QDRC Round 4
16 July 2018
Willowbank Raceway commentator, Terry Dale, provides his wrap up of Round Four of the Queensland Drag Racing Championship.
We were greeted the Saturday with a sight that’s good for farmers but not so much for drag racers, yes you guessed it, a wet track! None the less our volunteer crews worked their tails off trying to get the track dry for racing. In what was an amazing effort from our green team they succeeded in getting the qualifying action underway just two hours after our scheduled 8.00am start. With the inclusion of a big field of Kenda Tyres Drag Radial cars it was then a very full day of racing.
Wallace Bishop Loyal Watches Junior Dragster
Winner: Charlee Sedmak
Runner up: Rustie Wilshire
A couple of bolters from back in the pack shone through in juniors with Charlee making it her inaugural win and Rustie getting his first podium finish at Willowbank also. Big congrats to you both.
Look out Ladder the shakeup is coming!
Prime signs/ Speed Elec Super Street
Winner: Adam White
Runner up: Daniel Harms
Super street was super close all day with a lot of the top points contenders getting amongst it. With three wins a piece Adam and Dan (Ray Ross too but went too quick in his last run on a bye ) the boys made a hard fought final and Dan in the Chevelle cut a red to give Adam a pleasing win in the Commodore and put him in first place on the ladder.
Sports Turf Services Mod bike
Winner: Michael Beaton
Runner up: Trent Withers
With three riders on equal First place pre-meet it was always going to be a battle Royale. With Michael and Trent, the riders grabbing three wins from three they marched on to the final in a classic Hayabusa vs Kawasaki bike war. In a tension filled final Trent had to leave First and got out to a -001 red on the Kwaka and Michael also bought up a red in the fastest unopened Busa but got the win with the quicker dial in. Points score now has Michael in First, Craig Banks second and Trent in third but there’s a bunch of riders waiting to pounce.
No time for snoozing.
Mick’s Towing Super Sedan
Winner: Lee Sherwin
Runner up: George Wegener
The wheelstanding Escort of Lee’s is in fine form and Saturday was no different. Fresh from the last QDRC meet with a runner up he went one better and cut a 011 over George to win super Sedan. Interestingly George came off the back of his first ever win in the street meet the week previous. Outstanding form gents!
Damien Morris and Pat Barron did manage enough wins to stay 1 & 2 in the points so bring on next round.
Knijff Earthmoving Modified
Winner: Rob Frawley
Runner up: Stephen Sadler
Do you say someone is in a purple patch when they have been racing as long as Rob? I don’t know but he started the day top of the tree and finished the day there as well. Stephen knew he had to pull a rabbit out of the bag and we thought he had with a 089 light and Robs .239 but he didn’t lift and went too quick through the traps to give Mr Frawley the win. Points have Rob in First still with Phil Bellert two and Stephan Gouws in third after taking three from three in comp but red lighting in his final run on a solo.
Top Sportsman
Winner: Dave Gauldie
Runner up: Lee Steinhardt
Big cube and fast is usually the order of the day in TS and Saturday it was also the way. The pressure you can create was shown with finals winner Dave who had all his competitors, except one, red light against him and the other went too quick. It’s a pressure cooker for sure and Lee in the Commodore red lit against Dave in the final with an “O”so close -007 and Dave cut a 009. Dan Morris has held on to First with ford master Paul Doeblien 2nd and now the slippery cutlass of Gauldie right behind.
SCG Electrical COMP BIKE
Winner: Reagan Ward
Runner up Blair Pennington
So just rock up and create a disturbance that’s what Reagan did taking out the final over Blair and keeping the front runners out. Phil Earl is now 1 and Darrel Hinson 2 in a very tough fast field. Note Phil went under the index for his class which is no mean feat.
Highlights and notable mentions from the event: Youlten, Gouws, White and Frawley all getting 000 lights. Kenda tires 660 Drag radial putting on a show with more air than outer space. Three of the seven finals won by red lights! The great effort from the racers after the shortened qualifying but still delivering the goods.
All the updated championship points are here
You can find Drag Photo’s full gallery from the event at http://www.dragphotos.com.au
Thanks to all our officials, ambos, Fireys and especially our sponsors plus Kerry Digney and Chris Diggles for doing the mic thing with me and us having a laugh as always.
Round 5 of the QDRC will be presented by Mick’s Towing Service on August 11 featuring Donnelly Blasting Services QDRC Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Top Sportsman, Mick's Towing Services Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Sports Turf Services Modified Bike, Top Sportsman and Wallace Bishop Loyal Watches Junior Dragster.
Till next time stay safe. Terry Dale