Day one of the ANDRA Grand Finals at the 52nd MacTrack Westernationals has set the stage for what is sure to be an epic day of racing to decide the 2022/2023 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Championships tomorrow at the Perth Motorplex.
More than 220 racers lined up at the ‘Plex today for qualifying, with Decoglaze Glass Splashback Top Qualifiers celebrated in the following Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series categories: Seth Jarvis (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Stephanie Gullotto (Super Street), Simon Barlow (Modified), Jason Stares (Top Sportsman), Alan Mahnkoph (Supercharged Outlaws), Daniel Natalotto (Competition Bike), Adrian Vella (Super Stock) and Craig Geddes (Competition).
Meanwhile, recent JD graduate Brodie Zappia and Chris Allen are currently leading the way in the Super Sedan and Modified Bike qualifying respectively ahead of a third and final qualifier for these brackets to be held Sunday morning.
Seth Jarvis was ecstatic to top qualify in one of the biggest events on the racing calendar.
“It is amazing to be the top qualifier, I can’t believe that I have top qualified at one of the biggest meets of the year!” Jarvis grinned.
“The day has gone well. The car has been running consistently all day and my lights have been consistent. Everything pretty much went well.
“I am scared but confident about the racing tomorrow – with 22 cars this is one of the biggest fields I have ever raced in.
“I would like to thank my dad, my brother Tyler, Scurry, Ian Board, my sponsors Creative Patios, and all of the people that help around the pits and all of the racers. Good luck to everyone tomorrow!”
Stephanie Gullotto, who was also the Super Street Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier at the Goldenstates in November, was another racer exceptionally pleased with how today has unfolded.
“I am on a bit of a streak, it has been pretty good with most meets lately getting the top qualifier, so that is definitely nice,” Gullotto said.
“It has been a pretty good day; I can’t really complain! There were a few racers which were all sort of fighting for that top spot, so I am pretty stoked that we managed to secure it.
“I am feeling pretty good heading into tomorrow, and I am pretty excited that the hot weather we had during the week has decided to leave us alone for the weekend, which makes it much more bearable in the car.
“I am feeling pretty confident, the car was driving well today and my reactions were pretty good, so I am feeling pretty okay going into the racing.
“Thank you to my sponsors SCM Race Engines and Tile Boutique, and a big thank you to my husband Matt for organising the car and getting everything ready for it, and to my crew, family and friends that come and support us.
“Good luck to all of the racers and hopefully, the crowd can enjoy a really good show!”
In Supercharged Outlaws, Alan Mahnkoph (pictured) is in the box seat for the Supercharged Outlaws Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series title and got his weekend off to the best possible spot by claiming the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier Medallion for his bracket.
“It was a really good day, we ran to our normal routine, and I have all of my original crew that I have had for all the years here with me and everyone knows what they are doing, and it has been great,” Mahnkoph said.
“We have got some good data for the rest of the weekend and hopefully it all goes the right way and we should do quite well.
“The car seems happy, the atmosphere seems good, we will just keep moving forward and see what Sunday brings.
“Thank you to my sponsors, Bennco Group, Alan Eriksson Builder, Jazinet and Bodmec Maintenance Solutions, and all my crew and family, Blue, Bill, Chris, Lisa, Allan, Max and Steven.
“I am looking forward to another day at the track tomorrow where all my friends catch up and we go racing together, it is really good.”
Also taking to the track at the Perth Motorplex on Saturday was qualifying for the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship and the Australian Drag Racing Championship (ADRC) Top Doorslammers and Top Fuel Motorcycles. Topping qualifying for those categories were Wayne Newby, John Zappia and Benny Stevens respectively.
For results from today’s action at the Perth Motorplex, please click here
The ANDRA Grand Final / MacTrack Westernationals action at the Perth Motorplex will continue tomorrow (Sunday March 5) with the final rounds of qualifying for Super Sedan and Modified Bike at 11.50am local time, before racing commences from 12.19pm. For full event information and schedules, please go to https://motorplex.com.au/52nd-westernationals/
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
PHOTO THANKS TO HIGH OCTANE PHOTOS