Times for Melbourne Raceway, Sun 7th June 2026
With the euphoria of Street Weekend departing the property late Saturday afternoon the rest of the weekend was left for the Straightliners domestic championships to unfold as well as round 3 of the Melbourne Championship.
Six Sixty Cars
Although some were still on Street Weekend duty the 660 Car series was down to a tight but still entertaining 6 cars show featuring Bob Molden, Phil Thompson, Sara Unsworth, Andy Rounthwaite and Ewen and Marc Betts. In Marc’s case he had to revert to the new/old Straightliners Renault Megane hire car due to the water pump coming apart on the LS powered 100e on a practice pass Saturday afternoon.
The final came down to a great shootout between Bob’s ‘White Noise’ Chevy powered Peugeot 205 and Andy Rounthwaite’s ‘Danger Zone Racing’ Ford powered Escort MKII. With dial-ins displayed there was just 0.7 of s second difference on the tree which both drivers read well. But in the end, it was Andy who kept his distance to cross the line for a popular family win (the first in years I believe) in 6.811s on a 6.80 dial to cover Bob’s hard charging 6.243s against a 6.10 dial.
Top Bike
The five protagonists contesting Top Bike put in a great show of fast entertainment led by Woody’s storming 5.612 at 146 mph late Sunday morning to give him the ‘lucky dog’ bye in the opening round. Come the finals, it was ‘deja vu’ moment from the previous meeting with Woody squaring off with buddy Pete Slater in a great final. Launching hard with a .062 light to Woody’s .109 striking the line first was indeed Pete’s Hayabusa with a fantastic 5.585/138.95 mph to Phil’s hard charging wheels up finishing 5.701/145.96 mph. Also in class was Chris Hodgson’s 5.8 second Hayabusa, and the low flyin’ six second weapons in the hands of Carl Mountford and Nic Deighton. Great show guys.
No Mercy Bike Shootout
Jeff Taylor took the spoils of victory with his competitive Honda Hornet. After taking out fast starting Rob Briars, Jeff picked up a semi-final win after opponent Andy Smith unexpectedly broke out of his 6.62 dial with a 6.522s. The final came down to a great scrap between the orange coloured machines of ‘Fly Me’ Phil Thomlinson and Taylor’s cheeky Hornet. At the stripe it was the Hornet that picked up the win after Phil’s Suzuki spun the rear costing him dearly; 7.550s (7.45) to a quicker 6.403s (6.18 dial). Also in play was the 500 CBR Honda of Gill Pacey and the Suzuki of Terry Mountford’s GSXR who went out in round 1 with a surprising loss against Andy Smith having run consistent 6.2s all weekend.
No Mercy Scooter Shootout
There’s no stopping Jamie Lawn this season following another win in the Scooter class against Stephen Holt who broke out of his 7.74 dial with a 7.723 to Jamie’s 8.452s on an 8.40 dial.
Junior Sprint Car
Wow, what a great show the Juniors put in at this event. A European first in the form of two slingshots running side-by-side, together with the debut outing for Hettie Rushforth’s Dave Taylor built dragster. In the final shout it was Miss Isla who picked up the win in her slingshot, when Jake Little pulled the pin a hare too quick with a -.049 to what could have been a 10.593s win thus handing Isla her first ever and popular family win; 12.840/52.16 mph. A pleased dad Ben Rushforth left the track very happy with his daughter’s performance by turning a nervous 25 second first pass to a 14.171/44.45 mph.
Junior Sprint Bike
Although he saved the best till the last run of the day, Alfie Barraclough was on the receiving end of a loss against Will Mountford in the semis to face Jet Jackson’s Reverse Trike Special. With the final set and dial ins logged Jet took on her near 5 second head start as Will chased her down to pick up the trophy with a 9.071s on his 8.82 dial to just squeak past Jets 13.798s on her 13.67 dial. Now we said that Alfie saved his best performance of his career till last. Well, it was certainly worth staying round for with his first nine second time card with a fantastic E.T of 9.977s. Well done.
Race Legends
Or as Colin Fallows refers to as the ‘pensioners class’! Well lets hope that he qualifies for a bus pass! But if not, he can always hop on his race winning Kawasaki to go to the shops on having taken on the Suzuki of Bob Hancox in the final with a winning 7.694 (7.67) against a 7.559 (7.55 dial). Phil Watson 250 MZ broke out in the first round with a 10.179 on a 10.57 dial.
Pro Competition
With an anticipated four car show – the outcome was decided on a red light and a very late start! But by the close of play it was the two dragsters of Nik Wilson taking on Ian Lee. In the end it took a -.003 red by Lee’s blown ‘Frantic’ dragster to hand a first time win for Wilson’s Hausser built dragster which still completed the run with a 6.169/118.95 mph to Lee’s 5.034/143.33 mph. Also contesting the eliminator was Marcin Szwed’s Pontiac Firebird ‘doorslammer’ and Bob Morgan driving Paul Croton’s Wild Bunch altered ‘B-Sting’ who was getting to grips with a new ProCharger set up. In Marcin’s case he pushed his way over the beams to bag a red.
Street Weekend
Quickest car in the Melbourne Raceway hosted round of Street Weekend was Sweden’s Roger ‘The Savage’ Nilsson piloting his team’s 4.859s at 155.64 mph history making Ford Thunderbird – the quickest door car Melbourne Raceway has ever seen. Second quickest was Rob Carter’s VW Passat (5.813s) and Phil ‘Pyscho’ Drewitt’s Ford Pop at 5.945s. Roger also headed the time charts at Friday’s Elvington round with a 5.15s at 143 on the abrasive Elvington concrete.
Finally, making its debut meet was Tina Taylor’s Yamaha R1 powered slingshot dragster called the ‘Legal Lady’. After several runs late Saturday and Sunday the slingshot was covering the eighth in 11.536s at 72.83 mph. The Mountford boys were taking a keen interest with Carl taking a few laps in the car.
Words Jerry Cookson
📸 Tog
#straightliners #melbourne raceway #dragracing #motorsport
| Times | Download |
| Race Legends + No Mercy | Download |
| Bike Eliminations | Download |
| Six Sixty Cars | Download |
| Car Eliminations | Download |
| Reaction Times for Junior Sprint Car | Download |
