Blistering hot conditions at Mildura’s Sunset Strip on Friday, with temperatures reaching the mid-40s, were matched by sizzling performances from more than 150 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series competitors during day one of the 2023 Twilight Nationals.
Three rounds of qualifying were held across the late afternoon and evening for what is the penultimate round of the 2022/2023 championship chase, with a further fourth qualifier to be held Saturday afternoon ahead of the evening’s racing.
At the close of Friday’s proceedings, Jason Wilson (Super Gas), Lachlan Walker (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Brodie Tedesco (Super Street), Jarrod Healeay (Modified Bike), Brendan Carr (Super Sedan), Simon Barlow (Modified), Darren Saliba (Top Sportsman), Lucas Woodburn (Supercharged Outlaws), Jake Hamilton-Moderate (Competition Bike) and Madison Brown (Super Comp) were topping the time sheets and the chase for the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier medallions in their respective classes.
Jason Wilson’s leading ways Friday evening came following a large overhaul of his Holden Gemini.
“We sort of pulled that out of nowhere! In the last couple of weeks, we have changed a bucket load on this car,” Wilson explained.
“In the first run, we kind of had a guess at it but it was pretty slow, but considering the air was at 4000ft that probably had a bit to do with it too.
“In the second one I had a happy trigger finger and took off before the tree came down, and it got a bit skatey and didn’t feel too good, so I got out of it at 330ft anyway.
“We made a couple of more adjustments – in the first round it went 6.55 so we thought we had better make some drastic changes and it came off for us with a 6.30. The track seemed really good on that last run for everyone also and it is a pretty tight field, everyone is around (the same area) you know. Hopefully the cool change on Saturday throws them off a bit,” he laughed.
“With the car running that number you are going to feel pretty good (heading to race day). I have made a few more changes to the car to try and help the reaction times which seem to be working and that is coming around not too badly. I am not the confident, cocky sort of person, but I think we have as good a chance as the next bloke – I hope so anyway.
“I want to say thank you to my family and crew – my wife Michelle, my daughter Grace and a mate of mine, Ross. I would also like to thank all of the Super Gas competitors, they are a great bunch of guys and girls, and also Summit Racing Equipment and ANDRA.”
Brodie Tedesco is making her racing comeback this weekend seven years after she last ran in Junior Dragsters, racing in the Super Street bracket. Friday in Mildura marked her first ever competitive outing in the senior ranks, and comes just two weeks after she tested her new Gemini racer for the very first time.
“I think everyone would agree that it was very, very hot! I wasn’t too sure how the car was going to go because of the heat, but it proved me wrong in a good way!” Tedesco said on Friday evening.
“Being my first ever (senior) meet, I am pretty wrapped with how it went. The first run was really nerve-wracking, but after that I became a bit more confident, and in the second qualifier I went 6.65.
“My dad (and fellow Super Street racer) Tony, and my fiancé, Sean, and his friend, Chris, just kept doing their thing tuning the car up and we ended up going 6.53 – I take full credit for the reaction time though as I had a few lollies in between runs!” she laughed.
“With this being my first event I am honestly on such a high to be doing as well as we are, I can’t believe it. I am feeling good ahead of tomorrow, I am confident we will stay up the top and if I am honest I am just so happy that I beat my dad in the qualifying seeding! The car is consistent and where we want it, so it should all just be fun now!”
For results from today’s action at the Sunset Strip, please click here
The Twilight Nationals will continue in Mildura tomorrow (Saturday 18 February), with the fourth and final round of qualifying commencing from 3.00pm local time ahead of eliminations racing from 6.00pm. For venue information, visit www.sunsetstrip.org.au
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