Day one of the 49th Goldenstates has seen Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series competitors entertain on-track alongside NDRC Nitro Funny Cars, Top Doorslammers, Top Fuel Motorcycles and Pro Alcohol competitors at the Perth Motorplex this evening in hot and humid conditions.
By the close of on-track running tonight, qualifying had been completed for Competition Bike, Super Stock and Competition, with Daniel Natalotto, Steve Norman and Michael Buckley respectively proclaimed the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifiers for these brackets.
Qualifying will continue tomorrow for the remaining eight Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series brackets, but at the close of today’s action it was Lucas Green (Summit Racing Equipment Junior Dragster), Lee Watson (Super Street), Connor Wood (Modified Bike), Mick Wormall (Super Sedan), Michelle Morrison (Modified), Alby Bakranich (Top Sportsman) and Greg James (Supercharged Outlaws) who were topping the time sheets and the chase for their Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier medallions in their respective classes heading into day two.
In Competition Bike, Daniel Natalotto was stoked to take the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier honours.
“I have ridden down to the track on a street bike on pump fuel for a group two class and top qualified, so I am pretty chuffed!” Natalotto grinned.
“I am defending last season’s WA title, and I am going up against the biggest guys out there, I mean, what do I say!
“It was very muggy today and everyone was struggling out there, we were all in the same boat, we just managed to get a bit more out of the bike than the others I guess.
“I am stoked, I wasn’t expecting it, but here we are. It is going to be really hot tomorrow, hopefully we can go out there and have some fun!”
Michael Buckley (pictured above thanks to High Octane Photos) was another who was pleasantly surprised with his top qualifying result in the Competition bracket.
“That is a little bit unexpected, but we will take it,” Buckley said.
“Obviously the humidity is knocking the car around a bit, I have never actually run in conditions like this before and it affects the power of the car somewhat, just judging by the last run where it bogged down on the startline and we hadn’t changed anything.
“We will put a bit more thought into the whole process for tomorrow, make some changes, and hopefully we can make it through the first round and take it from there.”
In Super Stock, Steve Norman is looking forward to race day after top qualifying.
“It is good to qualify number one – the car is tenth or so off, but everyone is as it is so hot,” Norman said.
“The car was flawless again, but I will need to lift my fame a little tomorrow as in both qualifiers today I went red. They were only zero reds, but that is still a red light. So, I will need to play fairly close attention to that tomorrow.”
For the group one categories, Brandon Gosbell (Nitro Funny Cars), John Zappia (Top Doorslammer), Benny Stevens (Top Fuel Motorcycle) and Russell Mills (Pro Alcohol) claimed the top qualifying honours in the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC), while Ronnie Palumbo took the delayed Dragway at The Bend Top Doorslammer A-Final win over Lisa Gregorini in an incredibly close race as part of Q2 for the bracket. For a full report on these brackets, head to ndrc.tv
For results from today’s action at the Perth Motorplex, please click here
Day two of the 49th Goldenstates will hit the track at the Perth Motorplex from midday. For event information including entry lists and full schedules, please go to www.motorplex.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au