we ran in Modified for a couple of years with our front engine dragster, but looking at the Supercharged Outlaws it seemed like an exciting class to compete in. There’s nothing like the sound of a supercharged V8 engine!” Stewart said.

“We found ourselves in contention for the championship after the Twilight Nationals in Mildura. At that meeting we hurt the engine and we tried to source parts to repair and take The Stang to Perth.

Unfortunately, this didn’t happen but after the persistence and gracious offer of David Thornton to drive his car, we took the offer up at the last minute and made the trek over.

“It was incredible to come out on top after all the excitement of making the trip and the ups and downs during the meeting. It truly is an incredible honour to have won an ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Australian Championship and to have a Gold Christmas tree in our possession.

“We are now waiting for parts to arrive to repair the Stang and we look forward to competing again in Supercharged Outlaws.

Also, at some point throughout this new season, we hope to debut the new Nitro Funny Car.” To hear more from Stewart, please click here

Photo courtesy of Sunraysia Street and Strip Photogrpahy

VLADO TURIC HOMETOWN: St Peters, SA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: ALBY BAKRANICH “This means everything, it is what we go drag racing all around the country for.

It feels amazing to finally achieve what we have been working towards for so many years. It feels great that our time and effort has paid off, but also pushes us to achieve better for next season by defending our title,” Turic said.

“Our commitment to travel and supporting the sport we love has placed us in a better position for the championship.

“The highlight of our season was probably winning the Twilight Nationals. We had significant problems with our car after our first qualifying but managed to sort the problem. With two first round losses over in Perth leading up, that win took a great

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

TOP SPORTSMAN

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load off of my shoulders going into the Grand Final.

“We are planning to give it another big crack next season to defend our title, but it will be tough with some of the existing great racers coming back who didn’t race due to COVID. “We purchased the car back a few years ago and have done a little testing but the motor was never right. We have done a full rebuild and are testing in May. We will be racing both cars next season – the Nissan S14 and Mustang GT500. We will only be racing the Mustang at a few selected tracks.”

To hear more from Turic, please click here

2021/22 JOHN STORM

MEMORIAL

WINNER

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COMPETITION BIKE

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PHILL PATON HOMETOWN: Thornlie, WA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: First-time champion

RUNNER-UP: GORDON CRAWFORD “While it is great to have picked up the title, it wasn’t a target we had considered at the beginning of the season, so we are super stoked to be able to have taken it home. It is amazing to have some recognition for the work that I, the team and everyone that supports us has put in to get the bike performing faster and safer than ever,” Paton said.

“It’s hard to say which event was my favourite this season but I think I’d have to say the Grand Final meeting at the Perth Motorplex. When you combine the quality facility, the track team, all the racers coming from around the country to compete and the buzz created by Top Fuel and Top Fuel Motorcycle, the place was electric and we were running solid numbers all

weekend, finishing off with a new PB in the final that also brought with it a new track record and both ends of the National record, not to mention the title!

“The highlight for me is that we were able to reset both ends of the DD/CB quartermile record three times each out of three race meetings and both ends of the DD/ CB eighth-mile record in Mildura with zero mechanical or reliability issues. Also racing in Mildura was another highlight, the passionate team out there made the experience a real pleasure.”

To hear more from Paton, please click here

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

STEVE NORMAN HOMETOWN: Whyalla, SA

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Two-time champion

RUNNER-UP: ADRIAN VELLA “The championship is a really special thing to us, especially with the travelling, the commitment from Ryan and Reg and the dollars involved. The second championship is good for all of us involved, as our first one was a few years ago now,” Norman said.

“My favourite event of the season would have to be the Westernationals – that is true for this year and pretty much for every year! It has the best track, staff, management and spectators in the country. I also really love competing at Portland and Mildura on the short tracks as well as it all happens really quick, and you really have to be on your game.

“As far as next season is concerned, hopefully it will be more of the same with

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

more tracks and competitors involved in Super Stock. We have every intention of defending our title. We are planning some changes to the BMW for the upcoming season as well as our end of season usual maintenance program. We are looking forward to racing a bit closer to home with, hopefully, some rounds at Tailem Bend.

“We are confident that the changes we are planning will keep us very competitive in the bracket. It would be excellent to go back-to-back with another championship given the effort Ryan and Reg put in.”

To hear more from Norman, please click here

SUPER STOCK

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COMPETITION

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CRAIG GEDDES HOMETOWN: Miners Rest, VIC

SRESS CHAMPION STATUS: Eight-time champion

RUNNER-UP: DAVID ROBERTS “It is an absolutely amazing feeling to have won another Championship. I still have so much passion and motivation for this amazing sport and even though we have just won this one, I am already looking forward to the next ANDRA/Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series season,” Geddes said.

“To be recognised as Australia’s most successful Sportsman racer is next level and something very difficult to comprehend. I hold so many other racers in high regard and to be respected like them is an honour. Obviously, it is not possible without great support from my family, crew, sponsors, and supporters.

“To be a successful and respected racer is an absolute honour for me as it proves

anyone can do it. I still remember very clearly standing on the fence at Calder Park as a young guy just dreaming about how one day, I want to find a way to have a car and start racing.

“I put most of our success down to having a car that can always run close to the record and being super reliable. I have full faith in the car and crew, knowing we can put up a great fight in any race. Our team also ensures we are having a great time together regardless of what’s happening around us. The success is a by-product of having nice equipment, a positive attitude, being organised and enjoying what we do.”

To hear more from Geddes, please click here

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

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GET ON BOARD WITH ANDRA DRAG RACING!

