Bumper field for first 2013 off street event
Brad Baker's Mazda RX3 was the fastest car of the night with a 9.858 second pass (Photo courtesy Ed Forman)It was as bumper start to the 2013 Beat the Heat Off Street Series at Hidden Valley Drag Strip on Friday night with over 90 teams hitting the track for the first time thanks to Hidden Valley Ford.
Brad Baker's Mazda RX3 was the fastest car of the night with a 9.858 second pass at 139.7mph (225km/hr), albeit with a set of wheelie bars strapped on to make sure the front wheels didn't reach too far to the sky. His night wasn't without dramas though, damaging the turbo later in the night.
Unfortunately the Beat the Heat Commodore also had to retire early after damaging a rear axle.
Passenger rides also proved popular and were a great way to mentor new drivers, or just give the girlfriend a good scare.
In the bikes, long time racer Taurie Minogue netted the fastest street bike pass with a 10.434 at 139mph (224km/hr).
Race organizer, Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association, commended the drivers on their patience throughout the night with several new initiatives being trialled. Included in the changes were new pit areas and new staging lane structures.
"Friday was the first time for us to trial the new venue layout and we knew we would have to work through and refine some of the changes" said HVDRA President, Jay Jukes.
"We understand this is a break from tradition and the facility lighting wasn't quite up to standard but we are hoping the racers will continue to work with us knowing the longer term outcomes we are trying to achieve."
The concept behind the moves is to provide increased pit capacity and reduce congestion directly behind the start line.
The night finished with 7 burnouts cars taking to the D&M Enterprises Colosseum. Stand outs included the distinctive blower whine of the recently supercharged VX Commodore of Sam Locke, and the Import of Jarrod Ford that put on a great display of how to throw a drift car around a burnout pad.
The next event at Hidden Valley Drag Strip is the Season Opener on Saturday 27 April.
