Portland to Perth for Aussie champ John Kapiris

Reigning Australian Super Sedan Champion, John Kapiris is putting in the early miles in his quest for back-to-back titles.

After attending last weekend's first ASDRS round at Portland's Fuchs South Coast Raceway, the Adelaide-based racer is driving the 3,250+ kilometres to the Perth Motorplex for this weekend's second round.

Kapiris competed in all rounds of last season's extended points chase and intends doing the same in his quest for back-to-back titles, with ANDRA's prestigious John Storm Memorial trophy his primary focus.

"The John Storm Memorial is my goal and my intentions are to do everything I can early – if I'm still in the hunt at the half way mark I'll keep going. If not, I'll reassess," Kapiris said.

Kapiris was a first round casualty at Portland when his usually stable HQ Holden became crossed up at half-track.

A slight drizzle had begun to fall around the venue, Kapiris believing his car slipping on the wet surface.

Officials immediately called off the next pair of cars and the event was put into rain-delay mode, while heavy rains shortly after brought an end to the event.

Just eight interstate competitors are entered for this weekend's event, which features the first rounds of Top Fuel and Top Fuel Motorcycle – Phil Lamattina (TF), Dennis Grant and Phil Parker (TFM) in Group 1, Craig Gerdes and Ryan Van Dyk (SCO), Kapiris, and Rocky Lamattina (JD) in the Sportsman categories.

Five cars are entered in Top Fuel with four of the cars east-coast based – Rapisarda International's two to be driven by locals Allan Dobson and Damien, Harris, Lamattina's, and local Martin Stamatis' Billview Racing dragster run by Jim Read Racing.

High temperatures are predicted for Friday and Saturday – 39 and 40 degrees respectively.

© Images Just Drag Racing/Gerald McDornan