Rain dashes Team Bray hopes for continued North QLD success
Wet weather has forced the abandonment of the final round of the 2013 Slamfest Series, seeing last round winners' Team Bray Racing's hopes of claiming back-to-back successes in the northern end of Queensland dashed.
After emerging victorious at the Series' penultimate round in Gladstone earlier this month, TBR's Ben Bray was laying down the goods in Mackay on Saturday - securing his spot in the semi-final with a round one win over Bill Goonan - before the weather gods intervened and forced Series organisers to abandon the event.
The decision saw the title handed to points leader John Zappia, with 2012 Series winner Kapiris in second and Ben taking third position ahead of father Victor Bray.
"It certainly is disappointing to see rain claim another great drag racing event, especially when the Sidchrome Tools Monaro was looking the goods for a strong showing in the semi-final in Mackay," said Ben Bray.
"With 2012's North Queensland leg of the Slamfest Series delivering dad and I an event win each and my Gladstone win from a couple of weeks ago under our belt, the whole team was really worked up to see that streak continuing this weekend in Mackay.
"Unfortunately it just wasn't to be, but I want to say a big thank you to the locals of Mackay who really came out and supported us at Palmyra Raceway despite the threatening weather and also to those who came to McGinns Engineering Solutions to meet us during the week – we have really enjoyed being here and can't wait to come back next time."
At the time of the cancellation, qualifying and one complete round of racing had been completed and the four quickest winners from that round – Grant O'Rourke, John Zappia, Russell Pavey and Ben Bray – were preparing for the semi-final.While Ben had made it through to the semi-final, his father Victor Bray was getting ready to cheer from the sidelines after his 4.832 second effort wasn't enough against eventual Series winner Zappia in the first round.
"What a disappointment it is to see the weather once again interfering with what was shaping up to be some fantastic drag racing, but on the other hand it was really fantastic to see the support of the locals here at Palmyra Raceway," said Bray.
"My congratulations go to Series winner Zappia and also to my mate Peter Kapiris who takes the runners-up trophy and my son Ben in third place – with me in fourth position I guess he has claim to the bragging rights for this running of the Series!"
For full results from the final round of the 2013 Slamfest Series please visit http://teambrayracing.com/slamfest-results.html.
The Team Bray Racing outfit will now head back to its Kallangur base to prepare for Queensland Raceway's V8 Supercar event (26-28 July) where Victor and Ben will be part of the official on-track entertainment with their burnout cars, before the team gets ready for the next round of the ANDRA Top Doorslammer championship, to be held at Adelaide International Raceway across September 21 and 22.
