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AUSSIES ON TOP IN FUNNY CAR DUEL

17. January 2010

A record breaking 320mph/513kmh pass by Australian Damien Harris, was the highlight as Australia came out on top of the USA vs AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge at Queensland's Willowbank Raceway. Harris saved the best till last with the new speed record being set in very last run of Nitro Funny Car for the night, which also saw the West Australian alongside Queenslander Ricky Steffens set the quickest Nitro Funny Car side-by side-pass for Australia as well. Harris’ 320.66mph at 4.868 second effort combined with Steffens’ 5.164s pass – a new personal best for the driver – to better the previous side-by side-mark (also featuring Harris alongside fellow West Australian Mark Sheehan in Perth on Boxing Day) by seven one thousandths of a second. “The speed record hasn’t really sunk in as yet to be honest, the guys came on the radio to tell me what had happened while I was slowing down and I was concentrating on the car and things, and it just hasn’t sunk in,” said Harris, who also won the first round on January 2.

NHRA GOES GLOBAL: TODAY POMONA TOMORROW THE WORLD!

17. January 2010

US Drag Racing sanctioning body the NHRA have signalled its intention to spread it's brand worldwide with the announcement of NHRA Worldwide Network. The new program will enable drag racing facilities around the world to conduct events under the NHRA banner. By becoming a part of the NHRA Worldwide Network, a facility will be able to use the specially-designed “Worldwide Drag Racing” NHRA oval for broad promotional purposes and will be able to draw on NHRA’s decades of experience and history. “We have been receiving many inquiries regarding how facilities outside of North America can become affiliated with NHRA,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “NHRA Worldwide Network provides drag racing facilities around the globe with unique benefits and identification with NHRA.”

AUSSIES ON TOP IN FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE

3. January 2010

Australian Funny Car driver Damien Harris came out on top in the opening round of the USA vs AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge at Queensland's Willowbank Raceway. The challenge is part of the two-round International New Year Drag Racing Series with Harris and fellow Aussie Ricky Steffens taking on American Jack Wyatt. Harris was clearly the star of the evening with a series of strong runs highlighted by a 4.968s at over 300mph on his first run of the evening, the first 300mph Nitro Funny Car pass by an Aussie racer at the track. Steffens was also strong with two full passes with a five (5.768s at 186.59mph) and six second pass (6.520s at 148.87mph) for the Regency Downs racer. Wyatt struggled with set up all night , running a 7.150 at 155.74mph and a 7.049 at 126.67mph after having to lift off the pedal at intervals during both runs. “We just kept smoking the tyres and also struggled a bit with the tune up, but we think we know what the issue is now and are confident we will be on the pace come January 16,” he said....

MELBOURNE’S NEW DRAG STRIP ? 4 LANES, NO WAITING

11. December 2009

After almost a decade in the Drag racing wilderness, details have been released of an ambitious project to build a brand new dedicated Drag Racing facility for Melbourne. According to a media release from ANDRA (The Australian National Drag Racing Association) a group calling itself "Motorvate Melbourne" have unveiled the plans which would feature Australia's first Four Lane Drag Stip. Plans for the track also feature areas for burnouts and a two kilometre long "sprint" circuit. The new website http://www.motorvatemelbourne.com gives little information about those behind the plan, with the only information being that they are "a collection of stakeholders that support the work that the ANDRA Project Team and many other motor enthusiasts are doing."

LIFES A DRAG AS CRASH ROBS REED

7. June 2009

For a slender moment during the Top Alcohol Final of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals at Ipswich’s Willowbank Raceway Debbie Reed appeared to have re-written the Australian Drag Racing record books. Having to win the Final against Aaron Hambridge to become the first female to win an Australian Drag Racing professional championship Reed appeared to have achieved the honour when Hambridge jumped the start lights. However, as fate would have it Reed made contact with the concrete wall at around the 330ft mark while travelling at over 200 km/h resulting in exclusion, handing the Winternationals win to Hambridge and the Championship to Gary Phillips. “I am absolutely heartbroken,” said Reed. “I would really love to come back next season and fight for it, to have it over again. “Unfortunately at the moment though, as much as I want to keep going with our current funding situation it just isn’t looking possible without a corporate partner, but you never know and I guess we will just have to wait and see.”

