News

Without doubt this was the best weekend of racing at MELBOURNE RACEWAY to date. Large crowds both days witnessed some epic runs and not forgetting the jet cars of Julian Webb and Lee Dennick providing the flame and thunder show prior to the magnificent fireworks display from the FORCE OF NATURE’S rocket man Graham Sykes, who’d put down a brilliant run earlier in the day, and Shaun “dangerous ” Walker. There then followed Blood Sweat and Beers band in the club house plus the celebration of MR STRAIGHTLINERS, Trevor Duckworth’s 80th birthday.

 Graham had put down a benchmark run on Saturday but on Sunday it was Phil Wood doing the riding putting in a stunning take your breath away run stopping the clocks with 3.42sec at 162mph, a new track record for a steam powered 2 wheeler, the best bit though was the 0.78sec 60ft time.

  The commentator had his work cut out over the weekend updating his 5sec list with a whole string of new members plus some new 5sec personal bests added into the mix.

  David Swift on his first visit to Melbourne with the AMX ran a 5.42sec straight off the trailer later dropping that to a 5.11sec.

  Street Weekend winner, Rob Carter, in the Passat ran a couple of 5s with a 5.88sec best, having one scary lane crossing moment. Luckily the driver in the other lane, who’d left first, saw the incident unfold and thankfully got on the brakes to avert a coming together.

  Bob Molden, Mr Consistent, in the White Noise Peugeot, ran a 5.88sec and backed that up with a 5.95sec. Bob usually dials in 6.00sec dead in Pro ET so his 5.88sec was a big breakout but no doubt him and the team were suitable elated.

  Jamie Brookes was another running his first 5 on his turbo GSX1400 running a 5.98sec.

  Another to get his first 5sec was Allen McSweeney in the wayward Volvo who’d run a couple of 6.00sec deads eventually got a 5.99sec.

  Mark Todd improved to a 5.20sec in the Aston Martin.

There were 9 Junior Dragsters along for the weekend plus 3 of our Junior Sprint cars joining in. They put on a great show with our own Jude Elliott making it through to the final against the quickest of the Junior Dragsters, Harley Coulsell just pipping Jude to the line, Harley just 0.04sec outside his dial in and Jude just 0.03sec.

In Straightliners No Mercy we had a new name progressing through to the final demolishing some tough opposition on the way. That man was Nic Deighton who lined up against Ashley Hodgson. Nic got a perfect start only just crossing the line in front of Ash. So nice to see a new name taking the trophy.

In 6 sec class Chris Hodgson beat Peter Slater, Peter being a little too cautious knowing how easy his bike runs 5’s and Chris getting the jump on the green.

In Scooters No Mercy it was good to see Stuart Donald along on his stock TV 175 Lambretta and making it through to the final against Amy Wolstenholme. With a 2.83sec handicap Amy knew she’d have her work cut out, Stuart has done a lot of winning over the years, but she was too keen and got a red light which was lucky for Stuart who went under his dial in!!!

Juniors

 In the eliminations there were a few breakouts along the way so it was that for the 3rd time Maisie Thornton lined up in the final against William Mountford. Maisie cut a good green with William having a stumble away from the line so Maisie was across the stripe for her 3rd Junior win.

 Junior Sprint Car

 Jake Little got a bye in the semi’s making it his first final lining up against Toby Jackson, the ever improving Jake taking the win.

NSCC SATURDAY

There was a 16 car field for NSCC though Ian Walley was too busy to attend, a few breathed a sigh of relief!!  It was good to see Jamie Hughes back but star of the show was Grace Sleath who in only her 2nd meeting made it through to the final against evergreen James Murray. Grace cut a perfect light and was quicker to the 60ft but James hauled past just before the line to take another win.