Hi Everyone,

No doubt most of you would have read the coverage of VW Warwick in the latest issue of VWMA. Warwick wrapped up a very successful 2009 VWMA drag racing series, and the support of Mike Kristen and Custom Bugs & Buses was crucial to the success of the series. I personally thank Mike for his support as the major sponsor and as an avid VW drag racer. For 2010, Mike has decided to concentrate solely on preparing and racing his stable of VW drag cars, and as such will be present at the track as a competitor, but not as the major sponsor. The 2010 VWMA drag racing series welcomes on board Mick Motors as the major sponsor. As you know, the Mick Motors drag car driven by Rohan Keylock was the Fastest 8 Runner-up at Warwick, so Mick decided that sponsoring the 2010 series was the next logical step. Thanks Mick.

VW Portland kicks off the 2010 series on February 19th-21st. The programme and event details are available at http://www.vwma.net.au  and registration is now open. The programme includes a dune buggy day on the Friday, which was run for the first time this year and proved very popular.

One piece of news not mentioned in the latest issue was the winner of the State Of Origin Drag Racing trophy, which went to Queensland again and literally came down to the number of Qld competitors who support the weekends. Hopefully this will be challenged next year.

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig

Who's making the trip down from Qld next year?

Information regarding the dune buggy day on Friday 19th Feb (day before the drag racing weekend) is now available under event programme information in the VW Portland drag section. This day was held for the first time in 2009, and is now a regular addition to the drag racing activities.

Hi Everyone,

I trust you all had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year break.

Like most things during the January/February period, time gets away, and incredibly, there are only 5 weeks left till entry cut-off and 6 weeks left to VW Portland. If you haven't already, then visit http://www.vwma.net.au  for the weekend programme and activities, which includes dune buggy fun on the Friday. There are some conditions and a need to register interest for the Friday buggies, so please see the VWMA website for details.

Thanks goes to Scott Cleary from SouthCoast Raceway and Jamie Pridham from the Portland Dune Buggy club for assisting me with the continuation of the VW Portland weekend. For those unaware, last year the Portland council imposed a restriction on all Sunday drag racing for 2010, largely in response to noise concerns. However, the council were gracious enough to hear the merits of a proposal for making one exception and allowing the all Volkswagen weekend to continue. With support from the local people, the VW Portland weekend was fortunate to be given the nod. This makes the event quite unique for SouthCoast raceway, and I strongly encourage as many VW drivers and spectators to attend the weekend to demonstrate that the VW drag racing community is appreciative of the opportunity to continue with the two day racing format. I know from past years the event has become increasingly popular, so I'm confident that VWMA and the SouthCoast Raceway can continue to host the weekend each year.

More updates weekly.

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig

nice work guys

matt

Hi Everyone,

Two of Australia's most fervent VW drag racing enthusiasts, Rod Penrose and Mike Kristen, will again light up the tyres at VW Portland for 2010. As well as being huge supporters of the Oz straight line racing scene, (and excited that a VW only series is now running successfully in Australia), both Rod and Mike set the bench mark for performance and craftmanship. Rod will front with his ever reliable and quick 1968 Chop Top Bug, while Mike will once again shake the ground with The Twins Ghia. Also joining the blown ranks will be Darren Hobson in the re-birthed Cranky II! The sight and sound of these three cars alone will impress the Portland locals.

Honour for the first official entry to reach the VWMA inbox is shared between Paul Kennedy and Jeff Sable, both from South Australia. Only a cyber beat separated their official receipt.

There are only 3 weeks to the entry cut-off date of February 12th, and if you are intending to race, I would appreciate an entry as early as possible to facilitate the paperwork. The Friday dune buggy activity also requires an expression of interest to me by the same date for catering purposes.

And yes, the Tappet Cover Racing will be held on the Saturday night in the SouthCoast Raceway club rooms.

Cheers
Craig

There are now only three weeks to go to the event and two weeks until entry cut-off. If you are intending to compete, please visit http://www.vwma.net.au  and either complete the entry form online or post in a hard copy (there is a PDF version available).

This year, thanks to Rod Penrose and VWMA, there are a number of additional cash incentives up for grabs.

1. Most Points - $150. Points are allocated for such things as round wins, best ET, fastest MPH, extra competition entry (Friday night Street drags, Chicago Shootout), best presented, etc. Last year Andrew Clarke from SA was the Portland points winner, as well as going on to win the series points competition for both Portland and Warwick.

2. Most Improved - $150. This is based on your overall performance for the weekend, and takes into account whether you are a rookie, class competing in, type of vehicle, etc.

3. Fastest Rookie - $150. Any class over the weekend.

4. Each Class winner is also awarded free entry to VW Warwick in October - Fastest 8, VW Aircooled, VW Watercooled, Specials, and VW Bodied Other Engine.

A unique VW Portland trophy is also awarded with all categories, including runner-up.

Cheers
Craig

Hi All,

There is just over a week left until entry cut-off for VW Portland 2010. Entry forms can be found at http://www.vwma.net.au  and can be completed online or posted to VWMA PO Box 3551 Loganholme Qld 4129.

This year gate passes, weekend information and the official programme will be available from me at the track on Friday at the VWMA trade stall. In previous years driver entry packs had been posted out prior to the event, however, this sometimes led to misplaced passes, etc, so I'm trailing this method for 2010. Gate staff at SouthCoast Raceway will have a competitor and crew list at the entry to the track to allow you access when first arriving. After that you will always need to have your weekend passes with you.

