Banging show for Begley at the Nitro Funny Car meeting
Race report by Dave Hunter.
Before covering the event with the race report, Just Drag Racing would like to say a get well soon to Christine May, who is recovering as we speak from a sizable spill in her Super Sedan Torana. Although it was pretty darn scary to see, she walked away from it quite quickly and was whisked away to the medical facilities in good time. We wish you well. Also some well wishes to Morry Cantarella who had a slip whilst finishing off a qualifying burnout and had a tumble to the ground.
Numbers were down as far as Nitro Funny Cars went, but Mark Sheehan and Anthony Begley made up for that with some numbers of their own. Elapsed time numbers, that is. Sheehan had the first round of bragging rights with a 4.910 at 306mph keeping Begley in check, his own 5.225 almost there.
Round two would provide a bit too much action when it wasn't needed however, as Begley kept the 5.2s coming but blew apart the blower and damaged the Camaro shell beyond any meaningful repairs for the evening. Mark Sheehan suffered shake and fell behind with a 5.86.
Sheehan was left with the task of keeping the crowd entertained for the final bout, but that became a non-event with a malfunctioning reverse which left the Mustang driver with no choice but to roll forward and put away the car before the pass was made.
Videos courtesy Gardner Broz
- In the Top Comp field, the track conditions were definitely more to the horsepower tuner's liking, but this time more to Al McClure's favour, back in the familiar Achieva FC automatic we are more familiar to seeing him in. Runner-up this week was Rob Pilkington, determined to keep his championship hopes alive going into the final round.
- David Dequen finally got his big chance and took home some Super Comp prizes (4 tenths under the 7.95 index, thank you very much) for his troubles. Errol Quartermaine also did a fine job in second spot.
- Neil Anderson took out Competition Bike (he wins so often it has worn out every race journalist's keyboard using the letters of his name over the years!), Kevin Gummow also a familiar finalist name right behind him.
- Stuart Moresby fancied some success of his own after Ryan Moresby's Comp win at the Westerns event, so he did that at this meeting in the Ford BA Supercharged Outlaw Ute. Greg James and the world's most powerful setsquare (translate that to Lamborghini Countach) couldn't front for the final, but he was this meeting's runner-up.
- Mal Watson's visits to the Motorplex aren't as regular as they used to be, but never discount him as he took more success with his familiar red altered in Modified. Cameron Turner was his latest victim in the other lane.
- Moreno Gullotto had the SCM Camira up to it's usual consistent antics and was rewarded with a win over Alby Bakranich and his Monte Carlo in Super Sedan.
- It was a Ross Garrett and Graham Slade match-up in Modified Bike, Garrett both ahead on reaction time and elapsed time/dial-in package to take the winner's trophy.
- In Super Street it was Thornlie Automotives power all the way with Nicholas Wroe out in front with Jayme Smith in second place.
The next event at Perth Motorplex also happens to be the last on the WA domestic calendar, so keep an eye out for the next report as we take a look at the points championship winners and losers.
