The West Australian Drag Racing community turned out en masse last night to a fundraiser for fellow drag racer Jeff Clarke.
Over 300 drag racers, family and friends attended the Hogs Breath Cafe in Clarke’s hometown of Mandurah in a show of support for the national record holder and team owner of the current number 1 and number 2 Competition national champions.
The fund raiser was to assist Clarke in travelling overseas for cancer treatment not available in Australia.
The drag racing community both locally and nationally dug deep and a significant dent was made in the funds needed to assist Clarke in fighting back, raising over $70,000 in a massive effort.
Clarke initially was not going to attend the event wishing to spend his last few days in Australia with his two young daughters but when he heard about the large turnout he had to come and see for himself.
The already upbeat mood of the gathering sky rocketed when the word went around that Clarke had arrived and then the party really started!
Clarke gave an emotional speech thanking everyone for their show of support especially those who went off and organised the function without his knowledge.
He took special attention to thank his family, close friends, his Full Boar Racing crew (who campaign the quickest and fastest BB/D and BB/FC in Australia) and Christine and the team from Hogs Breath Mandurah who not only sponsor the team but threw their doors open for the event.
On behalf of ANDRA and all of Australian drag racing we wish Clarke all the best and look forward to seeing him back in the seat of his dragster – the quickest Chev powered drag racing vehicle in the world, holding the national record at 5.73 and having gone as quick as 5.64. His goal? Try 5.5s at over 260mph!
For more information on how you can help go to www.fullboarracing.com.au or search for Full Boar Racing on Facebook.
Words by Peter Pike, image by Phil Blondel.