As a valued ANDRA business partner, you can receive maximum exposure through the ANDRA Drag Racing brand and its events. Your company will be showcased whenever and wherever possible, for example: racers will carry decals representing your logo, trophies will feature your branding, commentators will make reference to your involvement across events and media reports will highlight your involvement.

There is a host of ways you can support ANDRA drag racing, including investment in the following:

> F ASTLANE MAGAZINE ADVERTISING (ONLINE) > R ULE BOOK ADVERTISING (HARD COPY AND ONLINE) > MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM (FREE TO JOIN) > E VENT NAMING RIGHTS (AT SELECT EVENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS) > S PORTSMAN SERIES AND ADRC BRACKET SPONSORSHIP

> FACEBOOK/TWITTER RECOGNITION > OFFICIAL SUPPLIER STATUS > RUNNER-UP TROPHY SPONSOR FOR SPORTSMAN SERIES AND ADRC. > WEBSITE RECOGNITION > ADRC NAMING RIGHTS > MOTOR MAIL FEATURE – MOTOR MAIL IS OUR MEMBERS ONLY NEWSLETTER, CONTACT US TO SEE AN EXAMPLE IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ANDRA MEMBER LOGIN

For more information and to discuss opportunities, contact ANDRA’s Business Development Manager Jennifer Lingo (Harrison) on jennifer.harrison@andra.com.au

Photo courtesy of Outlaw Images.

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TECH

TORQUE GEAR JAMMERS

HOW DIFFERENT DRIVELINE COMBINATIONS AFFECT GEARING SELECTION

Way back when, selecting gearing for a car was simple. If the car had an automatic, whatever ratio was in the transmission was what you used. For a stick car, you could choose between a wideratio and close-ratio gearbox. Out back, it was pretty common to use what the local hot shoe ran, most likely a 4.11:1 ring and pinion. That ratio could make you king of the hill, at least until someone showed up with a car running 4.88:1 gears and could get it to hook up.

The only real criteria was the RPM at which the car crossed the finish line at the strip. If you were sort-of scientific, you would try to set finish line RPM so it was close to your maximum shift point RPM. It is a different world today. Modern tuning takes the engine torque curve, transmission gear ratios, torque converter slippage (and indirectly, converter stall speed), rear axle ratio, and slick rollout dimensions into account as a complete package. Each can have a profound effect upon real-world performance.

The first item to consider is the engine’s torque curve.

A long time ago one of my magazine assignments was to assemble a dozen winning tips from a dozen winning racers. Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins was one of the racers I spoke with. Although The Grump’s exact words escape me, he felt too many racers over-geared their combinations and failed to take engine torque and the actual powerband into consideration. Jenkins believed that in many cases, a wee bit less rear gear could make a given car quicker, faster, more consistent and ultimately, more reliable. This is still good advice for street-strip cars and certain sportsman combinations.

Backing up Jenkins’ advice was an interesting morsel from the late Harold Bettes, who once worked for SuperFlow: the main object in drag racing is to get the car into high gear as quickly as possible. He was saying you should get the engine into the “meat” of the powerband as soon as you can. This way, the car will accelerate out the back door.

With engine torque bands becoming narrower over the years, transmissions with more gears are becoming more common. When the power curve moves up, the band of usable power narrows, hence the need for more gears. In drag racing, three-speed automatics have almost completely replaced Powerglides in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock. That’s also why five-speed manual transmissions have replaced the venerable four-speed in all racing classes where they’re legal.

Using an automatic transmission as the example, racers have long known that a Powerglide spends a considerable amount of time “on the converter,” which means the converter is doing most of the work. Not so much with a three-speed automatic. With these transmissions, more time is actually spent “on the gear.” In the end, less power is wasted due to slippage and more power is applied to the rear wheels.

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This late model Super Modified like this Cavalier and the 1956 Chevy Super Stocker in the intro photo are small block powered.

Both have automatics and fat slicks. But that’s where the similarity ends. The Cavalier will require a far different mix of transmission and rear axle ratio gears to get down the track.

To illustrate this fact, I plugged three very simple automatic transmission combinations into a computer simulation program. The car used was a 2,745-pound door car with a 340 cubic inch engine making 735 horsepower at 8,900 RPM. Operating conditions were SAE “dyno corrected”: • Temperature: 60° F • Elevation: 0 feet/sea level • Humidity: 0% • Barometer Reading: 29.92” The first test used a Powerglide with a 1.98:1 first gear.

The car made a simulated 8.75 second pass at 154.2 MPH. The second test swapped the Powerglide for a Pro Flite with a 2.28:1 first gear and a 1.40:1 second gear.

This generated an 8.63 second pass at 154.9 MPH. The final test used the Jenkins’ “less-could-be-more” approach. By swapping to a 2.40:1 first gear and a 1.45:1 second gear in the Pro Flite and taking gear out of the

The engine combination is part of the gearing puzzle. A large displacement, relatively long stroke engine such as this 565 cubic inch big block can be perfectly happy with something like a stock ratio automatic or a four-speed manual.

rear axle, elapsed time stayed the same, but the speed increased to 155.4 MPH. Engine RPM across the finish line came down from 9,840 RPM to 9,560 RPM. What did I learn? The Powerglide combination spends a good portion of its time trying to scramble back to the maximum power peak of the engine. Meanwhile, the Pro Flite three-speed combinations are accelerating rapidly toward the gear change at the end of the track. At least in these simulations, it goes to show that the Powerglide would be happier with an engine with a wider powerband than the Pro Flite.

