With just one round of the 2011/2012 ANDRA drag racing season remaining, a number of titles will go down to the wire at the Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, June 8-11.
Top Fuel has provided the scene for a dramatic end with Western Australian Damien Harris and his Best Tractor Parts team leading Victorian driver Darren Morgan by just 2.5 points.
Harris recovered from a first round loss at the Pro Series 1000 in Adelaide to win at the Nitro Champs in Sydney, as well as taking bonus points for low time and top speed that elevated him into the number one position.
Morgan’s late season charge has been impressive however, with a win in Adelaide backed up by a runner up in Sydney over the weekend from the AEG Powertools team, who are the reigning champions.
Not out for the count just yet is Sydney’s Andrew Cowin who despite a first round loss at the Nitro Champs remains in third and has a mathematical shot at the title, so long as Harris and Morgan both lose in the first round.
Top Alcohol’s dominant fixture has always been Queenslander Gary Phillips and the Lucas Oils Funny Car shows no signs of ending that streak with a 57.5 point lead over nearest rivals Adam Marchant and Wayne Newby. However like Cowin in Top Fuel, both drivers requires Phillips to not qualify or go out in the first round to have a chance.
Four times Top Doorslammer champion John Zappia is rapidly on his way to a fifth title, despite Peter Kapiris notching up a win against the Fuchs/Procomp team in Sydney. Kapiris would need Zappia to be eliminated in round one in order to gain a shot at the championship.
Pro Stock’s contest should be one of the best of the Winternationals event with six drivers having a chance at the title still. Queensland’s Denis Whiting will be finishing at his home track and holds a narrow lead over South Australia’s Michael Ali. Dave Newcombe, Shane Tucker, Tyronne Tremayne and Jason Hedges are in the hunt too. Amazingly four-times champion Aaron Tremayne, who is currently seventh in the points, will not be within firing range for the series.
Top Bike has already been decided with Chris Matheson wrapping up his championship with one event remaining. Matheson has now stated his goal is to run the first five second pass on a motorcycle in Australia. Chris Porter and Phil Parker meanwhile will be left to duke it out for the second spot.
Pro Stock Motorcycle meanwhile saw a leadership change with Locky Ireland’s Lucas Oils team moving ahead of Maurice Allen and the Milwaukee Tools outfit. Michael Gilbertson and Phil Howard still remain in with a chance also.
The Winternationals takes place on June 8-11 at Willowbank Raceway near Ipswich, Queensland. The full ANDRA drag racing experience will be on show including all pro categories and the best sportsman racers in the nation taking part in the Rocket Allstars Racing Series.
For more information on the Winternationals click here.
To see the full points listings click here.
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Image courtesy Fred Dwyer.