Team Bray Racing heads west for Goldenstates challenge
Less than two weeks after an action-packed outing at Sydney Dragway, Team Bray Racing's Victor and Ben Bray are set to head across the country for the Perth Motorplex's 41st annual Goldenstates this Friday and Saturday (16-17 November).
With a 19 car field battling for just eight spots on race day as the 'Fremantle Doctor' ensures unpredictable conditions, the father and son team will be looking to repeat the achievements of days past at the revered Western Australian facility.
At this same event in 2003, Victor set a world record terminal speed of 245.23 miles per hour (394.57kmh) while in 2004 Ben reset the national elapsed time record of the day at 6.02 seconds before taking victory in an all-Bray final.
"Team Bray Racing outfit has had some great outings at the Perth Motorplex in the past and we can't wait to get into it this weekend," said Victor.
"With 19 Top Doorslammers battling it out for just eight positions in the eliminations field, Friday night is going to see everyone putting it on the line guaranteeing a great show for the spectators.
"It is a shame though that come race day 11 of these spectacular machines will be sitting idly in the pits or even starting their journey home.
"There has been talk of introducing 16 car race fields in situations such as this, I am not sure if that is the answer but I definitely think it is time that we sit back and have a look at a new approach for the benefit of the racers, the track promoters and the fans.
"If you think about it, Friday night's spectators will see 57 Top Doorslammer passes, but come Saturday they will see only 14 (seven elimination races) – what I would like to see is an approach which sees a comparable show for both days of an event, providing the fans with the spectacle they want and rewarding the drivers and teams for their efforts.
"Perhaps something like the format run in the recent Slamfest series or the two round idea employed by V8 Supercars at some of their events could be a starting point for a new approach which provides the definite winner we need, works over multiple days, keeps the schedule nice and tight, and provides the show we are all looking for."
This weekend's event comes hot on the heels of an action-packed outing for the Team Bray Racing crew at Sydney Dragway's Australian Nationals over 2-3 November 2012, where Victor and long-time friend Peter Kapiris collided during qualifying when Kapiris suffered a major clutch failure and on-board fire (both drivers were okay and Kapiris went on to win the event) and Ben faced off against the eventual race-winner in the semi-finals.
"The Australian Nationals saw a promising start to my season and I am eager to continue this current form at the Perth Motorplex this weekend," said Ben Bray.
"It is certainly going to be a hard-fought battle with such a large field vying for just eight spots, but we will certainly be doing everything we can to see the Bray machines in the mix come race day."
Friday 16 November will host qualifying for the 41st Goldenstates at the Perth Motorplex, with Top Doorslammer taking to the track at 6.00pm, 8.00pm and 10.00pm local time. Saturday 17 November will host eliminations racing, with Top Doorslammer to battle it out at 6.00pm, 8.00pm and 10.00pm local time. For full event information, please visit www.motorplex.com.au
For more information on Team Bray Racing, please visit www.teambraycing.com. To keep up to date with this weekend's action as it happens, please see the links below.
