It’s hard not to talk about Alistair McClure and Kyle Putland as a pair after their record setting X-Champs weekend at Sydney Dragway.
Although competing against each other, both are good friends, both are from WA, both drive altereds, both set new records at the X-Champs, both made the semi finals against one another and both were even pitted next to each other.
“The highlight for us is travelling with the Putlands who are good family friends and I see myself as a bit of a mentor to Kyle which I think will cause me trouble as he is the best young racer/tuner around and has the most competitive hot rod in the competition field,” said McClure.
“I can’t wait for Kyle to win a Gold tree but he has time on his side unlike myself who is an old fart. We are really looking forward to getting these two tough altereds in the mix at the Winternats.”
“Me and Al are like brothers,” adds Putland. “We had a great time helping each other over the weekend.”
Both were on pace all weekend but in the end Putland’s red light in the semi finals ended his campaign while McClure advanced to the final however he was unable to take his place.
“The car was on rails for the whole weekend until we broke an input shaft in our unbreakable automatic transmission in the semi final ending our charge for the win,” he said.
“We are used to having the odd breakage so the team took it in their stride and we have two input shafts coming from the USA ready for the winters.”
Despite elimination disappointment, McClure and Putland’s record setting passes were some consolation on a weekend where the action came thick and literally fast.
Of the 11 new records, 10 were set in Group Two including the new ETs for BB/AA (6.383) set by McClure and A/A (6.702) recorded by Putland. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, those numbers are already in danger.
“Setting a record that I already have is not high on my list,” explains McClure. “More to the point achieving the best qualifying position and having the car performing to its potential for the elimination rounds is my focus.”
“The car has huge upgrades sitting ready to be added but will remain on hold until such times the car is not super competitive. We have run 6.35 at home in the heat and believe 6.20s are a real possibility for the Winternats next month.”
“We have gone 6.58 in Perth which is a bowling green of a track and have lots of go fast parts to make us faster,” said Putland. “I want to run a 6.4 in it.”
On the form shown at the X-Champs, no one doubts either team so strap yourself in for a show at the FUCHS Winternationals next month.
Alistair McClure (top) image courtesy: Steve Thomas. Kyle Putland (side) image courtesy: Fred Dwyer