Does this mean that Powerglides (and four-speed manual transmissions) are dead? Hardly. There are plenty of situations where the more traditional gear boxes can excel. For example, an engine with a broad, flat torque curve can usually get down the track with far less fuss using fewer gears. Many limited-tyre, “fastest street” cars fit this mould.

Continued over page...

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Rear end gears play a big role in determining how the car will work on the dragstrip. Keep in mind it’s just easy to overgear a car and have it fall flat on its face as it is to have too little gear. For example, that 565 mentioned earlier doesn’t really need a lot of gear. But a small block 302 in a heavy car is a different story.

It’s possible to select any number of different gear ratios with a modern automatic transmission like this Turbo 400 from ATI. Ratios start at 1.6:1 for first gear and go up from there.

The same applies to manual transmissions.

Five- and six-speeds are much more common than they were decades ago and have plenty of gear ratio choices.

Torque converter technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the years. Where higher stall speed converters once slipped considerably, today many prove very tight on hookup. They don’t have to be lock up examples to get there either.

Computer programs such as this COMP Cams DeskTop Drag Racing 5 Simulator can be a big help when determining the right combination for your car. The key is to insure you don’t fudge the numbers – it is easy to get wildly optimistic!

Continued from previous page...

Of course, what happens in a computer simulation might have little to do with what actually happens on the track.

When I did the initial research for this article, I spoke with another old friend, Marv Ripes, former owner of A-1 Racing Automatics, about the real world effects of using a three-speed automatic instead of a two-speed. Marv’s comments proved very interesting and informative: “Your computer simulation wasn’t too far off,” he said.

“Years ago, a racer I know picked up a tenth with a swap from a Powerglide to a three-speed, and that car is similar to the one in your computer test. Of course, not all cars may respond this well, and the improvements really depend upon the combination.

“We’re noticing many racers are beginning to examine the effects of building a engine with a narrow powerband for use with the three-speeds,” Marv continued.

“In essence, those engines with an automatic are much like manual transmission combinations. Another item you should think about is this. Torque converter science with three- speed automatics is a whole new world.

Some racers are now leaving the starting line at peak horsepower with an automatic. That’s 9,000+ RPM. In the past, racers would leave below the power peak and allow the engine to accelerate. Now they’re truly leaving like a stick-shift car. What the racers are doing is creating the “poor man’s slipper clutch.”

“The real opportunity for improvements in automatics will come from reducing internal drag. The three-speed is so efficient, we’ve been able to reduce line pressure, and that will enable us to reduce the size of the bands.

That said, the Powerglide isn’t dead yet. There are plenty of race cars which will work just as well with a two-speed.”

What about manual transmission combinations? The transmission manufacturer or shop needs to know how fast the car will go and what the tyre diameter is.

With that information, they can usually work backward to determine what the rear axle ratio and maximum engine speed should be. Experience will tell them what first gear ratio is required – a peakier engine or an engine with less torque will require more first gear.

At this point, the manufacturer or shop can calculate the balance of transmission ratios. The gear splits and accompanying engine RPM drops should be as equal as possible.

Clever racers will graph out gear ratios and RPM drops for a typical quarter-mile pass. That allows them to use gearing to their advantage on a bad track. Let’s say there’s a bump in the track at the 300-foot mark. If the transmission ratios mean you have to shift at the bump, you can change them to avoid this situation. The car will actually go quicker and faster if you can get over that bump without shifting.

Engine combinations with peaky powerbands and transmissions with more forward gears are here to stay. The key to optimum performance is to consider the engine torque curve, transmission gear ratios, torque converter (or clutch) slippage and stall speed, rear axle ratio, and final tyre rollout dimensions as a complete package. If you do, your car will fly.

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.000 PERFECT LIGHT

2

At March’s Westernationals at the Perth Motorplex, Perfect Lights were set by both Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster’s Lucas Green and Super Sedan’s Martin Mirco.

LUCAS GREEN

MARTIN MIRCO

Lucas Green was also the runner-up for the Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster bracket.

“I had been struggling a bit with my reaction times during qualifying and was only cutting average lights, but the plan was to go a bit conservative in the first round so I actually added .005 into the delay box from my usual setting to play it a bit more safe,” Mirco explained.

“We did allright that weekend, we qualified near the top of the field and had pretty good reactions all weekend, and then we made it to the final,” Green said.

“When I left the line, I felt oooh that could be pretty good, I thought I had done allright, but when I heard I set a perfect light I thought that was pretty interesting, I wouldn’t have thought it was a 000.

“It is the first one I have done, before that I had only done a 002.

“We were definitely pretty happy with that, as we had been concentrating on good reaction times all weekend and to finally get that perfect light and get that pay off was perfect.

“It was a good season, we missed a meeting early which hurt us in the points and if we hadn’t have missed it, I think we could have finished second in the WA Championship points with a first round loss, but we ended up finishing eighth.

“We are definitely looking forward to next season, we might try and change a little bit of stuff in the car and try and get some more consistency.

“I would like to thank my parents and my sister for all of their support and for helping me out throughout the season, all the track staff and ANDRA stewards, and my sponsors: Riverside Mechanical, Cajed Racewear, ACS Sports Images, WA Suspensions, ADR Engines and Scruffy.”

“I was actually a bit surprised that it was .000 light, I did my usual start line routine and with the conservative delay box setting, I certainly wasn’t expecting to cut it that fine. I have run quite a few perfect lights before, but I think it was the first time in an elimination round at a Westernationals event.

