Fastlane Magazine - Issue 3

EDITION 3/2013

SARATOGA

ANDRA’S 40 YEAR CELEBRATION

9

TALKING WITH TOP DOORSLAMMER’S LARRIKIN LEADER - PETER KAPIRIS

6

SLAMMIN’ 26 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

OF 12 SECRET SETUPS GO SHOPPING @ 500KPH

www.andrashop.com.au

8

JANUARY 2013

STAGING LANES

4

CONTENTS

8

SARATOGA SLAMMIN’

6

GO SHOPPING AT

500KMH!

9

ANDRA CELEBRATES

40 YEARS

10 PARKER’S

POINT OF VIEW

TRACK

SECRET SPOTLIGHT

THE OF SETUPS

12

ts r o p e R Round el/Top Bike

Fu p o T h t 20 - Per Perth Top Fuel 24 low @ f o r e A 26 - d Raceway Portlan

19

CHAMPIONSHIP

LEADERS

28

>

Double Header FORMAT

Two ANDRA championship drag racing events will feature double header rounds this season with final approval being given from drag racing’s governing body for events at Perth Motorplex and Willowbank Raceway to use the trial format.

The events (the recently run Top Fuel round in Perth and March 29-30 Top Fuel and Top Alcohol at Willowbank) will consist of two independent rounds of the championship on consecutive days, using the three round format (made up of a compulsory qualifying session, an elimination round and finals).

Each day will carry 60% points (excepting

qualifying points which will be allocated at 100%) and prizemoney, meaning a total of a 20% bonus for racers for the same amount of runs, while fans will get to witness more racing and intense oneshot qualifying, providing more entertainment bang for buck.

ANDRA chief executive Malcolm Bulley said the double header events were in the style of V8 Supercars where races are held over multiple days and fans can enjoy both qualifying and racing action in the same day, getting the full scope of entertainment.

“For fans it is going to be an enjoyable experience, knowing they can attend for a day and get a self contained round in its own right with winners on each day and plenty of thrills,” he said.

“For racers it is more racing bang for their own buck in terms of travel expenses and so on. Now they can race for more points and prizemoney and have two shots at a race day for the big logistical effort of shipping a race team around the country.”

Group Two handicaps for 660ft and 1000ft The Group two handicaps for 660 feet and 1000 feet were released in December. You can find them on the ANDRA website under Series > Records/ Indexes.

>

>

staging stagingla

Photography CREDITS 4 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

Return to Melbourne DELAYED The ANDRA championship rounds of Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle for Calder Park in February have been cancelled, due to the recent change in ownership of the history-steeped Melbourne venue.

The short time frame after the recent change in ownership of Calder Park caused a logistical challenge that would have been difficult to overcome in the time available.

ANDRA chief executive Malcolm Bulley said it is only a postponement of the return of ANDRA championship drag racing to Melbourne.

“All of our members and in particular our Victorian base should be aware that we are continuing to work with Calder Park and the relationship remains healthy,” he said.

“ANDRA together with Calder Park management are working towards a strong return on 19-20 October 2013 for the Top Fuel, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle rounds scheduled.”

Although this is a short term set back, the foundations are being laid to ensure a long term return to the venue and the new management has been very supportive of ANDRA championship drag racing.

ANDRA championship drag racing recently made a return to regional Victoria with a highly successful round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland.

Koukides latest 60FOOT WINNER Erin Koukides not only took out the event win in the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at Fuchs South Coast Raceway, but also the 60foot Rising Star Award.

Erin’s best reaction time and dial in package was a .072 in the second round, one of her many great runs to reach the final and take victory.

Erin wins a 60foot prize pack including a hoodie, shirt, hat and stickers thanks to www.60foot.com.

The guys at YBI Creative love to put together a well presented document. And nothing makes it easier than working with the talented photographers who support ANDRA. Here are the photographers that have helped this edition come together: • Dave Reid • Grant Stephens • Joe Maday • Lee Davis • Luke Nieuwhof • Bob Taylor

>

Get well BILL Victorian Division Director Phil Parker wanted to let Victorian Divisional Council member Bill Caris know everyone is thinking about him after he had a bad fall from a ladder and damaged three vertebrae.

“Bill is always helping other people and a lot of times this involves helping drag racers,” Phil said. “He is well respected and liked in the division and although slightly short, he is a giant of a personality and will be well missed while recovering.

“A bit of controversy may arise, when he fell from the ladder he was covered in green paint, so is he now Shrek or the Hulk? This controversy may go on for years.”

ANDRA and its members wish Bill a speedy recovery and Phil requested any people with some spare drag racing DVDs might want to send them him way while he is on the mend.

stag

>

>

anes

CLASSIFIEDS

SUPER SEDAN Holden Camira Full tube chassis, mild steel. Rebuilt two seasons ago. Fibreglass front clip one piece. 565 Reher Morrison BBC 1050 Hp. Two speed Powerglide (Transmission Specialties), very consistent car. Came #1 and #2 in Super Sedan championship in Perth the last two seasons.

