Australian Competition Eliminator Championship contenders Craig Geddes and Alistair McClure just can’t be separated ahead of the season finale Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway October 31 – November 2.
Both have Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship wins on the board, both have set six national records in 2014, both come into the final round on the maximum 300 points and both even switched classes during the course of the year.
Peter Pislaidis is a mathematical chance to cause an upset and back up his X-Champs win in Sydney earlier this year, but with Kyle Putland not entered, the Championship most likely comes down to Geddes and McClure.
But it won’t be easy going, as both drivers will have to navigate a line up including David Dequen, Greg Leahy, Wayne Cartledge and Lyle Gilmore who all have their eyes on the Australian Nationals prize.
“It’s disappointing Kyle decided not to contest this last round as he has beaten us every time we have met this season and we were looking forward to another chance,” said Geddes (pictured above, image by Bob Taylor).
“We wish all the other competitors a safe race and hope to be holding a Gold Tree at the end of the event.”
“We will be leaving nothing on the table for this event, if the weather is favourable for the naturally aspirated cars I believe we will have a six under car.
“Our goal is to try top qualify and reset records as we will need every point we can get our hands on in the quest to win the Championship.
“We will obviously be trying to win this prestigious event but that may prove difficult looking at the quality of the other entrants, at the end of the day I need to go more rounds than Al.”
Upon seeing the entry list, McClure echoed Geddes sentiment and hopes to get some luck along the way against a tough group of competitors.
“I must say after seeing the entry list for the Nationals I think it will take some luck to win,” said McClure.
“I think there is at least six cars that can run under the record including Craig and myself and I feel a real sense of achievement just getting into this position to battle it out with Geddes.”
It will be a classic dragster versus funny car dogfight as both made mid-season switches to become more competitive under the index system. In the case of McClure, it was a double a switch from the funny car (BB/FCA) to altered (BB/AA) back to funny car (BB/FCA).
In Geddes’ case, he switched from an altered (E/AA) to a new dragster (E/DA) in time for the Desert Nationals in Alice Springs and went on to claim two wins in a row at Mildura and Adelaide.
Geddes credited his sponsors, crew chief and car owner for their help in peaking at just the right time for a Championship run.
“A big thanks to my crew chief and car owner Rob Martin and sponsors Laser Electrics, Quicks Freight Express, Ballarat Roadworthy Centre, Jax Tyres Ballarat, Protrans, Auslec, Crane Cams, Patterson Racing USA, The Cleaners Room, Gerald Geyle Performance Automatics, Craig Signs, Dominator Converters, Redline Oil.”
“We have been in this position before and the pressure is extreme, however we must maintain focus and concentration once we are out on track.”
McClure also has his race face on for the Sydney blockbuster and will enter the Nationals in tiptop shape on the back of two successive weekends in the seat at Perth Motorplex.
“We tested last weekend and made some good passes and will compete in the Perth opener this Saturday the 25th. Then load the car Sunday and it will head for Sydney so seat time will not be an issue.
“Looking forward to having a red hot crack.”
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