Doorslammers ready to dance at Benaraby this weekend
Grant O'Rourke in action (Photo courtesy dragphotos.com.au)Just days now remain until Benaraby Raceway hosts 28,000 horsepower worth of Top Doorslammer muscle for round three of the 2013 Slamfest Series on Saturday 29 June.
This Saturday will be the second time the Slamfest Series has visited the Gladstone eighth mile drag strip, with last year's trip seeing attendance records smashed with the start of qualifying needing to be delayed to allow the long line of spectators waiting to gain entry to the facility time to get through the gates.
Track records were also under attack, with the local elapsed time (ET) and speed (mile per hour) records both being slammed in front of the thrilled five thousand-strong crowd.
Slamfest Series co-owner and 2012 champion Peter Kapiris said the field was bursting to get on track in Gladstone this weekend after receiving such an enthusiastic reception in 2012.
"The Slamfest Series is all about bringing Top Doorslammer racers from across the country to Australia's eighth-mile distance regional tracks," said Kapiris.
"When we experience a response like that which we enjoyed in Gladstone in 2012, how could we not come back!
"The cars were queued up for half a kilometre down the road last year to get in the gate, seeing us delay the start of qualifying to make sure they had the chance to secure their trackside seat without missing any of the action.
"Everyone was blown away by the support and enthusiasm of the local race fans and we can't wait to get on track and do it all again this weekend."
Kapiris will be joined on-track by fellow Top Doorslammer competitors Victor and Ben Bray, John Zappia, Gary Phillips, Russ Pavey, Murray O'Connor and Grant O'Rourke.
O'Rourke – a privateer racer funding his campaign almost entirely from his own business pursuits – recently made the move from West Australia to now call Redcliffe in Queensland his home.
"I returned to the sport of Top Doorslammer after seven years out of the seat in November of last year, and upon my return I was very pleased to see what the Slamfest Series was up to and was quick to get involved as soon as I could," said O'Rourke, who thanks K-Trans for their support in sponsoring his fuel spend.
"This sport can be very expensive, especially when you are looking to compete in the national quarter-mile ANDRA series, so the Slamfest Series provides a perfect option for me and takes our crew to some fantastic regional tracks across the country, showcasing our great category to some very grateful race fans.
"I am currently sixth in the points and while Zappia, Kapiris and Victor Bray are out there in front the points are very close from fourth back. With two rounds still to run, anything can happen and I will be doing my absolute best this weekend to see if I can climb my way up that points ladder with a strong result in Gladstone!"
Now entering its fourth year, the Slamfest Series sees Top Doorslammer racers from around the country competing across the eighth-mile distance at Australia's regional tracks.
At Benaraby Raceway's round of the Series, the eight 3,500hp Top Doorslammer machines will be joined on track by Matt Mingay - one of the country's most famous stunt bike performers – and his Stuntz Inc crew riders Allan 'Nads' Morrisson and Dan Milne.
Before the on-track festivities get underway on Saturday, a special off-street meet will be held on Friday afternoon at Harbour City Harley-Davidson (85 Hanson Road, Gladstone), with Mingay on hand to sign autographs from 4.00pm to 5.00pm before undertaking a demo for the fans in the shop's carpark.
Come Saturday 29 June, the gates will open at 8.00am with racing commencing at midday. Children aged 12 years and under gain free entry when accompanied by an adult while those aged 13 to 17 years (as well as concession holders) can purchase tickets for just $20.00. Adult passes are available for $35.00 while family passes (2 adults and 2 kids) are available for just $70.00.
The 2013 Slamfest Series is being held over six plus rounds, including appearances at Heathcote Park Raceway (19 January), Portland's South Coast Raceway (16 February), Gladstone's Benaraby Raceway (29 June) and Mackay (Final round – 13 July 2013). For more information, please visit www.slamfest.com.au or www.facebook.com/SlamfestAustralia.
