PORTLAND’S South Coast Raceway received a national green light yesterday after more than 160 drag racers scorched down the newly refurbished one-eighth-mile track.
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It was the first time in a decade top-level racing over that distance had been held in Victoria and the head honchos of the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) came to watch.
Chief executive Mal Bullen told the trophy presentation audience he was highly impressed and promised to allocate another national-calendar event there soon.
Racers from as far as Perth and Queensland turned on the action with two national records and a perfect start-line reaction time. Host club publicity officer Greg Holland said more than 1800 spectators went through the gates for the two-day program.
“Our $120,000 investment in upgrading the braking area is paying dividends,” he said.
“Crowds will return again soon for a SlamFest round.”
Best performances were: national records: Darren Parker, Hoppers Crossing, Pontiac GTO superstock, 4.73 seconds, 146.5mph; Craig Geddes, Miners Rest, supercharged blown Chev 284, 4.706, 142.8mph; quickest time: Mike Evans Tasmania, Chev Camaro 4.30, 166mph; Matty Allan, Bayswater, Kawasaki bike, 4.30, 152mph; perfect reaction time, Scott Riley, Hamilton, XW Falcon; fastest local: Scott Cleary, Portland, VL Commodore, 7.18.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au