One of the most iconic Top Doorslammers in the country returns to active competition this weekend at the Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway along with one of its fan favourite drivers.
In recent years Debbie and Grant O’Rourke have been campaigning their Top Alcohol Funny Car around the country, but for Debbie the big focus was returning to the Top Doorslammer ranks with their famed HK Monaro.
Six years ago husband Grant had his last ride in the Monaro, focusing on tuning duties with Debbie’s Funny Car activities. This weekend though he, and the team’s HK Monaro, will return to active duty.
“I’ve got a relatively minor medical procedure to undertake in the next few weeks, so while I was scheduled to make the car’s debut, it’s all down to Grant now,” Debbie said.
“It may be the same car, but Grant’s 1320 Race Car business has revised it dramatically with a new four-link rear end, a revised 511ci supercharged powerplant and a whole range of other changes that will make it more competitive with the current field.
“We’re under no illusions that it will take us a little time to get back up to speed in Top Doorslammer but it’s not too different in many ways to the setup of the Funny Car we’ve been running the last couple of seasons, and in fact, it will be easier to drive.”
Debbie is disappointed that she won’t get the chance to drive the Monaro, at least in its initial return.
“Yeah, I am disappointed, but I think there’s a lot of people that are looking forward to seeing Grant back behind the wheel,” she said. “It will be good for him too, because our program involves getting both the Doorslammer and the Funny Car up to championship winning level over the next couple of seasons.
“We know it will be no easy ride, but if we just keep chipping away at it, there’s no reason why we can’t be competing for round wins every event.”
Whilst Grant’s return to the wheel of the popular Australian ‘muscle car’ will attract plenty of attention in Sydney this weekend, the gorgeous new V8 Nights livery will ensure that the O’Rouke Doorslammer will be a popular destination for the fans in the pits.
“V8 Nights have joined us for our return to Doorslammers, and as a result we have a gorgeous new blue and black livery which will grab plenty of attention,” Debbie said.
“I’m very excited to have Dave Viola and his team on board. V8 Nights debuted earlier in the year with Jamie Noonan, who I compete against in Top Alcohol, so we were well aware of their fantastic events, so I know what a great operation they are and we’re looking forward to working with them.
“As an event, V8 Nights is outstanding, it has really added another level of excitement to the V8 Supercar weekends with the opportunity for fans and corporates to be entertained by some of the greats of the sport in a relaxed environment with first class catering and entertainment.”
As for goals for the Australian Nationals, the main aim is simply to make the race day show in one of the world’s toughest motorsport fields.
“Honestly, our aim this weekend is to qualify,” Debbie admitted. “This is one of the best fields anywhere in the world and they’re all so competitive. For us we have some work to do to dial the car in, but given that there has been a bit of a break since the most recent round of Top Doorslammers, and with limited testing opportunities, we’re hoping that everyone is a little relaxed and we might catch them napping – we’ll see how it goes.”
The Australian Nationals take place this weekend at Sydney Dragway.
Image thanks to Joe Maday.