Record setting times at Slamfest Hidden Valley

The first night of Slamfest 2012 at Hidden Valley Drag Strip saw another 5 second pass added to the books with Peter Kapiris top qualifying in the Top Doorslammer field with a 5.945 second run at 245mph to set the highest MPH and quickest elapsed time of the event so far.

With the Slamfest Series traditionally run over the eighth mile the teams were also keeping a close eye on the times to the shorter distance. Kapiris ran 3.939 seconds at 195.31mph over the shorter distance, bettering the previous Slamfest records from Benaraby of 3.981 and 194.81mph respectively.  Kapiris is now only the third Doorslammer driver in Australia to run a sub 4 second pass to the eighth mile.

West Australian John Zappia also backed up his previous record setting attempts from 2011 with a 5.981 at 236mph (3.950 at 190mph to the eighth mile).

Gary Phillips in the Lucas Oil Studebaker had a huge pedal at halftrack and still pulled off the third qualifying position with a 6.198 at 228mph.

Local Territorian, Scott MacLean, piloted the All Tools Doorslammer to 4^th place with a 6.387 at 234mph.

In a show of camaraderie Mark Belleri was flown in at the last minute to pilot the Holden Monaro of Maurice Fabietti after Fabietti fell ill soon after arriving in Darwin.

The field finished out with Frank Mamone, Belleri, Russ Pavey and Daniel Gregorini in the top eight followed by Matt Abel and Peter Coles.

Unfortunately local Super Sedan racer Des Groves came unstuck halftrack after dropping fluid on the rear tyres. Groves pristine 1971 Ford ute impacted the wall heavily but Groves walked away without injury.

Another notable mention was the PB of Dieter Herrmann who ran his first ever 7 second pass with a 7.939 at 170mph in his SS/AA Camaro that he is campaigning in the Outlaw bracket.

In other brackets Allan Arthus is sitting in the top position after two qualifying rounds for Super Sedan with an 8.625 while Modified Bike is being led by Geoff Hawkins on a 9.395.

Super Street sees Peter Forte with an 11.018, Kimbo Ottey is top qualifying for Street Car with a 13.212 and Mark Tattingham leads the way in Street Bike with a 10.787.

Qualifying resumes tomorrow at Hidden Valley Drag Strip from 3:30pm with Doorslammers ontrack from 6:00pm.

Slamfest 2012 is proudly sponsored by the Territory Government and 7mate.

Slamfest 2012

• Saturday 18 August – Racing
• Gates open 2:30pm
• Qualifying 3:30pm-5pm
• Action from 6pm

• Adult Admission Saturday 18 Aug - $35.00
• Family Admission Saturday 18 Aug - $70.00
• Children Under 13 FREE