Caan Childs is racing against the clock to be ready to line up in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Competition Eliminator field at the Fuchs Winternationals June 4-7.
You might remember Childs from such Fuchs Winternationals moments as the Modified final in 2014 when his Crew Chief came away with a pair of singed eyebrows following a big backfire through the injector hat.
“I had only been racing for three or four months and so we had absolutely no expectations, our goal was to win a race Sunday,” explains Childs.
“We fully expected to be back in Emerald Sunday night so to make the final was, and looking back, still is very overwhelming. We knew we had hurt something crossing the line in the semi so we got back to the pit ASAP to try and get it sorted to get out and at least except the green in the final – another thing I learnt that night.
“We had all of Anthony Buckley’s crew there helping us, even his wife was rolling up our chute! His dragster was the inspiration for the engine and class we are racing now. It was awesome considering I had only met them early that week when I gave them a hand to change a front-runner on his dragster.
“So anyway we made it to the start line and hoped for the best. Mark Hope my Crew Chief was in the unfortunate position and lost his eyebrows, but all good and he still cops it wherever we go racing now!
“I guess I was more worried about oiling the track for everyone else then not running the final as we were just stoked to even be there and experience what we did.”
Since then Childs has stepped up to Comp Eliminator (or Super Comp in his local CQDRA Championship) where he recently blew an engine at Benaraby Raceway putting his Winternationals campaign in doubt.
“Its been a massive learning curve for our crew from Emerald going to a Pro Stock engine but I’ve been pretty lucky with all the boys at home, Omar Sedmak and now Rob Tucker who have all been only too happy to help in anyway they can.
Childs and his team tried desperately to get the necessary parts for their Jenkins 500 ci but fell short with the time restraint.
“Just as we thought this year was over we came across another engine Rob Tucker had and was selling,” continues Childs.
“So long story short Dad and myself raced to Brisbane Friday and picked it up off Rob Tucker and went back to Emerald Saturday, this week will be spent putting her in the dragster before heading back to Brisbane early next week for initial fire up and tune under Rob Tucker’s watchful eye. Truly can’t say enough about Rob to have such a legend take the time he has to help out a backyard set up from the bush.
“This would be every racers week leading up to the Winters and this is why we love drag racing so much. We have only been doing it a little over a year now but the people we have met and continue to meet such as Rob are what makes this sport such a privilege to be a part of.”
The Fuchs Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway June 4-7 will be four days of high octane action featuring over 500 racers across the six ANDRA Drag Racing Series Group One categories and 12 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series brackets.
Tickets are on sale online now – including discounted pre-purchase only tickets. Looking to bring the family? Don’t forget that children aged 13 and under gain free admission, while students with ID and Concession Card Holders can access discounted entry (terms and conditions apply).
For more information including race scheduling please visit the event page here.
Image courtesy: dragphotos.com.au