Rolling chassis $23,000 Motor $23,000 Or can be supplied ready to run.

Call Sam Gullotto 0400 219 549.

MOTOR Record holder 313 Chevy, built by Patterson USA, nine runs since rebuild, new rods, pistons, crank, cam, lifters, billet intake, dry sump, valves and heads updated.

This motor has gone 7.63 at 177 mph in my car at 7.5 lbs per cubic inch. $35,000 Call Nino Cavallo 0418 999 907.

QR Code EXPERIMENT In this issue of Fastlane we are experimenting with QR codes.

QR codes are like bar codes, but can be scanned using an app on a smart phone. Go to the app store on your phone and search for ‘QR reader’ and many free scanning apps can be found. Or just find the nearest teenager!

Once you scan the QR code using your phone, it will take you through to a linked item, generally a website or video.

We are monitoring how many times the codes get scanned to see if we will continue using them.

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 2004 Shearer Brothers Junior Dragster 125 inch chrome moly chassis, aluminium body panels, butterfly steering wheel, Autometer tach, Hoosier rear slicks, Black Widow billet front wheels, Gaged centrifugal clutch, Briggs & Stratton 210cc engine with billet head, Wiseco piston, Bullet cam, Mikuni flat slide carby, crankshaft support. New piston rings and copper head gasket 15 passes ago. Digatron data logger.

Adjustable pedals and seat. Suit small to medium driver. Current ANDRA tech. Comes with starter and spares. Ready to race. Best 10.70 @ 58mph. Excellent condition.

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAW Dragster Finished runner up in the 2011/12 championship, including winning the Nitro Champs. 245 inch moly chassis, built by the guys at Uyehara.

540 BBC and Powerglide. Everything new at start of last season apart from chassis itself.

Super consistent and runs 6.65s @ 205mph all day, 0.96 sixty foot times. $50,000 turn key Call Jack Danaher 0418 328 256.

$10,000 ONO. Call Peter 03 94592991 or email sheehanauto@msn.com.

FASTLANE I 5

FEATURE

S A R A T O G A

SL AM MM IN’

Top Doorslammer has always attracted its share of entertaining personalities and none moreso than fanatic Victorian drag racer Peter Kapiris.

He carries an enthusiasm for the sport that is infectious and is well known around the pits for his happy go lucky attitude combined with racing talent.

he wanted something fast.

“My passion for drag racing is more than it was 20 years ago and I don’t know why,” he said. “It is shocking. The guys at work know when I’m going racing because they can tell in my personality.

“I had just the normal hotted up street car, driving fast and doing it up,” Kapiris said. “But then I wanted to get something like was in Mad Max. I walked in to (Melbourne car builder) John Taverna’s workshop and said I wanted one of those things with the button in there – I didn’t know how superchargers worked.”

“They know when there is going to be a big break because I’m down in the dumps but in the lead up to a meeting I get all bouncy.”

Of course, Taverna had to break the news to Kapiris that the infamous Mad Max supercharger button wasn’t a reality, but did manage to put together a quick nitrous street car for him.

Kapiris laughs that getting involved with drag racing back in the 1980s was the biggest mistake he’s ever made, setting off a life long addiction to the straight line sport.

“Then John told me about a car he bought from America which was the Chevy Beretta,” he said. “John drove it for a season and then said to me ‘you’re going to start’.”

He admits in those early days he had no idea what he was doing, all he knew was that following a viewing of Mad Max,

This was no longer just a quick street car. The Beretta was a full blown race car capable of being competitive in the BB/G

6 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

class, which was then run under Super Stock.

Kapiris was able to confirm an urban legend about the Beretta. Being young and still very new to race cars, Kapiris was not adverse to showing it off in public areas.

“I drove it to the shop once and I drove it in the market because it was pretty big in there,” he said. “John pulled down the engine and he asked what the f*** has gone on with this engine, the pistons are all hollowed in, and I said I don’t know, I only started it up.

“The time we took it to the shops it was about three blocks away and when I came back there was 20 or 30 people standing out on the street watching it. I quickly realised I couldn’t keep doing this stuff.”

Kapiris still has fond memories of his time in Group Two.

Did you see Peter Kapiris’ WILD CLUTCH EXPLOSION at the Australian Nationals? Scan the QR code to see it!

“Super Stock was fun, it was hard because you were racing cars that could go a second under the index, but it wasn’t so much pressure,” he said. “Top Doorslammers are full on now, in the early days it was a lot easier, now it is hard just to qualify.

“John’s been there for a while now and he is having to pick up his game because he’s not that good at the lights and he is getting beaten on holeshots. And there is nothing worse than getting beaten on a holeshot. If you can run an 80 you’ll beat him if you’re good at the lights.”

“It is like a battle, you used to go to the Nationals and there were eight or 10 cars and now there’s 20 showing up.”

