28 February 2011
But first, Judd, who has been runner-up in the last two (Australian National Drag Racing Association) ANDRA Pro Series Top Doorslammer championship series, must win the 'championship round', at this weekend's 40th annual Westernationals at Perth Motorplex, Kwinana Beach.
Perth-based Judd has labelled this weekend’s Top Doorslammer round at the Westernationals the championship round – a reference to nine of the past 11 winners having gone on to win the Top Doorslammer championship.
A win at the Westernationals, which carries 50 percent bonus points to entice interstate teams to travel to Perth for ANDRA Pro Series championship rounds, has, in most cases, given the event winner a handy points leads going into the final three rounds, which has been hard to overhaul.
“Based on history, the Westernationals is the championship maker. Nine out of the past 11 winners have gone on to win the Top Doorslammer championship in that season. If our Aeroflow/Mickey Thompson/William Buck team is to have any chance in winning the 2010-2011 championship, then it starts with winning this weekend’s Westernationals,” Judd said.
However, while Judd has been to the final at nine of the past 13 Pro Series championship events, the Westernationals has proved to be his hoodoo event. His best results since the Motorplex opened in 2001, was runner-up last year and in 2006.
Judd is also mindful that over the past six Westernationals events, the bump spot – the eighth and final qualifier – has reduced from 6.368 seconds to 6.094 seconds and the quickest pass recorded at the event, from 6.092 seconds to 5.815 seconds.
While Judd’s quickest-ever pass at the Motorplex is 5.822 seconds, he would like to see his Aeroflow/Mickey Thompson/ William Buck ’59 Studebaker dip into the elusive 5.7-second zone for the first time at the event.
“The Westernationals is getting tougher and tougher. With 19 cars entered for an eight-car field, I would like to think the top qualifier will be in the 5.7-second zone and we could see Australia’s first all five-second eight-car Top Doorslammer field, but with the weather conditions of late, I don’t think it will be possible at this event.
“We have had mixed results at the last few events at the Perth Motorplex, a win (2009 Goldenstates), runner-up (2010 Westernationals) and first round loss (2010 Goldenstates).
“My Aeroflow/Mickey Thompson/’William Buck team has done a lot of work since the last event. We have analysed the data recorded from the last few events and we have a base-line to work from to run well this weekend.
“We missed a great opportunity to capitalise on our previous points lead going into the Goldenstates event. The Westernationals is the championship event. We have to make sure we win, which should see us regain the championship lead,” Judd said.
In the championship series race, Judd is in second place with 200 points, behind Mark Belleri (227pts) and ahead of Maurice Fabietti (186pts) and John Zappia (151pts).