After a long history of helping others gain success on the race track, Dean Whisson is now making his own way and is hoping to strike success at this weekend’s Goldenstates event at his home track of the Perth Motorplex.
The Goldenstates event (November 24/25) will feature the latest round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, as well as Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol and Top Fuel Motorcycle action.
After 30 years of crewing on group one and group two race cars, Whisson started dabbling in racing himself in 2018 before achieving a new milestone when he towed out to the track for the 50th Westernationals in 2021 in his very own group 3 car with his family there to help.
“I had a lot of fun and a lot of highlights over those decades, including working on the Marriott Pro Stock Camira and also being a part of Stuart Rowland’s team as he ran the first five in AA/FC trim,” Whisson explained.
“Naturally I had the bug to go drag racing myself, and so I started out with Wednesday night racing in 2018, before modifying the car into what we have today to make our first proper competitive debut at the Westernationals in 2021.”
Since then, Whisson and the team at his workshop, Engine Machining Services, have continually been evolving his Toyota Hilux 3RZ, following on from building the racing machine completely in-house, including the engine machining through to the flywheel, bellhousing, manifolds, and cage.
“It is not exactly the ideal combo for the class currently and it is still early days for us learning what the car wants and what the driver wants to do, but we are absolutely loving the challenge,” Whisson said.
Whisson has so far raced at two Westernationals and two Goldenstates events, and is now hoping that some recent success will provide momentum into this weekend’s Goldenstates.
“At the WA season opener in late October, we managed to equal our best Elapsed Time,” explained Whisson, who also towed over for the Dragway at The Bend’s Spring Nationals, noting it was “fantastic to be a part of.”
“We had some injector issues that shortened that event for us, but it was a step in the right direction and with a quick freshen up of the engine and fuel system ready for this weekend, we are confident of making a good showing at what is expected to be a huge event.
“We are very happy to be a part of it all; at this stage of our racing winning a round feels huge for us, so to think about how we would feel if we were to win the event, well it would just be astronomical.
“We will be giving it our all, that is for sure.
“I have to thank everyone at Engine Machining Services, and my two boys Sam and Jack. Sam tuned the car and does most of the engine bay fabrication and all of the wiring, while Jack takes care of the chutes and tyres and then helps strap me in.
“I also must mention my wife Robyn, who puts up with our crazy hobby and makes sure we don’t go hungry. Thank you, Robyn!”
The 49th Goldenstates will be held at the Perth Motorplex across November 24 and 25, featuring not only the latest round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series but also NDRC racing for Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol and Top Fuel Motorcycle. For event information, visit www.motorplex.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
PHOTO THANKS TO HIGH OCTANE PHOTOS