Calder Park returned to Group 1 drag racing last weekend after many years. The promoter, ANDRA and the Calder park crew did a fantastic job with 280 cars entered and weather threatening all weekend. Thousands of Melbourne drag racing fans turned out on both days and the excitement and interest was the best we’ve seen at any track. It’s clear that Melbourne loves drag racing and we can’t wait to return to Calder.
The Sigra team entered Top Doorslammer and qualified in sixth position with 6.3 seconds at 233mph. Top qualifier was 6.0, and everybody had difficulties getting down the track. Calder has a great new concrete startline, but gets a bit bumpy down the track, making for some nasty moments and also making lane choice the deciding factor in most races.
In Sunday eliminations we touched the wall at about ½ track and lost to a fast 5.99 from Grant O’Rourke, but damage is minor and we come away with another step up in experience and confidence. John Zappia went on to win the event, defeating Peter Kapiris in the final.
Here is a race report and fantastic video from a USA website reporting on the meeting:
Scroll down a bit for the video and turn up the volume.
Speedweek on SBS TV should be running a full meeting show in the next couple of weeks or so on Sunday afternoons.
Next race meeting for Sigra is 12th March back at Calder Park.