Mike Adi and the Goggomobil Supercharged Dart return for 2010, so if you missed the pocket rocket jelly bean last year, don't make the same mistake twice. Andrew Ermel is also set to defend his Fastest VW 8 crown, and rumour has it that a few more ponies have been found over the Christmas / New Year break.

Volkswagen Group Australia have come one board for VW Portland 2010, and full details of their involvement and participation will be revealed next week. A special thank you to David Brown, Trade Parts Manager VGA, for making possible this exciting development.

I'm in Melbourne this weekend (yes, driving to Melbourne twice in the same number of weeks - bonkers is the word you are looking for!!) to attend the first VW Watercooled show, SE DubsFest. I'll be promoting VW Portland at the show, so if you are in attendance and would like to know more about the drag racing weekend, particularly for the Watercooled bracket of racing, please come and see me at the VWMA trade stand.

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig

still will be going but not in manx maybe in the beetle and if all else fails the ford.

Excuse my ignorance, is Portland 1/8th or 1/4 mile track?

1/8th mile

As part of the VW Portland drag racing weekend there are a number of other VW activities on offer:

1. On the Friday there is dune buggy activity with the Portland Dune Buggy club;

2. A street parade and display through the Portland CBD and onto the foreshore on the Saturday morning;

3. VW Tappett Cover Racing on the Saturday evening;

4. Sunday Show'n'Shine at the track, judged by VWMA, with several categories and VW Portland trophies

All the information on these extra activities and the weekend of racing can be found at http://www.vwma.net.au 

cant farken wait

matt

Hi All,

This is the final week for entries to VW Portland 2010. Entry forms can be found at http://www.vwma.net.au  and can be completed online or posted to VWMA PO Box 3551 Loganholme Qld 4129.

As mentioned last week, Volkswagen Genuine Parts has come on board for VW Portland 2010 as a sponsor for the weekend. Thanks goes to David Brown, Trade Parts Manager for Volkswagen Group Australia, for making this possible. Information about Volkswagen Genuine Parts will be available at the VWMA trade stand and in the latest issue of VWMA.

Ross Freestone and Hounddog will make their debut Portland appearance for 2010. Ross had some minor issues at Warwick which have now been sorted, and he is looking forward to putting down some quick passes. Other interstaters making the trip include Peter Page (Qld), Chris Holland (NSW), Morgan Smith (NSW), Ryan Heymans (NSW), Rose Merrett (NSW) and Sebastion Nadjer (NSW). This year also sees a healthy watercooled bracket competing, from early Mk1s through to late model Audis. Matt Gardner, well known for his commentary at the Vic DOTVW has managed to have his early Mk1 finished and ready to give the 1/8th mile a blast!

Tappet Cover racing will again be held in the SouthCoast Raceway club rooms on the Saturday evening. Entry is free, and open to all ages. Rules and regulations regarding racing and building your Tappet Cover can be found on the VWMA website.

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig

Ross Freestone

Ross' car should be a great addition to Porland.
With the excellent air quality and good track, it should be pretty quick.
Ross' engine makes a good 50hp more than mine and weighs about 100kg lighter.
Looking forward to hearing some live track reports!!

Also the GOGGO has run into the sixes since last years event, so that looks to be spectacular too.

Can't wait to hear about the action guys - hopefully the support of this great event will be as good as ever. Unfortunately couldn't put the funds together in time to fly down to spectate but will be waiting with baited breath for updates!
Al
Good luck to everyone for final preparations and safe travels.

Yes ! I think Team Dak-A-Tak and Richardson will also make a good addition to Portland this year too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I'll be doing my best for the Queenslanders
Car is up and running with new power plant with extra 45hp ? on board from Rods 48ida bug .
Leaving Wednesday morning .

Have a good trip Pete. Go hard dude, and good luck to Rod too......GO QUEENSLANDER

your only gettin to
Campbelltown LOL

I'm all loaded up ,1.30 Wednesday morning , leaving at 3 . Bluddy rained up here until 10 o,clock ,what a big ffffffing mess ! Small damage to the race car nose while racing to load up between rain showers ( very little but still made me is see red ).
Well Portland post has gone quite ? Hope everyone is working on there cars . Weather looks good down there if weather man is right . 27 to 30 tempts
Hope everyone travels safe ! CHEERS

have a safe trip to all who has to travel, it wouldnt be vwma portland without you guys who put the effort to come down

safe travelling

matt

Holy crap.....said in true Pete style.....2.30am for 3.00am leave..........safe traveling Pete, get some SLEEP.

Hope the event goes well, wish I was coming.......next year

Talked to Troy tonight and he and Pete got into Sydney at westi's workshop at about 3.30pm and were still there at 6.45pm waiting for him to finish a job. Then off to Westi's house for some sleep and an early departure tomorrow morning. So far trip is going well and without incident.

Safe travels everyone including Pete - hope you get some decent sleep soon mate!

Chatted to Troy late this arvo and Pete and he were about 180k's from Portland. Pete's T3 crapped a driveshaft so they drove around till they found Wolfsburg automotive(weren't far from there) who helped them out and get them on their way again. By the time I post this they should almost be at the track so long as everything else has gone to plan.

Yeah T4 LOL. So far so good. Arrived at Portland no worries and after a quick chat right now they were watching the street meet and having a bit of a relax. Troy did mention that the old 1300 Pete used to own which is now owned by one of the boys from CBB I believe had just destroyed a geabox or had some sort of driveline failure.

Great to hear! Go the Qlders