SUMMER SLAM 2008
The first round of the 2008 Toyo Tires Sport Compact Group Drag Racing Series was held at Heathcote Raceway, Victoria. The 2nd of February was the delayed event date due to the rerun of last season’s Jamboree.
There was no chance of any reruns here, with hot and dry conditions greeting competitors- similar conditions to last year.
Three Blacktrack Performance cars (www.blacktrackperformance.com) made the trip down this time: Pat with his ‘Critta ‘ RX3, Shane in his 1JZ747 Cressida (STRWD), and our very own ‘7SINS’ RX7. Other ST289 cars included Gary Halpin in his Datsun Coupe, Phil Awramenko in his green gen 1 RX7, Carlos Costa with his Mazda RX4, David Pender’s Datsun 1200 ute and Damien Mckern’s RX2, just to name a few.
We split the travel down to Heathcote into two days, allowing plenty of time to prepare and enter the Friday night Test and Tune to ‘dial’ into the track. After the first pass, it was decided to turn off the boost controller and run on wastegate pressure only - 14pound- netting an ET of 11.25 and 11.30.
On this night, our ears were greeted with the sight and sound spectacular that is “Delta Force”. It’s an RX7 that has been guttered and a great big jet engine has been installed. Half track power pass nets an easy 11second run down the quarter mile. Competitors and spectators at the Summer Slam event were also shown the delights that only a jet car can offer!
On Saturday, after 2 qualifying runs, it was decided to dial in 11.25 for eliminations. A third run wasn’t deemed necessary, especially after discovering only a few strands of throttle cable were left hanging onto the throttle body!
First elimination run was up against Carlos Costa in his RX4. Carlos with the faster dial in time of 9.10 did the chasing, but was too keen, so a red light gave me the win with a backing off 11.75ET.
2nd run was up against Phil’s RX7. After a long delay while the track was cleaned up after a spill, we headed to the line, only to be greeted with an incorrectly set tree. We raced and took the win, but were called back to rerun again. Unfortunately, Phil had trouble starting his car, so it was decided to accepted the tree and reverse back (not to do a full pass) to officially take the win for that elimination round.
The final of ST289 was up against good friend Pat Long in his RX3. Pat is a seasoned racer, and despite not having raced for over a year, being in the final ment it was not going to be a walk in the park. He dialled in a 10.00 to our 11.25.
After a slightly bogged launch and a slow 2nd to 3rd gear change, I was foot flat to the floor, only to see in my rear vision mirror the Rx3 catching up. And catch up he did, right on the painted cross hatchings of the speed trap at the end of the track - 0.0194 seconds!!
For the incar footage of the final, see Gallery.
Congratulations to Pat for the win. Not only did he walk away with the ST289 winners trophy, but also with the “Sky’s the Limit” (wheelstand of the event) trophy!
Two years in a row we have left Summer Slam with a trophy, a handful of points to start the season and a car that drives onto the trailer at the end of an event.
Thanks again to Justin and Renee of Blacktrack Performance - all three cars walking away with trophys and points, all the other keen people who came down to help us out, to all competitors and spectators who made the time and effort to attend and support this event, and to Russell and crew for the track and hospitality.
Official results can be found at www.sportcompact.net.au
See you all at Mini Jam, Willowbank, QLD.
PS. Don’t forget the ‘take your mum drag racing challenge’, and get her to help you pack your parachute if you have one!
