Pro spotlight on Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley Drag Strip under lights (Photo courtesy Jeremy Horvath/High RPM)The next ANDRA Drag Racing Series event will be a historic occasion when Top Alcohol and Top Bike race for championship points at Hidden Valley Drag Strip for the first time.
The venue went through a $4.6 million upgrade from 2010 to 2011, bringing it to an international standard. The work included a complete resurface of the track as well as the installation of a concrete surface to the 330 feet mark, upgraded safety barriers, a new burnout pad, the installation of Australia's largest readout (timing) boards and an improved spectator viewing area.
The concrete launch area in particular won awards for its flatness which allows high horsepower vehicles to get all their power down without having to worry about any bumps along the way.
The work at the Federal and NT Government-funded venue has made it an attractive prospect for national championship events and Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association president Jay Jukes said being able to host an ANDRA Drag Racing Series round was a coup for the top end.
"While the venue is a Territory Government asset all drag racing events are still fully club run by a fantastic group of dedicated volunteers and we are lucky to have a very solid member base behind us," he said.
"The sound of two pro drag racing vehicles at full noise on the start line waiting for that green light will echo through the valley, enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up - it is a sound like no other."
Hidden Valley is unique in Australian motorsport as it features a drag strip running parallel to the circuit allowing the two disciplines to share facilities but also ensure individual needs are met.
"It means all sports need to work together and at times compromises need to be reached but it has allowed us to share a range of common facilities," Jukes said. "For example the main straight the V8 Supercars use is built on top of our original return road and the spectator viewing areas are common for most motorsports, along with kiosks and amenities. We have even branched out to using the same pit paddock for all sports."
This will be the second national level event held in the Northern Territory in a matter of months, following on from June's Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at Alice Springs Inland Dragway.
Hidden Valley Drag Strip Vital Statistics:
- Location: Hidden Valley, Northern Territory
- Altitude: 11 metres above sea level (36 feet)
- Racing Surface Length – Quarter mile (402 metres), shot-peened concrete to 330 feet (100 metres) and bitumen for remainder.
- Braking Area Length – 600 metres
- Timing System – Compulink
- Track Record Time: Scott Maclean - 5.738 seconds
- Track Record Speed: Scott Maclean – 249.95mph (402.24kph)
