6 September 2011
Launceston's Shane Walker will this weekend commence the first leg of his quest for a National Drag Racing Championship. Over the next ten months Walker will compete at five of the six rounds of the Rocket Allstars Racing Series on his Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Destroyer.
The first leg is the Australian Nationals in Sydney, the second largest Drag Racing event held outside the U.S.A and the countries most prestigious and sort after titles. Then it’s off to Brisbane in January for the New Years’ Series before returning to Sydney for the March round and again for the Nitro Champs in May. He will skip the Western Nationals WA round in March, the distance and expense just too high. He will then return to Brisbane for the season ending Winternationals in June.
“Logistically it is a nightmare” said Shane. “I have to base the bike and trailer in Melbourne, as the cost to travel back and forth on the Spirit is just too expensive.” “If it wasn’t for the support of fellow racers on the mainland who store the bike and trailer for me and help get them to events, my sponsor Tassie Choppers, and employer FRM Toyota it just wouldn’t be possible” said Shane. Basically the bike has to be serviced and readied for the next event as soon as I am eliminated, before I fly home, he added.
Walker is no stranger to competition on the big island, having spent two seasons competing in the sports premier motorcycle class in 2005 and 2006. Success enjoyed at national events last season, his first back after a two and a half year hiatus prompted his decision to chase the championship seriously this season. “I would love to do the Perth W.A round, but the distance and cost is just too much to justify, so hopefully I can be in the points race by attending five events and make the long haul to Brisbane for the Winters’ worthwhile.”
Competing in the “Modified Bike” class where riders must nominate the time they expect to cover the quarter mile in and are handicapped accordingly Walker will have to out tune and out race around 40 of the countries best riders every meeting. With points allocated for each round win and up to 6 rounds per meeting “The key is to consistently go rounds” he said. “Being eliminated early really puts you behind the eight ball” he added.