“The event overall didn’t really go to plan for me. Like all racers who enter the Westernationals, we went into the event with one eye on winning an ANDRA Gold Christmas tree, but also, I was looking to go a few rounds and try to extend the points lead in the race for the championship, but a break out in the second round put an early end to our weekend unfortunately.

“After finishing as the runner up in the Championship, the plan for next season is to travel again and do as many ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series rounds as possible and try and go one step better and regain the number one spot.

“I would like to thank my wife Laura and daughters Ella and Jenna for all of their support in me travelling the country chasing my dreams. Thanks also to my crew Jason, Ray, Joey, Micky and Danny for their time and effort travelling with me on the road trips; and to my sponsors One Residential, Lost Racing Products, WA Bolts, JD Automotive Repairs & Detailing and Xtreme Auto Detailing. Thanks also to Comp Engines in Adelaide, the Western Australian Drag Racing Association (WADRA), A1 Hi Performance, Final Drive, Dimoff Transmissions and Allfast Converters.”

Photos courtesy of High Octane Photos

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CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS LEADERS TOP DOORSLAMMER

TOTAL

TOP FUEL MOTORCYCLE

TOTAL

DANIEL GREGORINI

466

GREG DURACK

277

JOHN ZAPPIA

387

WAYNE MCGUINNESS

198

STUART MORESBY

270

RICKY WOOD

195

MATHEW ABEL

246

LES HOLDEN

155

KELVIN LYLE

202

CHRIS MATHESON

116

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS LEADERS COMPETITION

TOTAL

CRAIG GEDDES

270

DAVID ROBERTS

TOP SPORTSMAN

TOTAL

SUPER SEDAN

TOTAL

VLADO TURIC

405

PETER TZOKAS

285

BRODIE ZAPPIA

420

60

ALBY BAKRANICH

340

MARTIN MIRCO

260

COOPER PLUMMER

270

STEVE MARTIN*

155

KEVIN MCIVOR

325

DESMOND JEFFREE

240

SARAH OSBORNE

180

NIGEL JOHNSON*

145

LEON DAVIES

190

ALEX GKROIDIS

140

AIDAN ABEL

160

MORENO GULLOTTO*

105

CORY READ

130

CARL (CHEVY) TAYLOR

120

TODD WAGNER

140

SUPER STOCK

TOTAL

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS

STEVE NORMAN

360

TIM STEWART

ADRIAN VELLA

100

MATTHEW FORBES

TOTAL

JR DRAGSTER TOTAL

SUPER STREET

TOTAL

SUPER GAS

185

LISA GARBELLINI

360

GRAEME SPENCER

180

MARK HUNT

170

PAUL GARBELLINI

250

COLIN GRIFFIN

180

60

ROBERT SCERRI

20

GLENN STERKENBURG

215

JASON WILSON

80

JAMIE CHAISTY*

255

ALAN MAHNKOPH*

255

MICHAEL BRIDGES

200

WARREN BULL

40

GRAEME SIMMS*

150

PETER APPLEBY*

225

LUKE GRIFFITHS

180

ROBERT BERGAMIN*

60

COMPETITION BIKE

TOTAL

MODIFIED

TOTAL

MODIFIED BIKE

TOTAL

PHILL PATON

355

CRAIG BAKER

200

SHANE WALKER

105

GORDON CRAWFORD

190

KENNY STEWART

100

GARY FLATT

100

NATHANIAL MCKAY

40

MATT PONTON

100

SEAN RICKETTS

100

ROSS SMITH*

335

BRADLEY HICKS

40

ROB HARRISON

80

TROY THOMPSON*

205

ANTHONY RASCHELLA

20

GORDON CRAWFORD

40

*Ineligible

TOTAL

CLICK HERE OR GO TO ANDRA.COM.AU FOR FULL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

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The Crow Cams Best Engineered award is a specially commissioned trophy presented to the car or motorcycle judged to be the best engineered at either the Australian Nationals, Westernationals and ANDRA Grand Finals. To be eligible, it must have been no more than five years since building or restoration, Australian built and show technical excellence in engineering and detailed presentation.

Crow Cams has long been an enthusiastic supporter of ANDRA drag racing. From driving on the street to racing at the strip, Crow Cams’ valve train technology has you covered with world class performance and reliability.

The Crow Cams product range includes Next Gen Camshafts, Next Gen Stainless Roller Rockers, Next Gen Race Pushrods, Crow Cams Billet Timing Chain Sets, Crow Cam Followers and Crow Cams Hot Rod Camshafts. Also included are Crow Cams Valve Springs and Retainers,

Ford XR6 Turbo Camshaft packages, Next Gen LS V8 Cams, Modular Ford V8 camshafts, Next Gen blower camshafts and more.

Recently, Lindsay Catalano and Mick Wormall have been recognised with this coveted award.

WESTERNATIONALS:LINDSAY CATALANO

“I have had the car for around 35 years in various forms, starting off in Super Sedan for years and then rebuilding the car to have a full chassis in it to run Outlaws and I think we ended up running 6.45, the car was pretty heavy, so we were pretty happy with that. I then decided the car was probably going way too fast for the chassis we had, so we started with the rebuild which took about nine years in between racing Shane’s Studebaker and work and different things and we finally got it finished last year,” Catalano said.

“We didn’t do much racing initially and then when we did, I managed to tag the wall and it took all of the off season to repair it – it was only body damage but that still takes

BEST E time. Now my son has been driving it as my back isn’t as it should be. The car is now running in the 6.1 range – we haven’t done a lot of laps or have a lot of data as yet, but we would like to get it running into the 5.9 area as I think it is capable, so that is our future goal.