The dangerous part for Kapiris’ opponents is that he is still early in the development curve of the Saratoga he debuted a couple of seasons ago.

Although a stalwart of Top Doorslammer from the start, Kapiris really hit his stride in 2001 when his Studebaker entered something of a twilight zone where everything just clicked. At a time when Robin Judd’s 6.17 was the performance standard, Kapiris dropped it to 6.14 and then a 6.07 in the space of one night. He would go on to win the 2001/2002 title.

“That was the good times, as quick as it came it went away though and we couldn’t get close to it again,” he said. “Top Doorslammer is like that, you have your time. Victor had his, I had mine, Benny had his and now it’s John’s time but he is scared.

“We have still got heaps to go. We have a new clutch sitting there we haven’t tried and a lot of R&D to try with the engine,” he said. “We need to get it more consistent and run low 80s every pass.

“It’s the same old sooky lala but not having a home track kills me, it’s such a big effort to go testing whereas if you had a home track and there is a street meeting you can at least do some launches.

“For me that is a $10-12k exercise each time. John and Robin have been so good because they’re racing every second or third weekend, if we want to do R&D we

hire a track and then have to go and race but because it is such a short time between testing and racing we always have to go back to what we know.”

The Kapiris brand has also become better known around the country thanks to his involvement with Slamfest, making the series happen and taking Top Doorslammer to regional strips around the country.

“It’s a big ask, it’s a full time job and when you’ve already got a normal full time job it is hard,” he said. “The opportunities there are huge, I can’t devote the time that is needed though. It would be good to get it really pushed.

“Apart from the track conditions which keep things interesting it is so much fun, it’s a one day meeting in and out and you go full on for one day then home the next.

The people at the regional tracks are so appreciative.”

FASTLANE I 7

Go shopping at

500kmh!

The ANDRA Shop is now online, letting you purchase from the full range of ANDRA merchandise 24-7.

From stubbie holders to hoodies, it’s all there and it’s all ANDRA! Head to www.andrashop.com.au

ANDRA LAUNCHES 40 TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS Since 1973, ANDRA has been Australian for drag racing.

An organisation of racers for racers, ANDRA continues to ensure safe and fair competition around the country and the promotion of the sport.

announced at the championship dinner in November.

As part of the 40th anniversary, displays of drag racing memorabilia and photos from the last 40 years of Australian drag racing will be conducted at the Nitro Champs, Fuchs Winternationals and Australian Nationals.

The intention of these displays is not just to show just what used to be, but what Australian drag racing has evolved into.

This year ANDRA celebrates its 40th anniversary and a range of activities are planned to recognise both the occasion and the many people who have been and continue to be instrumental to the growth of drag racing in Australia.

Most importantly, ANDRA will begin its Drag Racing Hall of Fame and Life Membership program.

ANDRA is currently seeking any photos and video its members and supporters of the sport may have from across the 40 year history of the organisation. We are also seeking memorabilia items that members may be willing to loan for display, such as old ANDRA paraphernalia.

The ANDRA Drag Racing Hall of Fame has been established to acknowledge those persons who have made significant contributions to all aspects of drag racing, including those who have excelled in drag racing competition, business, history or engineering.

Anyone interested in displaying their older drag cars or bikes, particularly ones which have been retired and may not have seen the light of day for some time and have some historical significance in the sport, are also invited to contact ANDRA if they would be interested in taking part in the displays. Send an email to info@andra.com.au and we will get in touch.

The award will be in partnership with the ANDRA Constitution which provides that a person who has provided lengthy outstanding service to the sport of drag racing and/or the company or its predecessor association may be appointed by a general meeting as an honorary life member of the company.

Other activities set to occur include some special video interviews with historical figures in the sport and a limited edition merchandise range. Racers will also soon start receiving special silver foil 40th anniversary ANDRA stickers with their renewed memberships and licences.

Nominations for the program are now open and available on the ANDRA website. Nominations close on the 30th of June, 2013. The first inductees to the Drag Racing Hall of Fame will be decided on at the ANDRA AGM and

1

9

7

3

-

2

0

1

3 FASTLANE I 9

FEATURE

FROM

POINT OF VIEW CHAMPIONSHIP

Darren Parker has quickly adapted to the challenges of Super Stock and emerged as a regular contender in the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship.

10 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

The B/APA record holder’s stunning Pontiac GXP is basically a “Junior Pro Stock”. Parker, becoming too used to high nine second passes in his former Holden Commodore race car, got looking internationally for a race car and motor. A conversation with Pro Stock legend Peter Ridgeway set him on to the course he has followed until now.

“I liked the technical challenges of racing Group 2 and once that was in my mind there was no stopping me,” Parker said. “I got in touch with Peter Ridgeway and the rest, as they say, is history.

“With Peter’s assistance we had Jerry Haas build a brand new GXP for me and TRE put together a 398ci Pro Stock engine.

