Chris Tait’s recent record smasher at Willowbank Raceway in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series wasn’t just a new Australian CC/SC speed record; he also became the world’s quickest 3RZ-powered vehicle.
It’s widely known racers in Super Compact just want to go fast and the strategy of protecting the index is often cast aside in the quest to be the quickest and fastest in the world.
Tait achieved that by resetting the national CC/SC terminal speed to 207.91 mph, a long way up from the previous record held by Domenic Rigoli of 198.03 mph. His amazing 6.741 ET in Round 2 of the event was also the quickest single pass in the world but unfortunately it wasn’t backed up within the required one per cent for a new national record.
“To be honest we’ve known the car had this potential for over a year, we just had to sort a few issues,” said Tait.
“So the feeling was more of a relief, that we hadn’t been wasting our time.”
When asked what felt better, the record or the win, the choice is easy for Tait who took a solo pass in the final to secure victory.
“I’d have to say the record (felt better). If I had to race the final, instead of running a solo I’d change my answer.
“I enjoyed the two races I had, even after I made it harder than it needed to be. Running 6.9 on a 7.3 index first round solo, what can I say? I don’t like solos. At least by smashing the index, no one could say I had it easy with a solo first round.”
Not competing at the Nitro Champs, the next time we see Tait on track in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series will be the Fuchs Winternationals June 4-7 at Willowbank Raceway. But before that he hopes to take another giant step forward toward the mid six second zone.
“One of the goals for 2015 stated on our sponsorship proposal to MTQ / SONIC; ‘we need to run consistent 6.8’s at the Winternationals. Now the goal is consistent 6.7’s. We’ll be back at the track on May 16 after making a few changes, all going well the boards will show a 6.6.”
Image courtesy: dragphotos.com.au