13 Spetember 2011

Records were meant to be broken on the weekend as more track records tumbled at Hidden Valley Drag Strip.

After competing across Australia, Outlaw competitors Bronte Henning and Craig Davis both set personal bests at their home track in Darwin.

Davis was quick right off the trailer, running a 7.109 at 195mph, but it didn’t stop there. He followed on with a 7.097 to take the top qualifying position.

Davis continued his form throughout the night, making it to the finals where he defeated Derreck Sperrer with a 7.070 at 197mph.  It was also enough to net the official ET and MPH track records for SS/AA.

Henning provided some solid passes, even with unusually short burnouts due to no reverse gear. He secured a 6.892 at 200.68mph and 6.831 at 203.40mph to also put his name to the official track records for SC/S.

But it wasn’t all about the quick times, the 2011 Track Championship Series at Hidden Valley Drag Strip is going to come down to the wire after several consistent competitors were pushed out of the finals.

Current Modified Bike series leader, Dave Denner, failed to make the finals after being defeated by Heath Costello in the second round of the night. Costello went on to win with a 9.240 on a 9.20 dialin against Colin Sainsbury. This leaves the Modified Bike bracket with five potential winners going into the Season Finale on the 24 September.

In Street Bike, Geoff Hawkins again took out the win, this time against Mark Tattingham. Hawkins ran a 11.613 on an 11.40 dialin while Tattingham managed a 11.068 on an 10.80 dialin. Hawkins has made the winners podium in four of the last five rounds, giving himself an unassailable lead over the next closest rival, Darren Savage.

The Super Toyworld Junior Dragsters saw another upset with current series leader Jodie Coles being defeated in the first round by Caitlin Burt. Rookies Madison Sperrer and Jack Burt went head to head in the finals, Sperrer taking her first ever career win.

In other brackets, Greg Reed defeated hot favourite, Bob Czerniawski in the Street Car class while Shaun Boyer took down Brett Francis in TheHeat in Super Street.

Super Sedan was another upset with Allan Arthus failing to make the finals. Instead, 2011 rookie Tony Gray took out the win against Grant Radcliffe after Radcliffe red lit.  Gray finished with an 11.102 on a 10.99 dialin against Radcliffe’s 9.077 on a 9.10 dialin.

Three out of seven brackets going to come down to the wire in two weeks time when the Season Finale is run on Saturday 24 September.