26 October 2011
No longer a dark horse, Rob Pilkington has become the man everybody wants to beat when he races at Perth Motorplex.
With the Force Equipment/Alutech Monte Carlo recently taking out its third Top Comp state championship in four years last season, there is no doubt that other teams have their sights set on knocking off the record setting Funny Car.
“There’s a lot of teams out there that have the capability to get to the top but I think staying there is the trick,” Pilkington said. “Hopefully that’s something we’re able to do again this season.”
Pilkington has not been resting on his laurels during the Motorplex off season, instead doing some racing on the East Coast where he made it to the semi finals of Top Alcohol at Australia’s biggest drag racing event, the Winternationals in Queensland.
“That was a real confidence booster; to first qualify as strongly as we did and then to go through to the semis, that means we are capable of delivering good performances not just in WA but on other tracks too,” he said.
That Top Alcohol experience will be invaluable come November when the team competes in round two of the 2011/2012 championship at Perth Motorplex.
“It’s great that we have a round of Top Alcohol back at the Motorplex and we’re really keen to put on a good show for the fans,” Pilkington said. “It should be a really strong field turning up to race and it will give us the chance to go all out.”
Pilkington said the cool November conditions could see the quickest ever Top Alcohol performances at the Motorplex.
“Often the conditions get hot and tricky at the Motorplex but with some night sessions of qualifying and night eliminations too I think the times will be very quick,” he said. “Look for the top qualifier to be in the 5.5s and the winner to be running at least consistent 5.6s, hopefully that is us!”
Pilkington and the Force Equipment/Alutech team will be racing this Saturday at Perth Motorplex where the main program fires up from 6pm.