CALENDAR

For Carl “Chevy” Taylor, the inspiration to race comes from watching his heroes hit the track back in the early 1990’s.

“It’s funny; I used to watch Victor Bray as a young bloke”, Carl remembers. “I loved the noise, the big chevy and the burnouts – it was the whole package. Along with Lucky Belleri, these guys were my idols”.  

Fast forward to 2006 and he was working under the bonnet of his 1962 Chev Bel Air Bubble Top and who else but Victor himself walks over to take a look. “I was pinching myself. He asked me a bunch of questions about the car and we have been friends ever since. If it wasn’t for the impact he had on my in my youth, I doubt that I would be here now” Taylor says.

Taylor is preparing to make the trip North for the winter to the Nitro Thunder In The Tropics at Springmount Raceway near Cairns, a three day drive from Taylor’s home on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Hot off the heels of a semi-final finish at the recent Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, Taylor is hoping to go a little better in his next journey north.

“I’m good friends with the Fowler family and with all the events and championships that they have won over the years, there is a piece of advice that Greg Fowler gave me that has always stuck with me – if you want to be the best, you have to race against everybody, everywhere. That’s the reason that I’m making the trip up”.

Taylor is well within the hunt for the Super Sedan Championship within the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Sportsman Series, currently sitting in 10^th on the points table. He said,  “The 50% bonus round is huge and really makes the trip worthwhile. I want to give myself a really good shot at the championship and the 50% bonus points is a great way to do that”.

Taylor has been no stranger to success over the years, with the he and the car featuring in 7 National event finals over the years, and culminating in a National Championship in Super Street in 2013.

The car he will be racing is the same one that he began racing with back In 1997 – a 1962 Chevrolet Bel-air Bubbletop, with a 409ci engine taken out to 540 cubes. The combination is strong enough to take the 1800kg beast over the quarter mile with a best of 10.02, with no nitrous or supercharging.

“This thing is all motor” Taylor laughed. “Bill from BK Race Engines built an incredible engine that is super reliable and just keeps delivering consistent horsepower. I have to say thanks to Cameron Tilley from Tilley Motorsport Spares as he has been a great supporter of my racing”

“I also owe a big thank you to Tex Griffiths from Tex’s Automotive for his friendship and support, as he has been with me for years. Last but not least thanks to my family for supporting this racing habit of mine, my wife and kids – I wouldn’t do it without your blessing”.

“At the end of the day, I just want to support drag racing. I love the sport, I love the people in it and I can’t wait to get up to Cairns and try to take home that 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series Gold Christmas Tree”.

The Nitro Thunder in the Tropics kicks off at Springmount Raceway on Friday 19^th August with a test session, with Qualifying and Racing on track on Saturday 20^th August. In addition to the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Sportsman Series, the event will feature the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars who will be on track at 4.30, 6.30 & 8.30.

For racers, entries close Wednesday 10^th August – click here for details https://www.springmountraceway.com/events/2022-aeroflow-nitro-thunder-in-the-tropics/