“I have always been a GM guy and the latest body style was the GXP. At the time there weren’t any in Australia competing so it was a no brainer.”

The development of the car has been

Want to follow Darren on his 300KMH RIDE? Scan the QR code to get a view from inside!

at times pained though for the committed Victorian. It started with the new engine having bearing issues meaning a rebuild straight away with barely a dyno run completed, then burnt pushrod tips and a spun extension housing bearing in the transmission following its first event.

Fortunately things have been on the improve lately with Parker scoring a runner up in the second round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland in January.

And that is helping keep the passion alive for Parker.

“I love the technical and mechanical aspects of the sport,” he said. “I love tinkering with the car, looking at ways to improve it, making parts for it. I also love the family atmosphere at the track and look forward to my wife and kids spending more time at the track as the kids get older.

“But most of all I guess the speed, adrenalin and risk are what keep us involved in the sport!”

We asked Darren to give us the run down on what it is like driving such a quick race car.

“A run in the car begins off with starting the engine in the car and keen spectators would have noticed we wait until the last second to start the car in order to keep the engine as cool as possible. Excessive idling builds too much heat into the engine,” he said.

“I drive into the burnout box keeping an eye on my crew guys to put me in the right spot with approximately six inches of water remaining in front of the rear tyres. Pump the brake pedal and get over 1100psi of brake line pressure before hitting the line lock then give the engine a small rev to clear any fuel sitting in the manifold. Engage first gear and lift the engine revs up a bit before pushing it harder to around 6000rpm. As soon as the tyres are spinning I shift into second and then third, let the line lock button off and drive forward, keeping the engine rpm under the 8500rpm rev limit and making sure the rear tyres don’t bite on the track and pull the engine down and damage the transmission. I like to get off it before the start line and coast to a stop around the Christmas tree.

“I find reverse and listen to my crew chief (either Matt Ramsay or Paul Rogers) guiding me back, ensuring that I am pointing straight ahead when I drive forward into stage.

Generally I don’t do a wheelie bar adjustment like the Pro Stock guys as I have a different method of ensuring the height on my bars stays correct, although I may check them if I have changed tyres or made another chassis adjustment.

“Into pre-stage and again a quick rev on

the engine to clear any fuel that may have pooled while reversing the car. I reach up and turn the burnout rev limit off and set the data recorder. Edge forward into full stage and engage the transbrake waiting for the tree to start. Once I am in full stage and the transbrake is engaged I lift the engine rpm up to around 2500rpm and as soon as the lights start coming down I hit the gas pedal to the floor watching the bottom light.

“As soon as I see the bottom light come on I let go of the transbrake button and get my hand straight on to the shifter ready for the 1-2 gear change. As I shift manually the shift light comes on pretty early so I make the 1-2 shift, and then the 2-3 shift a couple of seconds later.

“By half track I have reached up to the parachute lever on the top of the roll cage and hit the lever forward to release the chutes as I get to the first timing marker. As I cross the finish line the chutes are on their way out and just after the line I am backing off the gas pedal and at the same time I click the shifter into neutral and wait for the chutes to hit which all happens in around 0.2-0.3 of a second.

“Depending on which track I am depends how hard I am on the brakes to get the car slowed down for the turn off. By now I have either turned the engine and ignition off, or more often than not the engine floods when you get off the gas and stalls on its own. I leave the fan and water pumps on and turn everything else off as I come to a stop down the bottom.”

Of course the fun doesn’t stop on the strip when it comes to drag racing as most of the battle is waged in the pits. Parker thinks he has it relatively easy here compared to the big guys.

“The between round maintenance on my car is a little simpler than a Pro Stock car as I am doing the same engine maintenance of checking valve lash and spring seat pressures, but I don’t have the clutch which needs servicing each pass,” he said. “Once the engine is serviced, the rear tyres rotated and the parachutes packed I get the data out of the RacePak logger and review the last pass and make changes to the setup for the next round of qualifying or racing.

“The final bit of maintenance is getting the engine as cool as possible and I do this by connecting my home made engine cooler to the radiator which circulates refrigerated water through the radiator, heads and block - remembering we like to run these engines as cool as possible. As we get the first call for the next round the engine cooler comes off, the nose goes on the car and we pull out to the staging lanes to have another run!”

While he is happy in Super Stock at present, and from his descriptions it sounds like a lot of fun, Parker says he makes no secret of the fact he wants to eventually compete in Pro Stock.

“I have the car and the engine to be competitive in Pro Stock, all I need is a clutch, five speed manual and some dollars to support the move into the professional ranks,” he said. “I have a great relationship with Pro Stock legend Peter Ridgeway and when I am ready to make the move I will ensure that Peter is part of it.

“For the moment I am happy with the challenges and competitiveness of racing in Super Stock and I am currently working on selling myself and the car to prospective sponsors to assist in making the move to Pro Stock sooner rather than later.”

