South Australia’s Peter and Brock Furlanetto were on track at the Perth Motorplex at the weekend for the Burson Auto Parts 50th annual Goldenstates and are now travelling back across the country to Victoria’s South Coast Raceway for next weekend’s South Coast Nationals.
The December 7-8 event at the Portland facility will mark round four of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, less than two weeks after round three (November 22-23) in WA.
It is a huge undertaking of many kilometres for the father and son outfit and their supporting team as they look to chase the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship in the Super Sedan Competitors’ Super Sedan and Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster brackets, but it is one that Peter says is more than worth it.
“It is a big challenge with a lot of Ks and a lot of work getting the cars ready, but to see the smiles on the kids’ faces makes it all worthwhile,” Peter said.
“When they are racing, and even when they just out of the cars playing, it is great to see the fun they are having and to see the camaraderie they all have together – it is just fantastic to see and it makes all the work and the expenditure and travel worth it.
“It is great to see the kids carrying on the drag racing tradition too and the lessons they learn as part of the sport.”
11-year-old Brock is enjoying his second season of racing, following in the footsteps of his dad.
“I really enjoy racing, it is a lot of fun, and I am excited to hopefully win my first trophy soon,” Brock said.
“I got pretty far in Perth to be fourth out of 25 Junior Dragsters which is pretty cool, it is very competitive, so I am feeling good heading to Portland.
“I have raced there before and I really like it there.”
Peter is also feeling confident heading to South Coast Raceway.
“I have raced at South Coast Raceway several times and have set two PBs there in the past. The track is always fantastic, so as long as we have the car on-song I am feeling very confident that we can go well there, and it is great to see Brock full of confidence too after how well he did at the Goldenstates,” Peter said.
“For either of us to win next weekend would be phenomenal, we would be ecstatic, but as long as we are having fun and I can see that smile on his face, it doesn’t matter what the results are.
“Trophies aren’t why we go racing, we go racing to enjoy the time together, but it would be pretty fantastic to win and for me to see Brock get his first trophy in particular would be really special. I would also like to try and see if we can get him to be top five in the points by the season’s end, and I think we are looking pretty good so far following the weekend.
“He isn’t just impressing us either – his school principal rang while we were away in Perth and I thought we were in trouble for missing school! Turns out he wants Brock to bring in his dragster to the last assembly of the year and talk to the kids about his racing and what you can achieve when you give things a go, so that is exciting also that he is getting that recognition.”
As they get ready to journey to Portland, Peter was keen to single out some important people for their support of himself and Brock.
“We race and pit with the Hawke family of Adam, Melissa and Bailey and they help us no end,” Peter said.
“Sometimes with the schedule it is hard as Super Sedan and Junior Dragster line up close to each other, and I have to race back to try and be there for Brock.
“Adam runs Brock’s car for me if I can’t make it and the whole family are a huge support for us, if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be anywhere near we are now with Brock’s racing, so I want to say a huge thank you to them.
“Thank you also to the Raschella family of Anthony, Kylie-Jo and Lawrence, they were also in Perth and gave us a massive amount of support and help; as well as Tony, Brodie and Jodie Tedesco who also help us out a lot; and of course, I must also say thank you to my main crew guy, Benjamin Scott, for all he does.”
For results from the Goldenstates action at the Perth Motorplex, please click here
The South Coast Nationals will be held at Portland’s South Coast Raceway on December 7 and 8. For event info, go to www.southcoastraceway.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au