Fans at South Coast Raceway in Portland, Victoria will be treated to a little Group One action when the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series returns January 16-17 for Round 7 of the Championship.
South Australian Pro Stock team Parente Motorsport are headed to the eighth-mile strip as an exhibition on their way to the Australian Nationals at Calder Park to be held January 23-24.
The event in Portland will allow Gerry Parente and his team to gain more experience in the still new Camaro ahead of the big show in Melbourne a week later.
South Coast Raceway will also be the first track other than Adelaide International Raceway that Parente Motorsport has put the car through its paces.
“Given the lack of racing/testing in Adelaide, Portland will be a great opportunity for the team to collect valuable data and give Gerry more time in the seat,” said son and Crew Chief Michael Parente.
“We have not attended South Coast Raceway yet, but from all accounts, the surface is great and we are really looking forward to getting the Parente Motorsport Camaro out there!”
Following Portland, Parente will then take on a strong Pro Stock field headlined by Lee Bektash and Nino Cavallo at Calder Park six days later.
“We have entered the Nationals at Calder and are really looking forward to running with a tough field of Pro Stockers,” added Michael.
“It’s great to see National drag racing back in Melbourne, I take my hat off to Pete Pisalidis who has done an amazing job!”
The action will commence at South Coast Raceway with qualifying from 11am Saturday January 16 and eliminations from 10am Sunday January 17. Gates open at 9am. For more information please visit: www.southcoastraceway.com
The Australian Nationals return to Calder Park Raceway January 23-24 with qualifying from 9am-9pm on Saturday January 23 and eliminations from 9am Sunday January 24. For more information please visit: www.calderparkdragracing.com.au
Image: Grant Stephens / Drag News Australia