HotRodMatt If it\'s old or rare - cut it!
3,616 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
The Do-It-Yourself ethos has always been an integral part of the hot rodding tradition. Joseph Rodriquez takes this beyond the building and goes knee deep in bringing Sydney the 2nd annual Day Of The Drags. Going even further, Joe gave up the keys of his alcohol slurping blown hemi powered Model A for a couple of passes - how's that for mateship!
Held at Western Sydney International Dragway, the Day Of The Drags 2007 gives the track exclusively to racers of pre ’71 cars. Spectators are limited to the family, friends and shady cohorts of the racers.
Getting the day started is a barbeque breakfast courtesy of the Idle Wild club members. The smell of bacon, onions and eggs will soon be overcome by the aroma of rubber and fuel as activity ramps up in the pits.
The first half of day is heads up racing. Everybody is out for fun, but taking the win light is always a thrill. With forty eight cars and eleven additional drivers, the track was in full use all day. A trophy, generously supplied by Tony Martin of Road Runner Models, was in everyone’s mind during the morning session as they shot it out for the best reaction time. Almost unbelievably two entrants scored a perfect reaction, breaking the beam exactly as the go light turned green. Shane Corr in his ’54 Plymouth Cranbrook was the first to slip off the brake and score a 0.000 second reaction and took home the trophy.
After lunch, again prepared by the idle Wild Hot Rod Club, a session of bracket racing took place. With dial ins ranging from 18 seconds to low 11s and many consistent racers the action was close. Witling the cars down to the pointy end of the tree, the final consisted of Steven Corr in his Brougham and Luke Griffiths in his ’32 Coupe. With Luke taking out the day (11.765 at 106.26mph on an 11.69 dial in) and collecting a $400 Shannons insurance policy.
To finish the day several rounds of grudge racing were offered with some sprightly show downs taking place.
An excellent day was had for the spectators, a whole day of entertaining racing with no oil downs, lane closes nor a mark on the wall. Very few breakages occurred, meaning almost all cars were driving at the end of the meet – many driving the family home!
With an increase in the number of pre ’49 entrants the year cut off should, in the future, move further back in calendar. Of course those die-hards who have supported the day since the beginning will be grandfathered into the event.
Much thanks has to go to Joseph Rodriquez and his family for organizing the day and rallying entrants; to Tony Martin for the reaction time trophy; Tony O’Donnell from Shannons Insurance for the elimination prize; and, Andrew Parish for designing, printing and providing the event t-shirts.
Hundreds of pics here: http://www.hotrodmattimages.com/galleries/thumbnails.php?album=7
[ Edited on 4-4-2007 by HotRodMatt ]
