If 21 year old Shane Weston can take the Competition Eliminator honours at the 43rd Westernationals, locals might just unofficially rename the event the “Weston-nationals” such is the growing support in the stands for the Byford boy.
“The Westerns is the one to win. I have been trying now for 13 years and only ever managed to top qualify once in my Junior Dragster. I have three runners up. With my surname Weston; ‘Weston wins Westerns’, it just has the right ring to it,” he says with a smile.
“It (the support) feels fantastic. I feel very honoured and proud, but I can’t take all the credit I’m just the driver. If it wasn’t for my family and my crew it would not be possible.”
The Westernationals doubles as round three of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship and alongside the electrifying Top Fuel and Top Doorslammer categories of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, fans will be treated to a deep Comp Eliminator field featuring dragsters, funny cars, altereds and sedans all vying a spot in the 16 car face off.
Weston’s most recent runner up placing at the event came last year and he is taking it round by round to go one better in 2014. Currently the 43rd edition of the Westerns is shaping up as a stellar field of WA talent in Comp Eliminator including Rob Pilkington, Adam Marchant, Craig Glassby, Kyle Putland, Alistair McClure and David DeQuen.
“The whole field is going to be challenging, just qualifying will be the main goal and then round by round from there,” he said.
By day Weston works as a diesel fitter at Prompt Equipment Hire in Kelmscott. By night “Shane Weston after dark” comes to life working away on his real passion in the family work shop till all hours rebuilding his dragster beast.
After stepping up to full Top Alcohol specifications this season, Weston Racing has experienced a quick learning curve to get the car running consistently fast times.
The recent Pro Showdown in Perth saw Weston top qualify by three thousandths of a second from six time Top Alcohol champion Gary Phillips with a 5.562 at 252.80mph (407kph). He made his way through to the semi-finals before losing to Craig Glassby.
“That boosted the whole team spirit. We knew the car had these times in it, but wasn’t expecting to be there this quickly.”
“No changes have been made with the combo (for the Westernationals). It will be left the same to see if we can repeat from the Top Alcohol round.”
“We will be down our tuner Aidan Duncan whom has just had back surgery, and is not allowed to fly so we will be tuning over the phone which will make things a little harder on the team.”
Even if the team are tuning via video calls, Shane Weston will be one to watch at the Westernationals as a rising star of the sport.
Competition Eliminator qualifying is scheduled for Friday night (Feb 28) and Saturday afternoon (Mar 1). Eliminators commence Sunday afternoon (Mar 2).
For more information about the 43rd Westernationals please visit: www.motorplex.com.au.
Image courtesy Phil Luyer / High Octane Photos