Some of the latest and important news tidbits from the dynamic drag racing scene of our fellow “Commonwealthers” ……
Sportsman Performance Classes move to National Records System
As part of their commitment to keep Australian Drag Racing competitive, relevant and fair, 400 Thunder and IHRA Australia have approved an overhaul to the 400 Thunder Sportsman Series Performance Classes.
As part of the changes brought forward by Sportsman racers, through the Sportsman Commissions in both NSW & QLD, it sees the change to a National Records system in an effort to make racing easier to enjoy and more exciting for both competitors and spectators alike.
The updates will include:
• Removal of the current Index system, to be replaced with a National Records-based system
• Qualification and subsequent handicapping against the IHRA National Records for their respective class
• National Records WILL NOT be adjusted during events
• Records can only be reset with two passes in eliminations or competition. Records cannot be set in Qualifying
• Racing will run to a Professional Series Ladder Format
To complement the proposed changes, it has been recommended that a Records Review Committee be established. The Committee’s primary function will be to monitor, and adjust as necessary, Class Records to ensure fair racing amongst competitors.
These changes affect the 400 Thunder National Championship series for Super Stock, Competition and Competition Bike, and will take effect in time for the 2017/18 Season commencing at Springmount Raceway.
AC Delco Signs Naming Rights Partnership with Sydney Dragway
Aftermarket automotive industry leader ACDelco has announced an agreement to secure the naming rights to the East Coast Thunder to be held at Sydney Dragway in November.
The single year agreement demonstrates a significant and increasing commitment to drag racing, after last season partnering with Fabietti Racing and their driver Mark Belleri to win last season’s 400 Thunder Pro Slammer title.
After the success enjoyed by ACDelco in the first year of their partnership with Fabietti Racing, taking on the naming rights to one of the most prestigious events on the Australian Drag racing calendar was a natural progression.
Paul Rietveld from ACDelco was enthusiastic about the new partnership, saying today “the iconic ACDelco brand has built a solid reputation over the last 100 years through its competitively priced quality products, largely amongst trade customers. Partnering with Sydney Dragway provides ACDelco with a great opportunity grow its brand awareness with the enthusiastic race fans through our support of such an iconic event”.
Sydney Dragway General Manager Peter Beaumont was glowing in his praise of ACDelco “to be able to partner such an iconic event as the East Coast Thunder with an industry leading brand like ACDelco is truly a pleasure. The range and quality of the products offered by ACDelco is rivalled only by the quality of the racing that we are expecting to see at the ACDelco East Coast Thunder!”.
The ACDelco East Coast Thunder is the second round of the 2017 / 18 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series, and will be the first opportunity fans have to see Top Fuel on the east coast this season. It is also the first time this season that all 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman series categories will be in attendance at a single event this season.
About ACDelco – AC Delco provides a wide range of quality products for the automotive replacement parts industry consisting of maintenance parts such as car batteries, spark plugs, oil filters, air filters, wiper blades and brakes. As a global leader, their focus has always been on balding a reputation for the number one source for quality auto parts to suit most makes and models.
About Sydney Dragway – Opened in 2004, Sydney Dragway is a multi-million dollar purpose built facility designed specifically to handle large scale outdoor events in addition to its core focus, developing and hosting world class drag racing events. Located just 32 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and with 1.7 million people living within a 30 kilometre radius, Sydney Dragway truly is where excitement lives in NSW.
Sydney Dragway Goes Pink
Sydney Dragway has a long history of being associated with charity and female racers, so when the opportunity arose to show a softer side and also support for the prevention of women’s cancers, it seemed like a natural fit.
For the week starting Monday 17th October, Sydney Dragway will go pink in support of the cause including a freshly revised logo fitting with the pink theme across all social media accounts and website, Pink Official’s Uniforms for all events during the week and collection points for the public and drag racing community to make donations to the worthy cause.
The events that the activities will encompass are Race For Real on Wednesday 18th October, Full Throttle Friday on 20thOcober and Round 7 of the ATURA NSW Championship Series on Saturday 21st October. All Sydney Dragway Officials will be fitted out with a Pink Official’s Uniforms for the duration of the week.
Those wishing to donate can do so at the specially marked locations in the Scrutineering Shed, at the Reception Desk in the office, and at the Track Apparel Shop. There will also be roaming collectors making their way through the grandstand over the course of the events.
Sydney Dragway General Manager Peter Beaumont said today “It’s hard to imagine that there is anyone out there that hasn’t been affected by cancer or knows someone who has battled cancer. This is a really great way to show our support for those that may be going through a tough time at the moment and also to raise some money for the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign through October”.
For more information on 400 Thunder visit: www.400thunder.com.au
For more information on AC Delco visit: www.ACDelco.com.au
For more information on Sydney Dragway visit: www.sydneydragway.com.au
Posted by Rusty Gregory
Photos by Grant Stephens and Bruce Biegler