MOTORSPORT JOINS THE BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FIGHT

13. February 2009

Australia's Motorsport community has joined the rest of the nation in supporting the victims of the terrible bushfires that as we go to press continue to race across Victoria. At this time over 180 people are confirmed dead with many others missing or seriously injured. Young Victorian Drifter Luke Jacobs and his parents Alan and Miros Jacobs as well as Luke's close friend BMX rider Nathan Charles all lost their lives at the Jacobs family home in Koornalla. “This is a horrible tragedy and they will be sorely missed.” said Drift Australia’s Wayne Boatwright. Several Victorian state rally competitors lost business and homes in the inferno that swept across the ranges at a stunning speed fanned by 46 degree temperatures and gale force winds. V8 Supercars Australia joined other professional sporting groups across the country in announcing a $100000 donation to the national appeal while V8 stars, Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander and Will Davison gave their time in a nationally televised appeal that raised over $20 million. “As a sport we are doing what we can with this donation and the other initiatives announced today" said V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane. "We urge our fan base throughout Australia to contribute to this extremely worthwhile cause.” V8 Supercars Australia CEO Cameron Levick said that all proceeds from the annual test day at Winton Motor Raceway on March 9 would also be donated to the relief fund. Queensland Raceway, which has a test day on March 11, will donate all it's gate takings to the North Queensland Flood Appeal. Jamie Whincup said he was devastated by the fires in an area so close to where he grew up. “Personally I am in a state of shock - having grown up only 15 minutes from the Whittlesea Relief Centre; I enjoyed much of my recreational time in the King Lake district and have many of my relatives, friends and fans located in the fire affected area. “I have today personally donated $1,000 to the appeal and call upon my fellow V8 Supercar drivers to match that amount. If we can all do this that will equate to an additional $30,000 on top of the $100,000 V8 Supercars have donated as our sports governing body."

AUSSIE DRAG RACING CHAMP ON DRUGS CHARGES

4. February 2009

Australian Drag Racing Legend Brett Stevens who recently retired from the sport has been arrested and charged on serious drug charges. Stevens, 44, of Narangba, was bailed to appear on March 30 after a brief appearence in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. Stevens was charged with six drug offences including trafficking, producing and supplying drugs as well as possessing drug property. The court was told that authorities had a court order to freeze assets connected to Mr Stevens including his race team & race car & bike fabrication business. Magistrate Sheryl Cornack granted bail, noting Mr Stevens had known he was under investigation for some time and had made no attempt to flee. Steven's recently retired from the sport of drag racing at the height of his success in a move that shocked many connected with the sport. Steven's known to his fans as "The Boss" recently attended the Calder Park True Blue Drag Championships assisting a fellow competitor. Speaking with Melbourne TV show In Pit Lane, Stevens said that he had retired due to the fact that he was no longer enjoying the sport. "My wife said one morning, if you're not enjoying it any more then give it away, I thought, yeah she's right so I did." Stevens said that he still harboured the dream to compete in Nitro Funny Cars in the USA and run against his hero John Force. The Australian National Drag Racing Association, the peak govening body for the sport in Australia issued a statement saying the news of the charges was an enormously disappointing situation for everyone involved in the sport. “It is imperative that it is made clear that ANDRA, its members and our corporate partners do not condone in any way the illegal activities that have allegedly occurred." said ANDRA CEO, Tony Thornton.