“The car was completely built at home with the help of Mik Water Fabrication, Mik and I pretty much built the chassis together and he has had a lot of input into the car along the way, as has my son who has been involved as well in different ways.

“I was very proud for us to win the Crow Cams Best Engineered Award; it was a real honour, and I am very proud not just for me but for everyone that has been involved with the car. As well as Mik and my son, there are a lot of my fellow racers and other people in the sport who have helped me out in various ways, so I think this award is a tribute to all of those people.

“Thank you to Crow Cams for their support of this award. I would also like to thank Kurt Burtling who is my panel beater, the car body is still steel, and he has done a

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ENGINEERED great job on the panel work. Thank you also to my wife and my family for all of their support, to my crew who helps us at the track, to the whole track crew at the Perth Motorplex along with the ambos and firies and everyone else involved – they all do a fantastic job and are great people – and to everyone who has helped us in a thousand different little ways over the years.”

ANDRA GRAND FINALS: MICK WORMALL

“I bought this car when I was 14 years old, and I’m 49 now. I drove it around until I was 27, and did a few runs at Ravenswood with a personal best of 12.2 seconds on the quarter-mile. After that I parked it up for 20 years and got into businesses and family and stuff like that, always aiming to get the car back on the track one day. When I was 47, I pulled it back out and took it to Brodie at Advanced Race Fabrication and told him I wanted to build a 10 second Falcon,” Wormall explained.

“It started off with a four-point roll cage and a shortened nine-inch diff, and during the process it escalated to a complete build minus panel and paint. The car is all

new from the custom strange strut front end to the four-link rear end. We wanted to retain the Falcon originality to a certain extent, so we managed to tie the new fourlink into original rear chassis rails, which is one of my favourite features of the car, making it all work correctly while retaining its heritage. Its PB currently is 8.87 at 148 miles per hour and 1.204 to the 60 foot. Next season we are going to keep it where it is and then if all goes well, we will look to put twin turbos in it and aim for the sevens in the following season.

“Being recognised with the Crow Cams Best Engineered Award has been a real highlight for us, especially after the achievement of just getting it to the track at the end of the season so we are set for the new season.

“The Grand Finals was the car’s first major event, so it was awesome to not only have the car there but then for it to be recognised, especially as one of a huge field of cars that were there and racing. I was totally taken aback to receive the award, it certainly wasn’t something I was expecting.

I am super proud of the car which I have

always loved, but without the support of Brodie, Mark and Damo at Advanced Race Fabrication, the car would have never gotten to this level, so I have to send a big thank you to those guys.

“Thank you also to Crow Cams for supporting this award, to Ray and the Perth Motorplex team for all that they do.

I’d also like to thank Derek Paulik of Paulik Race Engines, Andrew at Street Neat Auto Electrics, Shannon and Moth at Tunecorp, Superoo Falcon Spares, my wife Tina, my son Cain, my mates Paul Preedy, Troy Beattie, Shane Popelier and Robert Davis (Space) for helping me as crew on the car.”

“It is very humbling for the car to receive this award, it takes a lot of effort to be in contention for an award like this so it is a real privilege to be recognised in this fashion,” Brodie added.

For more information about Crow Cams, visit www.crowcams.com.au

Photos courtesy of High Octane Photos

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SIMON GARBUTT MODIFIED BIKE

NAME: SIMON GARBUTT AGE: 32 BASED IN: PERTH, WA OCCUPATION: FLEET MANAGER STARTED RACING: 2013 PERSONAL BESTS: THE 2007 600RR HONDA - 10.88, THE STRETCHED HAYABUSA - 9.115, “RED” GEN 2 HAYABUSA (SHORT WHEEL BASE) - 9.549 FAVOURITE RACETRACK: PERTH MOTORPLEX SPONSORS: SAVAGE MOTORCYCLES, J-MAC MEDIA, POWER ON PLANT HIRE, CONSOLIDATED GROUP. FAVOURITE RACE VEHICLE: BAD INFLUENCE OWNED BY CLIVE HUDSON FAVOURITE TV SHOW: SHAMELESS FAVOURITE FOOD: LASAGNE

How did you get into drag racing in general, and Modified Bike in particular?

I started quarter-mile racing at Whoopass Wednesday events at the Perth Motorplex back in 2013. This was continued until we started racing with ANDRA in 2019 at the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series rounds. After some six years of lapping the 2007 600rr Honda at the track, we decided we wanted to try and compete. Daniel Natalotto from Street Bike Drag School gave me the push I needed to enter and step up from running on Wednesday nights. Derek, who many at the track will know as Rob Good’s mechanic, assisted me in purchasing a second generation Hayabusa in great condition to step into the Modified Bike class under A/MB. Dan also took the time off of the track to show me through the rule book and documents needed to compete. I still remember sitting in his lounge quizzing everything I didn’t quite grasp to get going with ANDRA. On my first outing to an ANDRA sanctioned event, Dan and his crew also helped me through the day showing me the basics once again.

How was the 2021/2022 season for you?

Our 2021/2022 season started off extremely rocky. Part delays caused by the pandemic paused the engine build of our stretched Hayabusa. At a few stages, it looked as if I was just not meant to compete this season.

I decided near the start of the season that the Honda would be the bike to start the season on, and I would finish the season on the Hayabusa.

