Tremayne confident team has the power

Former Pro Stock champion Aaron Tremayne says the team has spent the off season developing the horsepower needed to fire back into form for the start of the ANDRA drag racing championship season at Adelaide International Raceway on October 20.

Tremayne finished an uncharacteristic eighth in last season's championship chase, having won the previous four championships in a row. He was blunt in his assessment of the poor finish.

"The top eight is pretty pathetic as far as I'm concerned," he said.

The performance inspired plenty of work in the team's shop in Queensland and also in testing to regain some form both in the engine department and with his own driving, which produced three red light losses last season.

"We went testing with my new engine and ran equal to the national speed record (314.16kph)," he said. "It's our own engine program with our new TX1 cylinder head which will be made in Australia. The head has taken us about two years to design, manufacture and get up to scratch."

Aaron races alongside his brother Tyronne under the guidance of father Kerry, an accomplished racer himself. As a family they have been the dominant force in Australian Pro Stock.

While there will be plenty of horsepower on tap come the start of the season, Aaron is conscious of the challenging Adelaide International Raceway track, which is still developing a racing groove since the return of competition to the venue in April. Clutch set up and downforce will be all important.

"The power won't show in Adelaide," he said. "I think Adelaide will be a challenge for everyone, it will come down to lane choice and I think it's really anyone's game.

"Nearly the top 16 cars are capable of winning if you have a good set up on the day. People will have to not try and drive too crazy and learn to lift off - when the track is tricky and the car steps out you could be in big trouble.

"Top Doorslammers for instance have a lot of downforce but our cars are real slidey and when they go they won't come back. You can put more bite in the car which everyone will be doing, but your wing downforce doesn't come into play until half track when you get enough speed.

"We will just have to wait and see what performances come, no one has really run there so it will be very interesting."

Adelaide International Raceway plays host to the ANDRA championship season opener for Top Fuel and Pro Stock on October 20 with racing kicking off from 9am.