One of the most weather cursed events on the Aus drag racing calender would have to be the Summernationals. Its has been 5 years from memory since the event has been run in its entirity over the full 2 days. Maybe it's just me, but i think it's wierd to have the words 'Summer' & 'Rain' together, maybe they should change the name to the Wetnhumid Nationals instead...We did at least get through most of a days racing, with 2 rounds of qualifying for the Grp 2-4, and the first round of Grp 1, but only jusst. Its was not long after the Top Fuelers got the first passes done and dusted, that the heavens opened up and threw down one of the biggest down pours i have been in for a while now. Within about 15 mins, there was a river of water almost 3" deep running through the pit area, that later turned into a river of mud as the dirt washed off the hills surrounding the area. It was not fun being stuck down the back under a almost collapsing GAS Motorsport tent for over an hour before it calmed down enough for me to run back to the media room and not get my gear soaked. But lets get down to business...
A highlight of the day, at least for sport compact fans was the 2nd exabition run for the new Group 1 ProFX class, and the first for Sydney Dragway spectators. It has taken a lot of time and effort to make this happen, and to finally see SC cars running in the same class as the fastest drag cars in the country, Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcahol , Pro Stock and now ProFX. A nice showing of high tech turbo muscle made their present felt with cars running in the class for this event.
Teams racing in the exabition included GAS Motorsport with the GAS Celica, driven by Joe Signorelli, and the new Scion pioloted by Ben Bray
Craig Dyson in his freshly painted Celica, which looked to be on a mission before things got a bit skatey and the car viered toward the opposite lane at half track.
Malcom Glassett in the Hurricane Solara
Tony Wedlock in the TRD Aurion
and Rockey Rehayem in the Pac Performance Mazda6, currently the only non 2JZ powered car in the class.
and Mark Jacobson in the off tap Godzilla Motorsports R32 GTR. Now both of these guys no how to put on a show, with huuge burnouts and tonnes of smoke that almost blocks the sun... No wonder mother nature hates us...
Johnny Critos, aka MRROTA ran hard as always putting on a good show for the spectators in the JCRacing R100.
Sam Sadek and his mean coupe will be one to watch this year. With Ivan Scaramucha's sedan having a small break after the slight incident with the wall at the recent NZ nats, will the Godfather push to take the #1 RX3 spot... Only time will tell.
And a big surprise from the Pac Performance crew was the return of the always stunning Pac 626 with George Rehayem behind the wheel. The sight and sound of the big 20B is music to any rotor heads ears and down trackside it was like it never left. After a issue on the startline for the first qualifying run, the team came out for the second round and launched hard for a nice 7.35@187mph. Hoping to see the car out again soon, and cant wait to see a side by side Pac 6/626 pass.
Super Sedan usually has a good amount of SC cars but we only saw a few enter for this event. the Soprano's R100 owned/driven by brothers Jason & Victor Acuri, looked like it was going to start ripping heli's in the burnout box before pulling a big wheels up trans-brake launch for a solid 8.79@152mph
The East Coast Bodyworks RX7, driven by Moustafa Sakina strugles to cut a clean pass, with 500+rwh and a 26x8.5 tyre, its not hard to understand why. Musa doesnt back off the throttle though which makes for some exciting passes.
Peter Pisalidis and his ProCharger HB Torana putting on a show. i could only imagine the torque that goes through that little chassis....
Kit Hunter's VL is a stunner, and an animal on the track capable of mid 9's @ almost 140mph
This tuff VR/VS commodore, driven by owner Jim Loannidis and runs a very angry 308 thats good for mid 9's and is the current ANDRA Super Stock B/MSA national Record holder .
Carlo Luisi had the Goodyears biting down hard out of the hole.
Rodney Spannerburg representing Sport Compact in Super Gas.
Maroi Polito's ITSBAK GT sounded very strong and had no issues lifting the wheels...
The Deno's Racing Camaro got a bit sideways in the burnout but didnt back off any, thats what we like to see!
but unlike the Deno's car, this Camero was un-able to keep off the wall when it stepped out just passed the 60' . Only suffering a small amount of dammage it did makethe other photogs jump back pretty quickly....
Mike Janis put a few scratches on the new paint work after he to came into contact with the Sydney Dragway barrier. back to the panel shop for 'Wild Willy'
This meet was also a special one for me personally. I got to witness my first sub 5sec 1/4mile pass, well 2 actually. The fastest pass of the day went to the FUCHS Fueller driven by Phillip Lamattina, with a amazing 4.81@286mph. Definatly got the blood pumping thats for sure!!
Well that about covers it for the short Summernationals highlights from me. Full image gallery is up on the website http://www.jngimages.com/ .
Next event should be next weeks Full Throttle Friday and also the Sydney Power Cruise from Eastern Creek Raceway. If you can, make sure you get down there and check it out. You will not get to see some of the toughest street, track and drag cars cruising around like this anywhere else. Its definatly a unique event. For more info see the website http://www.powercruise.com/?site=sydney
Jason
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