I did this as planned, except we ended up purchasing another Hayabusa to finish the season on after further delays with our first. All up it was a fantastic season which included winning two Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series rounds at the Perth Motorplex. I finished runner up in the WA Series, and as runner up in the Fast Series at the Motorplex with a win of one Fast Event. I also managed to complete over 108 passes on the newly purchased bike in just four months. I put in the seat time and was extremely glad to see the results from it.

You took two Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series victories this season, what do those wins mean to you and what do you think is the secret to your success?

In only our third year of racing at this level, I feel privileged to ride amongst such other greats in the field, young and old. Success at these events comes back to the hard work and seat time I put in to make the laps down the track. I can be found in the garage after most events checking over the bikes and looking for improvements before the next event. We are extremely privileged to have two trophies to two different bikes in the garage.

Who do you want to thank?

This would be a great time to thank my wife Lauren Garbutt for all the support on and off the track and the late-night madness in the garage that she puts up with. Thank you also to my crew throughout the season assisting to get the bike on track each event. Thanks to Derek, Daniel Natalotto, Rob Good, Paul De Klerk, Luke Seaton, Leisa, Jarrod Maclean, Zoe Scarlett and Chris Fryer for their ongoing support. We would like to thank our sponsors Savage Motorcycles, J-Mac Media, Power on Plant Hire, Consolidated Group. And once again, thank you to Ray Treasure, the track crew and the officials – nothing that we achieved this season would be possible without the efforts of the Perth Motorplex staff and crew.

I also want to note that my Father, Mark Garbutt, taught me the basics of a car when I was younger. These skills then transferred over to motorcycles in my late teen years. There have been many conversations around the dinner table about the race bikes, especially when things are not going to plan. As much as these conversations seem small to him, he has been a big support in my racing and preparation off the track of the bikes. So, thank you Dad for your help and assistance, for teaching me the basic skills that have progressed me to where I am today, even though I know you hate your son going that fast.

Photo courtesy of High Octane Photos

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TODD WAGNER SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT JUNIOR DRAGSTER

NAME: TODD WAGNER

What is it you love about Junior Dragster racing?

The fun, hanging with other kids, and travelling to other tracks.

AGE: 11

You were the runner-up at the 2021 South Coast Nationals – tell us about that event and how you felt about the result.

HOMETOWN: MILDURA

It was fun and exciting. The close race was cool. and I was very happy with the result.

STARTED RACING: AGED 8 IN 2019 PERSONAL BESTS: A WIN AT THE MILDURA TOP FUEL EVENT AND RUNNER UP AT THE 2022 SOUTH COAST NATIONALS

You were in the top five of the championship standings by season’s end – how do you feel about that?

It was a great result. I would have liked to travel more, but the COVID stuff stopped us travelling. If I can get mum and dad to agree, it definitely would be great to race at all the different tracks and see how we go in the championship.

What has been your top highlights of your ANDRA racing so far?

Winning the Top Fuel event at Mildura, being the runner-up at the South Coast Nationals in Portland, being part of the Junior Nationals at Mildura, and racing at Sydney in the Top Fuel event in January.

SPONSORS: A.D ROGERS VINEYARD CONTRACTING, SUNRAYSIA SANDS, AUDIOSOUND, DUCTMAKERS MILDURA, MICK’S MOTORCYCLES MILDURA, MALLEE CUSTOM WRAPS, MUM AND DAD.

We hear you have had an engine upgrade since the season ended – tell us about that

FAVOURITE RACE VEHICLE: JUNIORS

What future goals do you hold for yourself in your racing, and also away from the track?

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: LEGO MASTERS, NINJA WARRIOR AND THE VOICE FAVOURITE FOOD: CRUMBED CUTLETS FAVOURITE ANDRA RACETRACK: SUNSET STRIP MILDURA

Yes, I have just gotten a B engine and we can’t wait to get on track with it for the first time at Mildura on the 4th of June – I can’t wait to go super-fast!

What was your favourite event of the 2021/2022 season and why?

The Top Fuel event at Mildura was an awesome event and I won. I was disappointed the Junior Nationals had to be cancelled, but I can’t wait for this year’s event.

To win a ANDRA Christmas Tree. Also, when I am old enough, I am going to jump in my mum’s car, a front engine dragster – if she lets me! I haven’t decided yet what I want to do when I am older, I do know that I want to race though.

Who do you want to thank?

I want to thank Mum and Dad, our crew Matthew Arthur, Jorja Arthur, and Chelsea Sammut, and I want to send a special shout out to Carolyn Milics and also our pit family, the Kuchels and Trevor and Kim Box. I also want to mention Brodie Zappia and his team – we purchased the car from Brodie, and we can’t thank him enough for all of the support and help. They are always happy to answer the phone and give advice, but I am looking forward to a rematch one day!

Photo courtesy of SPEEDPhotography

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Behind the Wheel with Jr. Dragster Racer Ross Lamattina “I love going fast and want to win a Jr. Dragster championship. Racing is cool, but it’s really great to meet new people.”

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T H G I L I TW

NATS

The Twilight Nationals at Mildura’s Sunset Strip set the stage for an epic final battle as the penultimate round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series.

The Twilight Nationals at Mildura’s Sunset Strip set the stage for an epic final battle as the penultimate round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series.

Making the most of the March 1819 event hosted by the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association were the following racers, who each secured the ANDRA Christmas Tree Trophy for their respective brackets: Graeme Spencer (Super Gas), Brodie Zappia (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Tex Griffiths (Super Street), Greg Oberti (Modified Bike), Graeme Cooper (Super Sedan), Matt Ponton (Modified), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman), David Thornton (Supercharged Outlaws), Phill Paton (Competition Bike) and Adrian Vella (Super Comp).