FASTLANE I 11

FEATURE

THE

SECRET OF SETUPS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR • Michael Marriott raced Pro Stock until the mid nineties.

• Current crew chief of Wayne Daley’s Pro Stock Mopar.

• Engine and chassis tuner for Andrew Katavatis, Katavatis Family B/AA – Australia’s quickest.

• Works with PTS Mazda Rotary, SCM 6 second turbo Lexus, as well as other race cars from Super Sedan, Super Stock, Pro Stock and Top Doorslammer.

• Author of Motorsport Database, a complete database system for drag racing vehicles.

• Owner of Flow Tested Cylinder Heads.

12 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

The science, some would say art, of chassis set up is an area often overlooked by teams, but it can be the key to getting the horsepower to the ground and not only improving times but also safety.

The secrets can be held tight to the chest but we managed to persuade Michael Marriott, the crew chief for Wayne Daley’s Australian Nationals-winning Diamond T Pro Stock team and a consultant on many others, to give ANDRA members some tips that can apply from Super Street to Top Fuel.

I always say that a car only turns left or right for two reasons. Either the driver steers it or the car is turning the tyres (even if only minor spinning) and more weight/traction is being applied to one wheel than the other.

A GOOD STRAIGHT PASS BEGINS BEFORE THE CAR ENTERS THE WATER BOX. Before rolling into the water it is extremely important that there is enough water so as to give one full rotation of water around the tyre.

Often the length of water in the box only allows part of the tyre roll out to be covered. This then means that as the burnout begins the tyre will slip and then grab, often causing the rear wheels to bounce and kick the rear of the car around.

Too much water or sitting in the actual water box will cause excessive water to be trapped in the wheel arch. As the car pulls into stage this water can be seen dripping out and back over the tyres, causing a less than perfect launch.

Come far enough out of the burnout box to avoid the hollows that get worn into it. These hollows are not even and so one rear wheel ends up with more weight on it than the other.

Uneven rear wheel weight cause one tyre to dry quicker than the other, kicking the rear of the car around as the driver tries to drive out of the water.

Bigger more powerful cars such as Top Doorslammers and Top Alcohol and many other classes do a rolling burnout. The burnout gives a good hint as to how the rear weight balance is on the car. If the car struggles to

remain straight in the burnout it is a good indication that one wheel has more load than the other.

If a car struggles to remain straight in the burnout but launches straight it can often be cured by a small adjustment at the front wheels. Winding the front coil spring or adjusting the spindle up or down will increase or decrease the weight at the opposite diagonal rear tyre.

If a car launches left or right immediately after it touches the wheelie bars, but goes down the track straight, a wheelie bar adjustment could be required. When a car launches it rides on the rear tyres and the wheelie bars.

The wheelie bars actually help steer the car.

Dual wheelie bars are often set with stagger on one side, normally the right being lower than the left. The lowest bar touches first and has the most resistance or load on it and tends to steer the car. So if a car is leaving to the right, lowering the right bar will help straighten the leave. The lowest bar steers the car to the opposite side.

If a car launches left or right even when it is not on the wheelie bar a small preload adjustment can help. Preload can be introduced by shorting or lengthening the top right hand four link bar or ladder bar.

By shortening the top right hand four link bar we are trying to pull the diff housing down on the right side, placing more weight on that tyre. Preload is a good thing to look at when a race car is on four corner scales. While on the scales adjust the right hand top bar one flat 1/6 turn at a time and monitor how much the weight changes. But preload is my least favourite method to helping a car launch straight. I always try to run the least amount of preload possible. A good chassis with sway bars doesn’t require very much, if any preload at all. In a modern, well built car, I consider one full flat of preload to be the maximum required.

Most race cars I set up have between zero and half a flat of preload. I do however still use preload as a tuning tool especially when I run a new race car for the first time; I then gradually take it out. Preload can cause binding in a race car suspension which robs power as well as causing other issues.

On the other hand, my favourite tuning aid for a car that does not launch straight is a shock absorber adjustment. Many racers will be surprised to know that even if both shock absorbers are set the same, the reality is they are probably not the same. Shock absorbers tested on a shock absorber dyno often show that a setting on one shock absorber is equal to a different setting on the other shock absorber.

This can be specially true once shocks have done a lot of racing. Any large differences would need to be fixed through revalving.

By adjusting each side individually more

weight can be applied to the tyre that requires a different load. Normally I only go within a few clicks from side to side. The best part about using the shock absorber as a tuning aid is that it only reacts when it is acted upon. The shock absorber is only transferring load when load is being applied. Preload on the other hand is always in the system.

Recently I help helped a Top Doorslammer team that had an issue with the car driving to the left whenever they increased the power in the car. The extra power was simply applying more torque back through the chassis which was changing the load balance on the rear tyres. The adjustments we made were taking half a flat of preload out of the right hand top four link bar (lengthen), raising the right hand side wheelie bar a half inch and softening the compression one click on the right shock absorber. The next pass was a dead straight personal best.

