Australia’s Winter Showdown
THE Gulf Western Oils Winternationals is the culmination of a season-long points chase, where the chance to double up on gold Christmas trees (trophies) begins at Willowbank Raceway, in the south-east of Queensland. Anticipation for the 51st edition of this showdown in June waswhile Wayne Newby advanced also, and Anthony Begley did not. The semis saw another quickest yet pass of 3.782 advancing Harris into the final to meet Bettes who was hot off a 3.801. The final saw Bettes pedal, while Harris disappeared into the night on a record-setting 3.777 at 326.48 to clinch the Winternationals title, but Kelly Bettes had wrapped up the championship in an emotional ending for the Lamittina “Carrot Kings” team. Semi-professional and Sportsman categories added to the pro show, with the spectacle of everything from Pro Radial 1/8 mile bracket, 200mph Extreme Bikes, a huge array of Supercharged Outlaws, to an ever growing in popularity Top Sportsman class. Traditional brackets such as Modified, Competition, Super Sedan, Super Gas and many more all entertained, yet simply too much to document here. NZ’s Rod Harvey’s Factory Extreme entry couldn’t find his past five-second performance, but daughter Shavaun made it to round two in Junior Dragster amid a massive field. Lee Sherwin saved the day for NZ supporters by taking the now very consistent Escort to the Super Sedan final, only to break out against one of the toughest players, John Kapiris, who ran 9.59 on a 9.59 dial in, in that final. As soon as was run and became history, sights were re-set for what will be the 52nd Winternationals, and season-ending IHRA 400 Thunder series. Strategies, planning and scheming, high hopes and dreams begin once again.
