Graeme Spencer took out his fourth Super Gas Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Championship on a tie-break over defending champion Colin Griffin. He is the first four-time winner for the Super Gas bracket.

How did you get into drag racing?

It was about 1983, I was 17, and I went along to the street drags at Calder Park Raceway with my mate. His name is Brian Poskaitis. I saw Graeme Cooper there. I then went back a week later with my own car, which was a six-cylinder LC Torana. I guess as they say, the rest is history and today I have almost 40 years of drag racing stories.

Why do you choose to compete in the Super Gas category? Do you have plans to try other classes?

I only went to Super Gas because Colin Griffin asked me to go into that class. Previous to that, I raced in the Pro Sedan, 10.90 fixed class. I have no desire to go to any other classes.

What was your favourite event of the 2021/2022 season and why?

It has been a challenging season, we have been wanting to go and wanting to go and then COVID would get in the way, so that slowed us down a little bit, but all in all it came together. Both the Portland and Mildura meetings are my favourites, but especially the recent event at Mildura. The highlight would be running all 6.30s in the elimination rounds and that perfect 6.300 ET in the finals at the eighth-mile track at Mildura.

Image at top credit to Automotive Event Images. Image above credit to Mark Brereton/Sunraysia Street and Strip

Now that some time has passed, has it sunk in that you are not only the 2021/2022 National Champion, but the four-time champion?

I was excited to receive my fourth ANDRA Super Gas Championship trophy and to be the first four-time Super Gas champ. I am quite happy with that I can tell you that! Hopefully no one will forget, I am going to be telling them all about it. I will now be eyeing off claiming a fifth championship!

What does it mean to you to have achieved this amazing feat of four national titles?

I was told when I won my first National title in the 2005/2006 season that I should enjoy it as this might be the only one that I will ever win. That in itself was an amazing achievement, but to win two, and then three and now a fourth is dedication. You don’t win races sitting at home on the couch.

Tell us about your plans to go for number five.

We will be back for the next season and I am planning on bringing back my Commodore. I will be going everywhere Super Gas does and giving it a go! Hell yeah (I will be going for five)! I am the first four-time Super Gas Australian champion and I want to be the first five-time champion too, so I will definitely be giving it a whirl!

How confident are you of being able to secure a fifth?

I’m not, but I will go to every meeting I can. I won’t be sitting home on the couch dreaming about it. I will be trying hard.

What was the highlight of your season aside from taking out the title?

Just being able to go racing again. The car was stuck in Sydney for six months during Covid lock down. I was unable to travel to pick it up, so to be back racing was just great.

Who would you like to thank for the roles they have played in your title season?

My wife Karen, who is my crew chief, and my children Jordan and Kylie who make up the full crew. All of the Super Gas competitors, ANDRA, Summit Racing Equipment, South Coast Raceway and the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association, SAAS Australia, my long-time engine builder Hans Van Dyke, my long time transmission builder Greg Varady and Super Gas runner and long-time mate, Colin Griffin for everything he has done for me.