Shane Wynd and Jess Turner have been here before and will draw on their experience in an attempt to claim the Australian Modified Championship at Sydney Dragway next week.
The Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship will come to a head at the Australian Nationals with 10 of the 11 Championships still up for grabs.
Wynd and Turner are separated by just 20 points with a number of competitors nipping at their heals on 200 points and in with a shot to steal a famous against the odds victory.
If it hadn’t been for a trip to the hospital for a painfully obstructed bowel stemming from an appendix operation in his 20s along with the gluten free diet, Wynd may have been further ahead in the points chase.
“After my exit from Mildura with a trip to the hospital and no points earned it has put the title up for everyone,” said Championship leader Wynd.
“All of the racers in contention are good racers so its up to who goes the furthest.
I have had success in Sydney in my Super Sedan Ute, and it is very similar to the (Perth) Motorplex so I have good data. We just need to make it all come together.”
Turner feels the same way when it comes to assessing the field particularly when looking at the car next to hers in the pits.
“All four of the other contenders could claim it, although I’d be watching my Fuchs Lubricants teammate Kenny Stewart,” she predicted.
“He has been in this situation before and taken it out. Dyson has also had a few unlucky meetings and once everything falls into place I think he’ll be one to watch too.”
Like Stewart, both Wynd and Turner have experience in this scenario and neither driver is taking the opportunity for granted ensuring an intense battle for supremacy.
“I’ve been in this situation before, however last year I didn’t get a chance to contest the final so this year we are going for it,” said Turner.
“Although in saying that, we aren’t going to change anything we do. We need to stay calm and relaxed, keep our routines.
“We will be aiming to win the meeting and if we can do that then the rest falls into place around it.”
“It doesn’t get any easier but it certainly helps to have experienced it all before,” explains Wynd.
“I also lost a Super Sedan Championship due to a work accident where I snapped my wrist badly three weeks before and couldn’t race at the Winters. I don’t want this to happen again after the trip to hospital in Mildura.
“Since Dial Before You Dig NSW/ACT have come back on board with the wrap on the dragster and trailer we are looking for the finish they deserve in front of the Sydney crowd.
“A good result will also determine the amount of travel we can do next year and the funding we raise to attend these meetings.”
Don’t miss the action as titles will be decided and Champions will be crowned when the season deciding Australian Nationals take over Sydney Dragway October 31 – November 2.
Qualifying for the Aerolfow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship gets underway on Friday October 31st from 9am with eliminations to commence from 10am on Saturday November 1 and continue through Sunday November 2 from 9:45am.
For more information including ticketing please click here.
Images courtesy: Bob Taylor