Terry’s Tale of QDRC Rd 5

12 August 2019

Terry’s Tale of QDRC Rd 5

Round 5 of the Qld Drag Racing Championships on August 10 was a big day of racing at Willowbank Raceway with a large field of categories and a test lane filled with a menagerie of fast machines. We were welcomed with cool air, clear skies and a gusting Ekka Westerly wind to test the racers.

Wallace Bishop Loyal Watches Junior Dragster
Winner: McKenzie Garside
R/up: Cruz Sargent
Great racing from all competitors with a few of the favourites getting bumped early and McKenzie made the most of it taking the win over Cruz who had a cracker day also making it into his first final ever.  It was awesome to see the camaraderie in the Junior ranks as almost the entire field of drivers were on the start line to cheer on the finalists.

Prime Signs Speed Elec Super Street
Winner: Ian Neilsen
R/up : Mark Stevens
In what was the story of the day for most categories it was a double break out a thon, but these lads kept on trucking with Mark in the Commodore running right on his dial in but Ian got him on the tree and took the win to put some valuable points in the bank. Nice work lads.

Sports Turf Services Modified Bike
Winner: Mark “ Lucky “ Gordon
R/up: Alan Annis
Tough field as always in bike and we lost a few big hitters going out but Alan did well and will solidify his place at the top. But the story from Mark was he was having issues with his bike so he raced his wife’s bike and, well, he won. How cool is that and in what was an emotional trophy speech Mark made a trophy dedication to a lost mate so it was a fitting result.

Mick’s Towing Super Sedan
Winner: Robert Winterburn
R/up : Patrick Barron
This bloke Rob in the commodore is a gun and proved again today when things are good, things are good! He got the win over Pat who was pretty pleased to be on podium again with the runner up. These two were number one and two going into the meet and truly delivered in a tough field.

Knijff Earth Moving Modified
Winner: Tony Littlewood
R/up : Rodney Mcauley
Modified had it all with breakouts and spot on dial ins and action aplenty. Tony made the final with three wins but another 9 competitors could have made the final with him, so the count back was critical and Rod got the finals nod, up against Tony. Tony has been national champion and has gotten runner up in Mod at the qdrc before, but in his 9 years he has never won one till this meet. Nice.

ET Chassis and Race Cars Top Sportsman
Winner: Paul Doeblien
R/up : Daniel Morris
Paul started the day in 2nd spot but may have given himself a good chance of giving Denis Ryan a tough run to the final with his win at the meet. Gourley, Gauldie and Ryan still went rounds but Daniel Morris proved that if you run with the best you can bring it home with a stout runner up in what was some tight racing.

Donnelly Blasting Services QDRC Outlaws
Winner: Josh Fletcher
R/up : Bill Fletcher
We have seen these two race quite a few times but as always a final is a different kettle of fish. Josh had to smash out a 007 light to put away Dad Bill in a close final. Outlaws is tough and the supercharged brigade always put on a show.

Highlights and interesting tidbits.

First round we had in Super Street a father in law, daughter in law combo with Ron and Angela Holz. In Modified First round we had Dad and daughter with Phil Bellert and Kellie Kidd. In Mod bike first round we had another dad and son combo with Craig and Ace Edwards. Think that’s impressive we finished the outlaw final with a Dad and son pairing of Bill and Josh Fletcher.

Tough run with Craig Edwards third qualifier on the huyabusa was a 7.04 at 201 mph ! Outstanding.
Perfect lights of the day went to George Wegener, Alan Woods, Brian Alvisio, Kaylene Gourley and Scott Bettes.

Toughness abounded in the test lanes with Rod Harvey in the 2j Toyota rattling off a 5.70 at 256 first run then backing it up with a 5.77 at 255! Bring on Jamboree I say! We had Matho on the top bike, various factory extreme cars, radial cars, funny cars, altereds, and even a rear engined dragster on nitro.

Big thanks to all the Willowbank volunteers, my co commentators Kerry and Chris and Dave from Dragphotos.com.au for the pics and always supporting the Raceway.

So that’s the wrap if you missed the day, don’t miss the next one. – Terry Dale