One of the most intriguing battles looming at the Australian Nationals is the explosive ten-team battle royale to decide the Australian Supercharged Outlaws Championship.
Only one competitor, South Australian Mark Kuhn, has reached the 300-point maximum allowed in the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship going into the grand finale.
But defending Champion Luke Marsden is just 20 points behind followed by Rodney Hansen and Paul Stephen on 270 points, Matt Watts on 250, Jake Donnelly with 240, Doina Day and Ryan van Dyk on 220 and Chris Van’t Hof and Justin Russell rounding out the contenders on 210 points.
Luke Marsden has been hitting form at just the right time finishing runner up in each of his last two race meetings. But of the eight completed events this season, no one has secured multiple victories, while some including Kuhn and Marsden come into the Nationals without a round win this year.
Some of the combatants share their thoughts with ANDRA.com.au ahead of the drama and excitement to take place at Sydney Dragway October 31 – November 2.
Paul Stephen (currently 4th)
“What will it take to win? First of all a little luck always comes in handy. You will need a healthy and consistent car come eliminations.
“Then it’s up to me to cut that tree down. Drag racing is a one-lane sport if I can get my stuff together i.e. dial in and cut a light, we will be a pretty good chance.
“All nine guys and girls are chance. We went in to the 2011 and 2012 finals at Willowbank on 220 points from memory and almost won the championship in 2011.
“We made the final against Luke Marsden but the rain came and that was the end of that. In 2012 we came up one or two rounds short. So close but that’s racing.
“This year you would think that Mark Kuhn on the max 300 points would have to be favourite, then you have got the current champion Luke Marsden on 280 so it is going to be very interesting that’s for sure.”
Jake Donnelly (currently 6th)
“Its going to take a lot to win this outlaws Championship, with nine people that can currently take out the gold I will have to be on the ball every pass because everyone that can take it out are sharp racers.
“To be honest our strategy is just to run our own race, and not put the pressure on ourselves, take it one race at a time and hopefully that will get us through to the end.
Basically everyone that is in front of us in the points is the biggest hurdle, it will be a tough Championship to win, and whoever does win it will deserve it because there is eight other tough competitors just as hungry as we are to get it.”
Ryan Van Dyk (currently 8th)
“Well we are 80 points off the lead so for us to win the Championship its going to take the mother of all ‘Bradbury’s’.
“Hopefully qualifying works out so we face one or two of the leaders in the first two rounds, that would give us the best shot!
“We’ll just be focusing on trying to win Australia’s most prestigious race. The Nationals, there is one of them beautiful Gold Christmas trees up for grabs so that will be where our focus lies.
“Luke Marsden would have to be the favourite for my money, he has the runs on the board, he’s a drivers driver and has the most consistent car in the field, will take some beating!”
Doina Day (currently 7th)
“It’ll take a good car, a good reaction and good luck. We’ll be doing the same as always, have fun!
“Just race me and the track, not my opponent. Everyone is equal on race day.”
Mark Kuhn (currently 1st)
“As a team (K’n’L Racing) we have already exceeded our expectations as Outlaw competitors in our first season by finishing clear by 20 points in the Championship hunt.
“To finish 20 points (at 300 allowable) clear of the current number 1 SCO Luke Marsden is pretty cool. Luke is an awesome competitor and a real nice bloke. We managed to take Luke out in Round 2 in Alice with a holeshot and perfect package. He was the first to acknowledge my drive and win on the return road and did so very nicely.
“Our strategy going to the Nationals in Sydney is the same as every other meeting, prepare well, consistency, do our best and have a good time. Get through Round 1 and see what happens.
“With such a great field of racers nominated, many of whom we have made great friendships with throughout the season, I view every single entrant as a challenge.
“The biggest hurdle to our team winning its first Aeroflow round is winning Round 1 and then I guess its up to a great team effort going forward and anything Is possible! A little bit of luck on the day would also be cool.”
Luke Marsden (currently 2nd)
“A mistake free weekend is what will be needed; the way the Championship works it basically all boils down to this one race weekend.
“I will just try and continue to do my normal thing, regardless if it’s qualifying or first round, I treat every run I do in the car as if it is a final round. That way when we get to weekends like this it’s just the norm.
“Anyone with 200-plus points can win this championship, but you’ve got to remember that there are 23 other cars in the 32 car field that will be there and capable of winning the Australian Nationals. So regardless of who’s in the other lane, we all want to put that win light on.”
Don’t miss the action as titles will be decided and Champions will be crowned when the season deciding Australian Nationals take over Sydney Dragway October 31 – November 2.
Qualifying for the Aerolfow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship gets underway on Friday October 31st from 9am with eliminations to commence from 10am on Saturday November 1 and continue through Sunday November 2 from 9:45am.
For more information including ticketing please click here.
Images courtesy: Bob Taylor, dragphotos.com.au