Following the intervention of Mother Nature this evening at the Perth Motorplex, the final day of the 2021/2022 ANDRA Drag Racing Season will be bursting at the seams.

Before the heavens opened to bring a premature close to today’s EGT ANDRA Grand Finals proceedings, opening qualifying was completed for Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, and the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series brackets.

Tomorrow’s schedule will now kick-off from 10.15am, with an extra qualifier for Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle and Top Doorslammer added to the schedule at 2.00pm, ahead of the start of racing later in the afternoon. A full and detailed updated schedule will be released as soon as possible.

At the close of proceedings tonight, the following racers are currently topping the time sheets for their brackets: Wayne Newby (Top Fuel), Daniel Gregorini (Top Doorslammer), Wayne McGuinness (Top Fuel Motorcycle), Brodie Zappia (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Stephanie Gullotto (Super Street), Paul Nieuwhof (Modified Bike), John Kouw (Super Sedan), Kasey McClure (Modified), Collin Davis (Top Sportsman), Alan Mahnkoph (Supercharged Outlaws), Ross Smith (Competition Bike), Steve Norman (Super Stock) and Craig Geddes (Competition).

Stephanie Gullotto was lucky that Super Street was one of three classes (alongside Modified Bike and Super Sedan) which were able to complete two qualifying rounds tonight after she missed the opening session.

“We have had a pretty good day! I didn’t quite make it here in time for the 3.00pm qualifier as I was still at work, but I got here in time to warm it up and then out we went. I was pretty stoked with a .017 reaction time and a 10.009 elapsed time; the car did everything it was supposed to do so hopefully that will set us up for a nice day tomorrow!” Gullotto said.

“We will be trying to keep things nice and consistent tomorrow, and not go into the nines! We don’t want to be running in the nines,” she grinned.

“The event so far has been just awesome. Pulling into the gates this afternoon to see all the cars coming in and the pits so full of life even with the threat of the rain, it was pretty cool to see that.

“I want to send a big shout out to my husband Matt for getting the car here and getting it to do its thing as without him none of it would happen. I also want to thank my crew – Dennis, Carmelo, Nat, Kate and Tiana – and my mother-in-law for cooking, and mum for babysitting! And also, a big thank you to SCM Engines and Sandro. Also a big thanks to the track and all of the event organisers, we are looking forward to what will hopefully be a fantastic event tomorrow.”

Paul Nieuwhof is another who made the most of a second run today to gain an early advantage as he chases a Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifying Medallion, and an ANDRA Christmas Tree, in Modified Bike tomorrow.

“Our first run today was a bit of a non-event, we had a little problem with the clutch when we brought the revs up and dragged it through the staging beams. I thought I would just hit it down the track, but I should have just turned it off and pushed it back, but you know how it is,” he said.

“We went back to the pits after and it was an easy fix, so we went out for the second round and while it was a bit bouncy it went all right. Now we will check over a few things and then stick it in the trailer before coming back tomorrow and trying again!

“It is a pretty good field here. It is good having Shane Walker over from Victoria – we are both Tassie boys – and also other racers like Chris Morgan who may have MS but gets on the bike and gets out there, and also guys like Tony Ambrosini who is back and getting stuck into it after having been away building his Suzuki for a while.

“The atmosphere is really good and it was great to watch Top Fuel go down the track too. Thanks to my wife who is my crew this weekend and doing all the hard work, and also a special mention of my son Luke who is back over from the States at the moment, it is great having him here at the track.”

For results from today’s action at the Perth Motorplex, please click here

The EGT ANDRA Grand Finals at the Perth Motorplex will continue tomorrow (Saturday April 9). For event information including entry lists and full schedules, please go to www.motorplex.com.au

For more information, visit www.andra.com.au

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