The most difficult cars to fix are ones that are totally unpredictable. These cars will leave one way and then turn opposite on the gear shift and be difficult under brakes. The most important thing before trying to set up any race car is to make sure everything is square in the car. The diff housing must be square to chassis (unless you are going to run rear steer, a topic for another time), all heim joints must be in good order and the chassis must be strong enough for the application.

I was once asked to help a team set up an ill handling car. After spending a full day at their workshop we noticed that as we made adjustments, the balance of the car kept changing dramatically on four corner scales.

We eventually removed the diff housing to find the four link brackets were not square to each other. No amount of track tuning was ever going to fix this problem.

I have made a jig which has adjustable pointers. The base of each pointer is the same size as the ID of the heim joints. Once I know the brackets are square, I like to begin by setting both bottom bars to exactly the same length. Then I square the housing through the wish bone, or track locator.

Another extremely valuable tool is shock absorber potentiometers, from these it is possible to see how far each shock absorber moves. A simple calculation comparing the left rear to the right rear shock absorber movement will determine chassis to diff housing rotation.

This is very valuable when looking at whether a car has adequate rear sway bar control. Too light a sway bar or none at all can be a major factor in race car handling.

I hope this helps make your racing straighter and faster!

Michael Marriot

FASTLANE I 13

CHAMPIONSHIP

Allan Dobson found the limits as the Rapisarda Racing team pushed for big numbers at the Perth Motorplex

STO

TORM

> CHAMPIONSHIP

>

TRACK

Adelaide International Raceway (AIR) was built by Surfers Paradise businessman Keith Williams, who also owned the Surfers Paradise International Raceway and was opened in 1972.

The race track is a multi-purpose facility and can be used in four different configurations but the main attraction at the venue in recent years has been the drag strip.

ANDRA championship drag racing only recently returned to the historic venue and has so far seen great levels of support from spectators and a loyal racer base.

Through the hard work of Rino D’Alfonso and the Racing Onn Promotions team, Adelaide competitors have been given a place they can race at close to home.

Adelaide is in many ways one of the more unique race tracks on the national circuit. It is the only all-bitumen circuit currently on the tour.

Its position close to the ocean ensures some of the best air conditions anywhere in the country.

Spectators have great views with the terraces ramping up from virtually trackside – putting people close to the action. It is part of what enables the venue to build up some of the best atmosphere of any drag strip in the country.

FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT

ADELAIDE

ALIVE! CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2013

> 17 MARCH – AEROFLOW/ROCKET INDUSTRIES STREET MEETING > 20 APRIL – ROCKET INDUSTRIES OUTLAW NITRO FUNNY CARS AND BIG BUCKS SHOOTOUT > 19 MAY – BURNOUT COMPETITION > 2 JUNE – TBA > 10 AUGUST – BURNOUT COMPETITION

The venue held Australia’s first 1000 feet championship race in April 2012, with the smooth but short braking area necessitating a shorter racing distance for vehicles quicker than 7.00 seconds or faster than 200mph.

> 25 AUGUST – STREET MEET

The current 1000 feet track record is a 4.33 held by Phil Lamattina.

> 12-13 OCTOBER – SPRINT AUTO PARTS POWERFEST SA

The venue is located just off Port Wakefield Road in the northern Adelaide suburb of Virginia.

> 21-22 SEPTEMBER – ANDRA SPRINGNATIONALS FEATURING TOP DOORSLAMMER, PRO STOCK, PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE AND THE AEROFLOW SPORTSMAN DRAG RACING SERIES

> 16 NOVEMBER – STREET MEET > 23-24 NOVEMBER – 4, 6 AND ROTARY NATIONALS

FASTLANE I 19

ROUND REPORT

TWICE AS

NICE Mark Sheehan scored his second event win at Perth Motorplex in a row, defeating Phil Lamattina in the final of the third round of the ANDRA Top Fuel championship on December 1.

The decider was a pedalfest between the Sheehan Racing dragster and the Fuchs team, with Sheehan able to recover early and ensure Lamattina remained the bridesmaid for the third straight time.

Lamattina seized both sets of bonus points however and closed the gap to Darren Morgan in the points, with the reigning champion going out in the semis.

In Top Bike Terry Burnett won his first ANDRA event title, defeating Graeme Morell in the final.

Heavy hitters Mark Drew and Chris Porter were denied early as the consistency of Burnett and Morell proved successful.

Shock of the event however was Chris Matheson being unable to attempt even one qualifying pass on his Top Bike as seizing superchargers hampered the team.