EMOTIONAL WIN TO WILL IN KALITTA TRIBUTE RACE

29. December 2008

US Drag Racer Hillary Will took out an emotional victory driving her Kalitta racing Dragster to a win in the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial meeting at Sydney's Eastern Creek Dragway. Will defeated local racer Terry Sainty in a rain delayed final running here fastest time of the weekend with a 4.743 at 303.16 mph to beat Sainty's 5.284 at 260.51 mph pass. The meeting which started on Boxing Day was marred by rain which saw the final eliminations delayed until Sunday. The weekend's biggest incident happened Friday when Mildura driver Darren Morgan lost a wheel in his race with Alan Dobson. Morgan's car rolled and crossed into the path of Dobson who thankfully managed to avoid Morgan's car. Of more concern was the errant wheel which bounced into the area at the side of the track narrowly missing track officials and photographers. The wheel eventually came to stop when it hit a trackside ambulance. The spectacular crash made National television news in Australia with the Nine Network in particular beating the story up into “again questioning the safety of the sport.” Will's victory driving the Kalitta team car was highly emotional as she won the trophy bearing the name of her former team mate and friend Scott Kalitta who was tragically killed in a Funny Car crash in the USA earlier in 2008. Speaking after the win Will said "This means so much to me and this team, to get this trophy and take it back to the States is such an honor for us. Scott was my mentor, and he was like a brother to me. We miss him so much, but we are so happy to win this trophy for Connie, Doug, Scott's wife Kathy, and his boys, Corey and Colin and the entire Kalitta family." Hillary Will KB Racing/MAC Tools 4.743 @ 303.16 mph def. Terry Sainty Sainty Engineering 5.284 @ 260.51 mph

DRAG RACING SHOCK: STEVENS QUITS, A V8 SUPERCAR FUTURE ?

10. December 2008

In a shock announcement one of the biggest names in Australian professional Drag Racing, Brett Stevens has announced he will retire from full time race driving and cease operating his team at the end of 2008. Stevens, 43, leaves the sport as one of the most successful and influential professional racers in it’s history. Over a career spanning 18 years, he has multiple National Championships, World Records, National Records and Strip Records to his and his team’s name. In addition to his on-track presence, Stevens also single-handedly changed the face of the sport with his new levels of showmanship and professionalism off the track that have helped make him into an Australian motorsport icon. Stevens said that the decision had been an extremely difficult one to make. “This is one of the biggest decisions of my life and it has not come easily. I’ve put a lot of thought into it and for those that know me and my passion for the sport, my fans, my team and my sponsors would know how difficult this has been.” “I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished as a professional racer and I am at the point of my career where I am at the top. Retirement is not something that I have considered until recently however I have always promised myself that if I wasn’t enjoying myself and the challenges that the sport presented I would step aside.” “Over many years I have also been the subject of many malicious and false rumour and innuendo, including personal attacks and threats on myself, my family, employees and sponsors which are taking an unprecedented toll on both my personal and professional wellbeing.” “I have made a decision now though to look to the future for both myself and my family, and while this decision ends one phase of my career, I’m confident it will also open doors to many new opportunities.”

HONDA OUT, AUDI CUT BACK. WHO’S NEXT!

6. December 2008

Honda's decision to leave Formula One is just an early taste of the schism about to hit international motorsport worldwide. As the US based sub-prime economic meltdown hits, Honda will be the first of many to reassess the wisdom of spending millions of dollars on cars going round and round in circles. Already major NASCAR teams are laying off staff and as the US big three put out the begging bowl to US taxpayers one wonders how any sensible Government will view any public funds being ploughed into things like NASCAR, NHRA and the American Le Mans Series. In the week when Audi announced its commitment to building a new diesel powered sports prototype for Le Mans, they also announced a complete pull out from both the European Le Mans series and the ALMS. Toyota, who have probably the biggest exposure of all the Japanese car makers to the collapsing US economy have issued a statement saying that they remain committed to F1. No, sorry that is “currently” committed to F1. Unlike Honda, Toyota have had some limited success at F1 level and also unlike Honda they have the backing of a major naming rights sponsor in Panasonic. But their press release does give very clear indication that unless ways are found to dramatically cut the huge cost of F1 then they too could be the next to go.