Picture perfect conditions on opening day of Australian Nationals
The event, held at Sydney Dragway just 45 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, saw some potentially record smashing performances in Super Stock, Competition Bike and Super Compact.
Po Tung went a very impressive -0.95 under the National AA/OM record with a 7.196 second pass to take the Super Compact top qualifier in his last attempt.
In his return to ANDRA Championship Drag Racing, Tung insists there will be no backing off on raceday as he chases a record six-second pass.
“We haven’t raced at a national event for a while but when we set the index at 8.50 it was a good year, year and half ago,” Tung said.
“The car has been getting quicker ever since so we’re just going to give it all we’ve got and we’re looking for that 6.90.
“It went 7.08 at the Brisbane Jamboree this year at 207 mph so we’re just really pushing to get that six (second pass).
“I’m not worried (about the index) because I know the car can go faster. We’re just going to push as hard as we can.”
Super Stock provided multiple highlights as the top four qualifiers all went under their respective National records with Championship hopeful Jake Chaisty qualifying second on a 9.28 to go -0.65 under the H/MSA index.
Since returning to racing after a scary incident at Calder Park earlier this year, Daniel Camillieri has been gaining in confidence to the point where he recorded a 7.567 elapsed time to go -0.78 under the National DD/GA record to take the number one qualifier.
“The car went awesome, absolutely wrapped,” Cammilleri said.
“Just thought we’d drive it out the back door to see what it would run.
“I’m moving around a little bit mid-track and I’m still struggling with that but we’ll get there, it just takes time (to regain full confidence).”
Competition Bike Championship leader Ross Smith almost went under his own C/AB National record qualifying 3rd in his bid for the title.
But it was Daryn Schuster who qualified 1st with an 8.259 second ET travelling -0.63 under the D/AB record. In 2nd was Peter Everett going -0.58 under the D/SB record on a 9.679 ET.
David Dequen wrapped up top spot in Competition Eliminator just two thousandths of a second away from going under the E/AA National record on a 7.42 ET.
Wayne Cartledge and Greg Leahy look will also look to play a part in the destination of the Competition Eliminator Championship from 2nd and 3rd as will Peter Pisalidis, in with a mathematical shot to cause an upset, in 6th.
The door has been blown wide open by Al McClure qualifying in 7th while fellow Championship leader Craig Geddes failed to make a representative pass. He will be allowed to take his place at the back of the undersubscribed field after attempting to stage.
Eliminations in the final round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship at the Australian Nationals get underway from 10am tomorrow.