Also celebrated at the end-of-night presentations were runners-up Colin Griffin (Super Gas), Sarah Osborne (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Paul Jennings (Super Street), Shane Walker (Modified Bike), Lance Larcombe (Super Sedan), Pete O’Connell (Modified), Stuart McBain (Top Sportsman), Vince Monteleone (Supercharged Outlaws), Gordon Crawford (Competition Bike) and Craig Geddes (Super Comp).

In Supercharged Outlaws, Vince Monteleone assured his place in the final by taking victories from Mark Hunt (round one) and Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier Medallion winner Tim Stewart, while David Thornton – who wasn’t even planning to race at this event

until the last minute – had taken on and defeated Shaun Kerkman before benefiting from a bye run in the semi-final. It was an exciting final run between the pair, with Thornton taking out the victory after a hardfought pass for both competitors.

In Modified, Matt Ponton and Pete O’Connell did battle in the final with Ponton taking out the win after a great run in the final. O’Connell had earlier dispatched the Top Qualifier Kenny Stewart in the first round before taking a bye in the second round, while Ponton had emerged victorious from matchups against Kris Wilson and Jodie Wagner.

In Super Comp, Adrian Vella ran through for the victory from a redlighting Top Qualifier Craig Geddes.

Geddes had earlier dispatched Louis Svingos in the opening round before enjoying a bye in his semi, while Vella had taken on David Roberts (round one) and Matt Forbes to earn his place in the final.

In Top Sportsman, Stuart McBain turned his Top Qualifying performance

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into a finals berth thanks to a bye in the opening round and a victory over Kevin McIvor, but it wasn’t enough with his finals opponent Vlado Turic taking out the event victory following earlier wins from Nicole Theo and Alby Bakranich.

In Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster, Top Qualifier Brodie Zappia went all the way to the final to take the win, taking on Sarah Osborne in a great match-up that went all the way to the line. Zappia had earlier emerged victorious from battles against Sophia Kuchel (round one) and Todd Wagner (round three) with a bye in round two, while Osborne had successfully taken on Nathaniel Kuchel and Cooper Plummer before enjoying her own bye run in the semi-final.

Super Street Top Qualifier Tex Griffiths took it all the way to take the event victory, booking himself a place in the final with wins over Julian Semmler (round one) and Rocky Caminiti (round three) with a bye in round two, while his rival

Paul Jennings had faced off against Domenic Lanciana, Dutchy Holland and Deb O’Connell on his way to the final stand of the event.

On two-wheels, the Modified Bike and Competition Bike categories were run with a three-round shootout format.

In Super Gas, it was a popular final match-up between Colin Griffin and Graeme Spencer. Griffin had taken on Warren Bull and Top Qualifier Rob Bergiman on his way to the end game, but Spencer had a bit more in the tank in the final and took out the victory after having snatched an opening round win from Jason Wilson ahead of a bye in the semi.

In Modified Bike, Top Qualifier Shane Walker and Greg Oberti lined up against each other in the final with Oberti ultimately taking out the big trophy; while in Competition Bike, Top Qualifier Phill Paton and Gordon Crawford were set to do battle in the final, however issues for Crawford saw him unable to contest the final pass, leaving Paton to take the victory.

In Super Sedan, Lance Larcombe and Graeme Cooper went all the way to the final, with the ‘Brickie’ ultimately taking out the big trophy.

Larcombe had earlier defeated Vince Arena (round one), Michael Rouhan, Chris Farrugia and Benny Phillips while Cooper and his ’The Bricklayer’ station wagon had triumphed over Mick Piscioneri, Rob Evans and Charles Pitt ahead of a semi-final bye.

For more detail on this event, including post-event interviews with David Thornton, Adrian Vella, Matt Ponton and Vlado Turic, please click here.

For full results from the Twilight Nationals, please click here.

Photos thanks to Nathan Berridge Photography and Sunraysia Street and Strip Photography

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ANDRANAL I F D N GRA

The final rounds of the 2021/2022 Australian Drag Racing Championship and the 2021/2022 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series delivered no shortage of excitement at the Perth Motorplex across April 8/9 at the season-ending EGT ANDRA Grand Finals event.

While the Friday night’s running was shortened due to the weather, the rain could put no damper on the spirits of the racers, officials and fans determined to enjoy a brilliant weekend of racing and enjoy they did, with a Saturday program bursting at the seams with racing ensuring there were plenty of smiles around the race track come the end of the event.

Following an epic day of final battles, the season champions and event winners were heralded with plenty of ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies being handed out alongside the prestigious John Storm Memorial Trophy.

In Top Doorslammer, Daniel Gregorini claimed his maiden Australian title over ten-time ANDRA champion John Zappia, with Zappia forced to officially concede victory to Gregorini – who also claimed the Crow Cams Australia Top Qualifier Award presented by Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks – when he carried the wheels off the start and scraped the wall in his first-round match-up against eventual event winner Stuart Moresby, who defeated Mark Chapman in the final.

Moresby also took a race win against Pino Priolo on his way to the final, while

Chapman dispatched Marty Dack in round one before taking a victory of the new champion in the semi-final.

In Top Fuel Motorcycle, Greg Durack was confirmed as the title winner when his title rival Ricky Wood was unfortunately unable to contest the first round with issues with his bike seeing it pushed away from the startline, leaving Wayne McGuinness – the winner of the Crow Cams Australia Top Qualifier Award presented by Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks – on a solo pass. While taking out the title, Durack would miss out on the event win, being dispatched in the semi by a hard-charging Chris Matheson who came agonisingly close to the first five second pass at 6.009 seconds and went on to take the event victory with a solo pass when Wayne McGuiness was unable to front for the final. While he wasn’t able to compete for the event win, McGuinness’ runner-up position plus the all-important points he garnered for being the Top Qualifier allowed him to leap-frog Wood for second place by just three points.

