19 May 2011
Current ANDRA Pro Series Australian Top Fuel Championship leader, Darren Morgan isn’t allowing the frustration of the Sydney Nitro Champs get to him as he eyes off the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals in just three weeks time.
Morgan took his AEG Powertools/Hungry Jacks Mildura 8000 horsepower dragster into last month’s Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway 122 points ahead of nearest rival – Phil Lamattina and had the chance to wrap the Championship up.
Inclement weather conditions – which have been the cornerstone of the 2010/2011 ANDRA Pro Series – hampered the teams’ in being able to get a handle on track conditions.
The Mildura Missile bowed out in the opening round of eliminations. This frustrated Morgan as the Ben Patterson-led squad have made huge strides in getting the AEG Powertools machine down the quarter-mile in a consistent fashion this season. This consistency has been critical in propelling Morgan to the head of the ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel pointscore.
Morgan sits now 101 points ahead of Nitro Champs winner Phil Read – whose father Jim was ironically the last owner/driver to win the ANDRA Top Fuel Championship.
Australia’s fastest TAFE teacher needs a handful of points in the ANDRA Top Fuel chase to be crowned with his second Australian Championship.
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying begins on Saturday June 11 at Willowbank Raceway, near Ipswich – whilst the event – the largest drag race outside North America – runs between June 10-13. It will – for the first time this year –feature Finals on the Monday holiday.
MISSILE’S LAUNCH PAD:
“This year’s been a lot of hard work from all the guys on the AEG Powertools/Hungry Jacks Mildura team,” he said.
“The Nitro Champs was very disappointing. We had a huge group of people there watching us and it is always good to perform well in Sydney. We’ve worked hard on ensuring we can get the car down the track and improve all the way through the meeting – the March meeting at Willowbank was the proof of that.
“The weather wasn’t kind in Sydney and that cost us some track time, but I cannot use that as an excuse.
“We go into the Castrol EDGE Winternationals looking pretty good – but it doesn’t take any pressure off.
“The boys are working hard and we’re heading there to win.
“The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is the biggest event in Australia and it is the one that we all want to win. Once I strap into the car, the Championship will be completely blocked out – the goal is to get down the strip and show we are the best in the country. Then walk away with the Gold Christmas Tree and the Winternationals Trophy as well.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2011 Castrol EDGE Winternationals
When: June 10-13
Where: Willowbank Raceway, Champions Way, Willowbank (outside Ipswich), Qld
Event Schedule:
All times approximate and subject to change.
Saturday June 11, 2011
Group 1 Qualifying 1 & 2 from 12:00pm
Top Fuel Qualifying 1: 2:00pm
Top Fuel Qualifying 2: 5:00pm
Sunday June 12, 2011
Group 1 Qualifying 3 & 4 from 12:00pm
Top Fuel Qualifying 3: 2:00pm
Top Fuel Qualifying 4: 5:00pm
Monday June 13, 2011
Opening Ceremonies: 10:30am
First round Group 1 eliminations from 11:00am