The season opening of the newly crowned Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series kicked off on Saturday at Fuchs South Coast Raceway with competitor entries of over 135 fighting for championship points.

Since last season Fuchs South Coast Raceway has undergone a major upgrade of the racing surface, the track is now concrete which includes upgraded safety catch nets.

Even with only a few meetings run on the new surface, the positive feedback from the drivers was greatly welcomed by the South Coast Drag Racing Association, with an unbelievable 86 personal bests recorded in qualifying ranging from quick 60 foot times and even some teams cutting off a full tenth from their ET.

 

Super Comp

Eight cars made qualifing runs in Super Comp, headed by Craig Geddes in his new B/D running an incredible .402 under 4.547 in only the second event for the new dragster. Daniel Camilleri’s DD/GA Pontiac also impressed with a.395 under 4.894. In addition to the Competition Eliminnator and Super Stock heavy hitters, recently crowned Super Compact National Champion Dom Rigoli also was in attendance, but was unable to put down a representative pass.

Top Sportsman

Top Sportsman made it’s debut as a National Championship bracket at this weeknd’s Summit Racing Equipment Spotsman Series event, and the nine cars were headed by South Australian Paul Russo in his big block 57 Chev, putting down an impressive 4.824 at 144mph. Julien Carafa’s gorgeous 41 Willys Coupe was second quickest with a 5.06 at 136mph.

Supercharged Outlaws

Qualifying has not been completed in Supercharged Outlaws, but in a field that includes 2014 National Champion Doina Day running a 4.42, Paul Stephen (4.40), Ryan Van Dyk (4.46), Shaun Kirkman (4.62) and Justin Russell (4.55) there will be some tough racing. Qualifying will be completed this morning.

Modified Bike

It seems every time Rob Cassar is at the track it’s on a different motorbike. He took his Kawasaki Z900 to a best of 5.596 at 121.97MPH during qualifying. Local Warrnambool Drags club president Tony Frost was on the ball all day pushing his new Suzuki bike to personal bests, off the trailer it laid down a blistering 5.023 at 137.07 mph. Frost said there was more in the bike but was more focused on making it consistent for eliminations tomorrow.

Super Street

Local country man Chris King in his purple Ford Capri said the field was very competitive as it featured season champions and teams that go the extra mile to be competitive however that didn’t stop him from running super consistent himself. His best time of the day was 7.109 at 97.05 mph. Fuchs South Coast Raceway commentator Gregory Holland was among the consistent entries whilst switching between the mic and the wheel.

Super Sedan

Last seasons Super Sedan champion John Kapiris was on the money for his first run off the trailer, with a 0.011 reaction time and a respectful 6.198 at 109.94 mph. Other highlights in the class included Vlado Turic from South Australia in his Ford MKII Cortina snapping up a perfect reaction time. Local racer Tim Parker was testing his new combo, his best time of the day was 6.192 at 112.74 mph. Jeff Fitzgerald heads the field with a 5.411.

Modified

Among the 16 entries in the class saw Leanne Braggs back in the hot seat after some recovery time on the sidelines after a scary crash last season at Mildura. Her best time of the day was a snappy 4.583 at 150.82 mph. Highlights in the class was local Chris Farrell who was consistently laying down 4.7 passes. Kenny Stewart almost managed a perfect RT with a 0.005, with a best of 4.744 at 144.63 mph. Jayden Talbot’s sensational 396 CHev powered front engine dragster leads the field with a 4.56.

Junior Dragster

Season champion Toby Austin was on track to defend the title in the Junior Dragster class, his time was 8.021 at 81.66mph. Secod was Jake Cartledge with a 8.14 and Jordan Spencer ran third with a 8.79 at 73.79mph.

Super Gas

Super Gas had one of its largest fields ever at Fuchs South Coast Raceway with 18 entries, including Matt Forbes the two time national champion. Forbes had his stunningly presented Ford Roadster on the money in qualifying with an almost perfect time in Q2 of 6.302 at 130.76 mph. Long time Super Gas racer Bruno Romeo put his beautiful Pontiac into the sand, but damage appeared to be superficial.

Eliminations for Round 1 of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series get underway on Sunday from 10am.

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Image courtesy: Jesse Kelly, Dragpix