RESULTS TOP FUEL Final: Mark Sheehan 5.403/232.55 def Phil Lamattina 5.550/301.00 Top Qualifier: Darren Morgan 4.750 Low ET: Phil Lamattina 4.662 Top Speed: Phil Lamattina 324.90 TOP BIKE Final: Terry Burnett 7.078/188.28 def Graeme Morell 8.353/163.04 Top Qualifier: Mark Drew 6.603 Low ET: Mark Drew 6.603 Top Speed: Mark Drew 212.26

20 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

E

E

MARK SHEEHAN won his second event at the Perth Motorplex

A pensive NATALIE MORGAN helps husband Darren in the staging lanes

TERRY BURNETT found a string of 7.0 times enough to win in Top Bike

GORDON CRAWFORD was licensing his new Nitro Harley

A post event track party proved very successful

Check out the WILD TOP FUEL AND TOP BIKE RIDES as Sheehan and Burnett race to a round win.

NEW!

Lord of the rings

We’ve ditched the lead in champher in preference for “step down” ring construction, so you can locate your nuts in even tighter spots.

LESS TALK MORE TORQUE

Ever wanted more torque at your Ring End? Contact is concentrated on the ats of the fastener, not the corners, giving you more torque where you need it.

Shanks a lot!

Ever been told to”Get a Grip”? Now you can with the new I-Beam Shank that increases strength and torque as the tensioning load is spread over a larger surface area.

Knuckle buster?

There will be far less blood on the workshop oor with 440’s patented Antislip design, featuring a locking groove at the open end of the spanner.

THE RANGE

The Sidchrome 440 Pro Series Combination Spanners are available in 4 different sets and also as individuals.

There are 22 metric sizes ranging from 6mm to 32mm and 19 A/F sizes ranging from ¼” to 1-¼”. www.sidchrome.com.au

youtube.com/SidchromeTV

facebook.com/Sidchrome

Are you reading a friend’s copy of Fastlane or perhaps checking it out online?

WHY NOT BECOME A MEMBER OF ANDRA? Associate Membership costs just $44 and includes the ANDRA rulebook, quarterly Fastlane magazines plus a host of other benefits.

To sign up for membership, head to www.andrashop.com.au today!

COMING

SOON U P C O M I N G

D R A G

R A C I N G

E V E N T S

SANTO’S CRANES SUPER THREE EXTREME DRAG RACE WILLOWBANK RACEWAY - MARCH 29-30 FEATURING TOP FUEL AND TOP ALCOHOL

NITRO CHAMPS

SYDNEY DRAGWAY - MAY 4-5 FEATURING TOP FUEL, TOP DOORSLAMMER, PRO STOCK, TOP ALCOHOL, TOP BIKE, PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

FUCHS WINTERNATIONALS

WILLOWBANK RACEWAY - JUNE 7-10 FEATURING TOP FUEL, TOP DOORSLAMMER, PRO STOCK, TOP ALCOHOL, TOP BIKE, PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

ROUND REPORT

LAMATTI Phil Lamattina took out a championship double at Perth Motorplex as he won both rounds of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series in his Fuchs Top Fuel dragster.

Running the new format for the first time, where two championship rounds are held over two consecutive days, Lamattina proved unstoppable across the weekend.

On day one he defeated Damien Harris in a thrilling final, 4.73sec. to 4.77sec., then faced Harris again the next night and took victory with a slowing 5.49sec. over his tyre smoking opponent.

The win extended the Victorian carrot farmer’s championship lead over second placed Darren Morgan to 43 points.

DAMIEN HARRIS went to two finals on his return.

DARREN MORGAN had traction issues for most of the weekend.

24 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

TERMINAT OR STYLE

Scary onboard footage taken from Mark Sheehan’s start up fire.

INA

LETSTHESILVER BULLETFLY

“It is a lead but it’s only a marginal one, we only have to slip up and Darren could be right on our tail again,” Lamattina said.

For Harris the event was a great send off for his current team and dragster, with the Best Tractor Parts driver moving under the Rapisarda Autosport International banner as of the next championship round.

National champion Darren Morgan went out in the first round of day one, but on day two top qualified and made the consolation final with his K-Trans dragster.

DAMIEN HARRIS went to two finals on his return.

Local hopeful Mark Sheehan, coming off two straight wins at the Motorplex, endured a trying weekend with hurt motors and a bizarre incident during the starting procedure where a fuel line came off, creating a fire and forcing him to shut down the nitro dragster before even getting a chance to make a pass.

Allan Dobson also went through a number of engines as the Rapisarda Racing team pushed for big numbers.

MARK SHEEHAN lights up the night after a rod failure.

ROUND REPORT

Southern

HOSPIT CHAMPIONSHIP

TALITY Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland hosted round two of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship, marking the first time since 2001 that Victoria has hosted a national championship round.

The event went down a treat, with racers full of praise for what is regarded as Australia’s best regional venue.

It was also historic as the first time the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship has been run over an eighth mile distance.

Four national records were broken with Craig Geddes taking both ends of E/AA at 4.706 and 142.83mph and Darren Parker both ends of B/APA at 4.730 and 146.58mph.

Make sure you head to www.youtube.com/andradragracing to check out the video wrap of the event!

Images thanks to Lee Davis/Western Auto Pics.

