Ryan Van Dyk is making up for lost time this weekend at the East Coast Nationals.

After going within two rounds of racing from winning the Australian Championship in Supercharged Outlaws at the 2014 Nationals at Sydney Dragway, Van Dyk’s work commitments have limited his racing to just one event in 2015.

That event ended in a runner up placing at Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Portland back in January but this weekend marks the start of his Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series campaign for 2015/2016 and he is planning a run at the title.

“We’re planning on giving the championship a red hot crack,” said Van Dyk. “We are planning to run Mildura in December then the Andrew Rowe Memorial meeting at Calder starting Boxing Day followed by Portland and Calder in January, so the next couple of months are going to be busy!

“The car has been thoroughly looked over and we don’t see any reason why it won’t be one of the most consistent cars in the field as it has proved over the last couple of years. 

“I have been working hard on the practice tree so hopefully we will be formidable opponents for our fellow competitors this year.”

Fans visiting the Van Dyk Racing pit area this season will see something newas the team launches an “Interactive Drag Racing Experience” consisting of an NHRA video game and a small drag race slot car track. 

“This is only in its infancy and we will be trying to update and improve upon it in the future but hopefully the fans can get down to our pit area and have some fun with it this weekend! 

“Our current sponsors, Dragsterace.com.au and Paul Rogers Performance Transmissions are on board again for this season and we can’t thank them enough for their continued support and hopefully we can deliver the results and represent them in the best possible manner this year. See you in Sydney this weekend, can’t wait!” 

The East Coast Nationals begin on Saturday November 7 and continue through Sunday November 8 featuring Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle and the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series. 

For more information please visit www.sydneydragway.com.au

Image: John Bosher