Brodie Zappia went all the way to the Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster final, while title runner-up

and Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier Cooper Plummer was forced to concede the victory when defeated in the second round by Jett Martin. Zappia faced off against Tahlia Martin in the final, ultimately taking out the event victory to ensure his hands were full at the presentations. On his way to the final, Zappia took on Ross Lamattina, Angel Bakranich and Brock Moresby before enjoying a bye in the semis, while Tahlia Martin had defeated Isaac Adamos and Lucas Green ahead of a bye in round three and a victory of Zara Board in the semi.

Shane Walker travelled all the way from Victoria to ensure he could claim backto-back Modified Bike titles, and while he wouldn’t progress past the second round of racing, it was enough to claim the big trophy once again. Simon Garbutt took the event victory over David Waters, with Garbutt earlier facing off against Brett Allen and Natasha Hayden in the opening two rounds ahead of a third-round bye, before he dispatched Top Qualifier Paul Nieuwhof in the semis. Waters meanwhile had taken on Brian Hotker, Owen Rose and Wayne Gummow – who defeated Walker in round two – before a bye in the semi-final.

In Super Street, Lisa Garbellini and her husband Paul Garbellini had a lot to celebrate, with Lisa taking out the championship honours in Super Street while Paul came home as the championship runner-up. Adding to Lisa’s bragging rights at home also is the fact that Paul was the defending champion heading into the Grand Final.

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Following a convincing performance across the season, Lisa Garbellini was able to clinch the title despite a third round lose. Top Qualifier Stephanie Gullotto went on to claim the event victory over runner-up Jeff Thurley. On their way to the final, Gullotto enjoyed a bye run in the first round ahead of victories against Andy Oorschot, Denise Downe and Paul Garbellini while Thurley had successfully taken on Graham Smith and Rod Zuidema before a round three bye and a win over Jacob Mills in the semis.

In Super Sedan, Peter Tzokas robbed Martin Mirco of a title hat-trick, defeating him in the second round to claim his second national ANDRA title before also claiming the event win over Steve Hunt in the final. On his way to the final, Tzokas did battle with Stuart Moorhouse, Mirco and Des Jeffree – who defeated Top Qualifier John Kouw in the second round – while Hunt had taken on Matt Gullotto, Jodi Thorstensen and Luke Guppy.

Taking the Modified event victory was Darryl Treasure, who won over Jeff Acton after taking earlier wins over Top Qualifier Andrew Frost and Nick Gardiner, while Acton went to the final following victories from Kasey McClure and Rachel Gannaway. Craig Baker wasn’t on-site in Perth, but thanks to his other performances across the season he was still awarded his third Modified Australian Championship, claiming the win over last year’s champion, Kenny Stewart.

In Supercharged Outlaws, Tim Stewart took up a kind offer from a fellow

competitor to ensure he was still in the running for the championship, and despite a first-round loss to eventual event winner, Peter Appleby, you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as it all paid off and he claimed his maiden Supercharged Outlaws title, while also running personal best times for the car he was racing across the weekend.

Appleby went on to race Allan Mahnkoph before taking on Jon Ferguson in the final, who had earlier emerged victorious from battles against Mark Hunt – ensuring him title runner-up status – and Top Qualifier, Vince Belladonna.

In Top Sportsman, Vlado Turic enjoyed a very successful weekend in Perth, claiming the John Storm Memorial Trophy, his maiden Top Sportsman title, and the event runner-up honours (on a break-out) to have his hands very full at the end of day presentations. When Turic ran through the beams too fast in the final run of the night, he handed the victory to Top Qualifier Colin Davis, but there is no doubting that Turic was a class act all weekend long. On his way to the final, Vlado had earlier defeated Yvette Gregg and his title rival, Alby Bakranich, while Davis had taken on title contender Kevin McIvor in the first round before a bye in the semis.

In Competition Bike, Phill Paton held on to secure his first national championship victory, claiming the title over Gordon Crawford after a big season. He also took his campaign all the way to the final, walking away with the event runnerup honours to event winner and Top Qualifier, Ross Smith.

In Super Stock, last year’s championship runner-up Steve Norman raced through for his second Super Stock title, claiming the victory from Adrian Vella despite a second round lose to event runner-up Todd Stacy. Stacy had earlier dispatched Robert Gaikhorst in round one, while event winner Jamie Chaisty booked his spot in the final after taking a win over Top Qualifier Errol Quartermaine to earn a bye in his semi-final.

In the Competition ranks, Craig Geddes ensured he took out his eighth Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Australian Championship, and his sixth in a row, in style by not only claiming the title, but also the event win and the Top Qualifying honours. With his title victory, Geddes is arguably the most successful ANDRA sportsman racer in history.

Geddes had a solo run in the finals, with no runner-up awarded as Ian Brown was unable to front for his semi-final solo pass, leaving Geddes without an opponent in the final. Geddes had earlier taken on Brett Glover in the first round ahead of a round two bye, and a win over Nigel Johnson in the semi-final.

For more on the EGT ANDRA Grand Finals, including quotes from all of the event winners and championship winners, please click here, here, here and here.

For full results from the ANDRA Grand Finals, please click here.

Photos courtesy of High Octane Photos

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