RESULTS Super Comp: Craig Geddes 4.75 (4.90) def Darren Parker 4.75 (4.90) Competition Bike: Jason Salmon 5.85 (5.64) def Paul Harrison 6.68 (5.98) Supercharged Outlaws: Luke Marsden 4.45 (4.39) def Doina Day 4.51 (4.48) Modified: Kenny Stewart 5.07 (5.04) def Leanne Braggs 4.77 (4.72) Super Sedan: Brett Mathew 6.85 (6.82) def Roc Puccini 5.82 (5.55) Modified Bike: Tony Frost 5.67 (5.55) def Mathew Allan 5.59 (5.48) Super Street: Scott Cleary 7.14 (7.11) def David Bunnik 7.06 (7.00) Junior Dragster: Erin Koukides 8.11 (8.00) def Jake Cartledge NTR (9.10) Super Gas: Kym Oberauer 6.29 (6.30) def Matt Forbes 6.34 (6.30, red light)

2012 / 2013

CHAMPIONS

TOP FUEL

TOP5

CHAMPIONSHIPLEADERBOARD

1

Phil Lamattina

418

2

Darren Morgan

375

3

Mark Sheehan

184

4

Allan Dobson

182

5

Steve Read

149

TOP ALCOHOL

TOP5

1

Gary Phillips

114

2

Rob Pilkington

108

3

Steve Reed

106

4

John Cannuli

105

5

Jon Sting

TOP DOORSLAMMER

85 TOP5

1

Peter Kapiris

160

2

Victor Bray

122

3

John Zappia

118

4

Gary Phillips

91

5

Ben Bray

84

TOP BIKE

TOP5

1

Chris Porter

154

2

Graeme Morell

150

3

Chris Matheson

118

4

Terry Burnett

106

5

Mark Drew

PRO STOCK

78 TOP5

1

Jason Grima

138

2

Aaron Tremayne

106

3

Shane Tucker

104

4

Wayne Daley

103

5

Michael Ali

PRO STOCK M/CYCLE

84 TOP5

1

Luke Crowley

118

2

Lachlan Ireland

82

3

Chris Manera

65

4

Peter Cochrane

63

5

Maurice Allen

47

28 I WWW.ANDRA.COM.AU

LEAD AS AT 12/2/2013

SHIP

DERS

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS TOP5 1 Luke Marsden

120

2 Michael Watkins

100

3 Andrew Hodgson

80

4 Darryl Walford

80

5 Doina Day

80

MODIFIED 1 Craig Baker

120

2 Kenny Stewart

100

3 Tony Littlewood

80

4 Leanne Braggs

80

5 Alan White

60

SUPER SEDAN

CHAMPIONSHIP

COMPETITION

TOP5

TOP5

TOP5

1 Neil Constantinou

100

2 Brett Mathew

100

3 Joe Valenzisi

80

4 Jim Denaro

80

5 Roc Puccini

80

MODIFIED BIKE

TOP5

1 Craig Geddes

190

1 Gavin Dohnt

140

2 Greg Clayton

120

2 Tony Frost

140

3 Wayne Cartledge

120

3 Paul Geerlings

80

4 Jason Maggs

80

4 Mathew Allan

80

5 Mike Nola

80

5 Michael Dwinger

60

SUPER STOCK

TOP5

SUPER STREET

TOP5

1 Jason Simpson

105

1 Carl Taylor

100

2 Darren Parker

90

2 Scott Cleary

100

3 Clint George

80

3 John Kerr

80

4 Daniel Camilleri 5 Les Heintz

70

4 Mark Phillips

80

60

5 David Bunnik

80

COMPETITION BIKE

TOP5

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

TOP5

1 Corey Scholes

170

1 David Roberts

160

2 Paul Harrison

140

2 Toby Austin

140

3 Jason Salmon

120

3 Jake Cartledge

120

80

4 Erin Koukides

100

50

5 Hayley Mackay

80

4 Glenn Northridge 5 Corey Buttigieg

SUPER COMPACT 1 Joe Signorelli 2 Michael Baghdadi 3 Scott Porter 4 Rod Harvey 5 Po Tung

TOP5

SUPER GAS

TOP5

1 Darryl Stephen

120

90

2 Roy Romeo

100

70

3 Matthew Forbes

100

50

4 Kym Oberauer

100

40

5 Simon Isherwood

100

80 FASTLANE I 29

We’re busy preparing for this years FUCHS Winternationals. The biggest drag racing event in the Southern Hemisphere. 600 teams, 4 days, the best racers in the country and in e a c h c a t e g o r y, t h e r e i s o n l y o n e w i n n e r.

I t ’s g o i n g t o b e b r u t a l .

Prepare yourself and make sure you have the lubricant that can handle the challenge.

Ph 1800 1800 13 fuchs.com.au

L U B R I C A N T S .

T E C H N O L O G Y. P E O P L E .

FREE CALL 1800 650 077 www.piranhainsurance.com.au