Round 3 of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Series was held on Saturday August 3. A glorious Queensland day greeted series organiser John “Stomper” Winterburn and the 100 odd competitors on the day which was run using the three round format.
John “Stomper” Winterburn
Todays event was the first at Willowbank after a 2 week closure to have new burnout pads installed.
The burnout pads virginity was taken by James Horan who performed the first skid on the fresh concrete.
Scott Porter was out again testing the Infinity. A number of stout eighth mile test passes during the day was followed by a World Record speed for a 6 cylinder sports compact vehicle when the team managed a 235 MPH quarter mile pass at the end of the night.
Shane Locke was licensing this 383 Chev powered Super Sedan, the cars lived up to its name “Bi Polar” early with a couple of problematic attempted passes. Improvement was made on the day however with some seven second eighth mile time cards.
Modified Eliminator was won by Toowoomba based driver Phil Bellert. Phil won all 3 of his rounds to qualify for the final where he defeated a red lighting Loughlin Boyde. Bellert would have been hard to beat anyway due to a 0.006 reaction in the final.
Loughlin Boyde red lighted away any chance in the final of Modified eliminator. The – 0.005 light was followed by a breakout just to rub a little extra salt in the wound.
Benaraby racer Cameron Michael leads the points chase with one round of the championship left.
One of most popular racers at Willowbank Mandy Pukis took home the winners trophy for Super Sedan. Pukis was slower off the start line in the final but got the win when opponent Tom Parry broke out.
Tom Parry towed all the way down from Bundaberg and was rewarded with a runner up finish. Tom broke out with a 5.902 on his 5.910 dial in to hand the win to Mandy Pukis.
Andrew Lange holds a 1 point lead in the championship over Tony Whyatt.
Tony Rassatti won his first 2 rounds over Pete Whitebourne and David Duncome with a couple of stout 5.9 second passes. A third round loss to Neil Maxwell unfortunately meant the nitrous Ford powered beast was done for the day.
Phil White cut a 0.013 reaction in the Modified Bike final allowing him back off and save the dial in ensuring a comfortable win over other finalist Paul Seawright.
Paul Seawright was spectacular during early qualifying with some great wheel stands. He calmed it down enough to qualify for the final where he was defeated by Phil White.
Simon Stevens retains the lead in the Modified bike points battle.
Shane Ball awaits the signal to fire up his Modified Bike Kawasaki for another wild qualifier.
Getting the biggest cheer at the trophy presentations was Lynette Stewart. Lynette was the winner of the Old School bracket driving her tough 6 cylinder powered Gemini. She made an emotional speech honouring her late husband Mark Stewart.
Peter Baczynski was wild all day in his blown Torana and the final was no exception when he took out the finish line timers right beside Lynette Stewart.
In the final of Super Street David Olsen ran a 0.068 reacted 8.516 on his 8.500 dial in to take victory over Brett McIven.
Brett McIven was runner up in Super Street driving the CTR racing Holden.
Robert Winterburn is the Super street championship leader leading into the final round of the series.
Christopher Schaper was victorious in Junior dragster. Schaper was impressive in the final running right on his 9.900 dial in with a 9.900.
Caleb Oberg red lighted the final however was still happy to be leading the championship.
Willowbank track guru Rob Hunter readies the dragster of daughter Mikaela for a qualifying pass.
Dylan Leo and family await the signal to fire up the Lucas Oils JD.
Winners are grinners – all the finalists.
POINTS:
FG LOY & SONS EARTHMOVING OLD SCHOOL
LYN STEWART 104
PETER BACZYNSKI 64
RD WILLIAMS EXCAVATOR PARTS MODIFIED
MICHAEL CAMERON 92
IAN HAM 85
ICE SLUSHEE SUPER SEDAN
ANDREW LANGE 99
ANTHONY WHYATT 98
JOHN WILLIAM AUTO SALES SUPER STREET
ROBERT WINTERBURN 101
GUY HENRY 96
QUEENSLAND NAMEPLATE MODIFIED BIKE
SIMON STEVENS 94
MATT HALPIN 92
PAUL SEAWRIGHT 92
DIAMOND T PRODUCTS JUNIOR DRAGSTER
CALEB OBERG 102
DYLAN LEO 96
Photos and report by Mal Burgess/Blacktrack.com.au
