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NITRO
THUNDER Sends the Record Books
Tumbling |
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| NITRO
THUNDER Sends the Record Books Tumbling |
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One of the most historic days of
Australian Drag Racing is in the record
books – now overflowing with new
standards from the 2017 Gulf Western Oil
Nitro Thunder.
The re-surfaced racetrack at Sydney
Dragway showed glimpses of promise on
day one, but after a full day of racing
it showed that it is a world class
surface with Australian records and
personal bests tumbling across the
board.
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Richie Crampton, Top Fuel |
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Top Fuel was a highlight, punctuated by
the most number of 4.5 passes ever
recorded in one day. Aussie born US
based Superstar Richie Crampton showed
that the new car debuted this weekend by
Lamattina Top Fuel Racing was working
well, with a 4.538 in the second round
of racing – only two hundredths of a
second from the Sydney Dragway Track
Record and three hundredths away from
the quickest pass in History.
The Top Fuel Final featured points
leader Wayne Newby taking on Crampton,
and whilst expectations were high a tyre
smoking peddle-fest saw the New South
Welshman driving for Rapisarda Autosport
International take the win, and in the
process extend his points lead.
Pro Alcohol
saw a rash of 5.4 second passes in the
all funny-car field. Steve Reed opened
proceedings with a 5.45, his first ever
foray in to the 5.4 second zone. Points
leader Gary Phillips bested the mark
with a 5.44 in the 3rd
round of racing, however it was Wayne
Price and Reed that would do battle for
the Gold Christmas Tree Trophy. Steve
Reed was first off the start line and
first to the finish to take the win, his
second in succession, however Wayne
Price suffered a considerable engine
explosion and ensuing fire.
Pro Slammer was a category that was
lowering records across the board. It
began with Reigning Champ John Zappia
laying down a 5.63 – the quickest ever
run by a Pro Slammer in history - but
was punctuated by a side by side pass in
the 3rd round of racing that
was the quickest side by side run in
history between Zappia and Ben Bray –
the latter winning the race a 5.700
beating a quicker 5.658 on a holeshot.
The final round came down to two cagey
veterans, with Gary Phillips taking with
win with a spectacular 5.722 over Victor
Bray, featuring in his second
consecutive final round in Sydney. |
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Gary Phillips - Pro Slammer |
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Top Bike saw the quickest ever run by a
Nitro fuelled Harley Davidson at Sydney
Dragway when Damian Muscat from North
Queensland went 6.343 – only 2
hundredths of a second away from the
quickest run in Australian history.
Chris Matheson was keeping pace all
weekend long however spun the tyre hard
in the final round, handing the win to
Damian Muscat.
Pro Stock was a family affair, as Aaron
Tremayne triumphed over his brother
Aaron in the Final round with a 6.903 to
a 6.962- again, one of the quickest side
by side runs in history. In the process,
he wrapped up the 400 Thunder Pro Stock
Championship in what was a dream debut
for new Sponsors Mega Bulk Fuels.
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Aaron Treymane -
Pro Stock |
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Pro Bike also saw the record books be
tossed out the window, with the quickest
run in the categories history – a 7 .056
by Brad Lemberg in the final round that
was one half of the quickest side by
side pass, with reigning champion Glenn
Wooster recording a 7.259 in a valiant
runner up effort. |
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Brad Lemberg - Pro Bike |
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There remains
only one round of the 400 Thunder
Championship to run, the Gulf Western
Oil 50th
Winternationals on June 8-11 at
Willowbank raceway. With the record
setting performances of this weekend in
the books, the focus will now shift to
the championship decider which promises
to be a stellar conclusion to
season 2 of 400 Thunder.
Photos by Dave Reid / Dragphotos
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