STEEL CITY DRAGS WHYALLA
Supercharged Shootout
October 3rd & 4th 2015

  STEEL CITY SUPERCHARGED SHOOTOUT

What an explosive weekend of racing at the Steel City Race Way on the 3rd and 4th October, with 25 of the toughest Supercharged Outlaw cars, Nitro Funny Car, Jet Cars and Fireworks spectators had a lot to smile about.

Saturday 3rd October was Round 1 of the Club Championship with the weather conditions being quite testing; we still saw some close and competitive racing. Super Sedan saw Tony Miskelly in his AMX Hornet take the win in the Max Cranes Lane 1 running a 5.934 @ 109.07 mph on a 5.92 dial in over Danny Buccella who ran a 6.441 on a 5.91 dial in.
Long-time racer Neville Herreen took the win in Super Street in his immaculate Holden Torana in Hi-Tec Oils Lane 2 running a 7.065 @ 97.16mph on a 7.06 dial in over Michael Bridges who broke out running a 7.292 on a 7.32 dial in. With a great turn out of cars for Modified Eliminator the biggest field the track has seen for some time saw Simon Barlow and Andrew Braithwaite in the finals. Braithwaite giving the win to Barlow after running a -.399 red light, Barlow running a 5.28 @ 94.68 mph on a 4.75 dial in Max Cranes Lane 1 Derryn McGregor a huge supporter and rider from Mildura took the win in Modified Bike on his Honda CBR running a 7.109 @ 102.37 mph on a 6.95 dial in Hi-Tec Oils Lane 2 over local rider Malcolm Price who ran a 6.62 @ 115.51 mph on a 6.50 dial in. While Street Challenge was only a small field local racer Cameron VanDijk took the win in Hi-Tec Oils Lane 2 over Dianne Patrick after she ran a red light. Junior Dragsters was a battle between the girls and boys and Shari Young took the win in Max Cranes Lane 1 after Josh Baker pulled a red light.

With Round 1 done and the weather gods on our side racers returned to the track on Sunday 4th October for the biggest event the Steel City Drag Way has staged hosting the inaugural Steel City Supercharged Shootout. Darryl Walford made the huge trek from Canberra to first time test his new Nitro Funny Car outfit and ended up claiming a new track record running a 3.84 @ 188mph which was proudly sponsored by Westlands Hotel Motel The Supercharged Outlaw field certainly had the crowd excited and on their feet with all competitors running good times no one could be disappointed with the track conditions and traction. A credit to the track staff that have been tirelessly prepping the track for weeks. A job well done guys. With racers like veteran racer Ben Gatt (Mr Wild Bunch), Bruno Matijasevic, Doina Day, Rob Coote, John Brunner, Alf Sciacca Junior, John Ward, Paul Stephen, Jason Keily, Robert McDonald, Tim McCarthy, Murray Rogers, then our local racers Larry Basile, Shaun Kerkman, Shane Kramer, Gary Busch, Mark Zauch, Graham Shiell, Grant Brokenshire, Peter Datson, Rodger Weste, Darren Astle, Warren Leonard and not forgetting our President Mark Kuhn racing was tough, hard and exciting all day.

The Sundowner Hotel Supercharged Outlaw bracket was won by South Australian Gary Busch driving the A1 Racing Funny Car in Max Cranes Lane 1 defeating John Ward in his blown dragster. Michael Jennings took the win for the Bradford Automotive Super Sedans running a 6.877 @ 90.81mph on a 6.87 dial in the Hi-Tec Oils Lane 2 over Lance Larcombe running a 5.789 @ 105.06mph. Richard Motors Modified Eliminator saw Serg Bonetti in his immaculate black 32 Ford Coupe breaking out running a 6.292 @ 108.16mph on a 6.35 dial in against Bradley Hicks who also broke out running a 5.089 @ 135.43mph on a 5.15 dial in. Tough racing but Bonneti took the win in Max Cranes Lane 1. Kylie Langley gave the win to Neville Herreen after Langley ran a red light in the Halls Cranes Super Street Bracket. Herreen took the win in Hi-Tec Oils Lane 2 running a 7.137 @ 95.51 mph
CBCH Crane Hire and Britto’s Skidsteer Tipper Hire Modified Bike saw Derryn McGregor taking the win again in Max Cranes Lane 1 over David Willis. McGregor took the win running a 7.079 @ 105.8 mph on a 7.07 dial in after Willis broke out running a 6.509 on a 6.60 dial in. Outlaw Speed Shop Junior Dragster saw the girls take to the track with Kelly Donnelly breaking out running a 8.136 on a 8.20 dial in over Amber Young who took the win in Max Cranes Lane 1 running a 10.65 @ 66.07 mph on a 10.50 dial in. Thanks to all the sponsors of the Supercharged Shootout brackets including the Best Western Alexander Motel who provided accommodation for the Women for Wheels Fire Fighters for the weekend.

A crowd favourite and who wouldn’t like to experience a side by side pass of the DPE USA vs AUST Jet Cars take to the track. Peter Bedford in the Australian Jet Car won the first two races and Darren DeFilippo driving the USA Jet Car won the last round after Peter ran a red light. The guys received standing ovations from the crowd after every run, well done Peter and Darren, it was a very entertaining and well received show you put on. Finishing the awesomely epic weekend off with an amazing fireworks display, you could see the smiles on the faces throughout the crowd. So we can say that everyone had a great weekend with great racing, a show of jet cars and fireworks we thank you all for supporting our Club
Lastly a huge thank you again to our Valued Sponsors, Volunteers, Helpers and Committee who spent months and months organising this event for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to the track committee for putting up a fantastic track, nothing but praise from all the drivers. We look forward to seeing you at the track again soon.

Thanks to the Steel City Drag Club for the report.

 
 
 
       
 
Mark Cuffe 2015

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