CALENDAR

The East Coast Thunder kicked off in style with Top Fuel Funny Car for the first time in championship conditions at Sydney Dragway on Friday.

Morice McMillin made history by being the first ever Top Qualifier as he powered his Aeroflow funny Car to a 5.07 at over 460 kph. McMillin recorded a quicker 4.93 second pass at a booming 527 kph in the second qualifying run, however this was disqualified due to a starting line infraction from a crew member.

McMillin’s teammate Brandon Gosbell logged a very early shutoff 5.43 second run to slot into the number 2 position on the ladder.

Pro Alcohol came to a wild conclusion when the final pass of the night saw Championship leader Steve Reed take on Gary Phillips. Phillips ran a 5.436 to retain his #1 qualifying position, but Reed had a clutch malfunction as the car crossed the finish line filling the cabin with thick clutch dust and momentarily obscuring his view. Reed called on every inch of experience he has in his 35 + years in the seat,  narrowly missing Phillips and sliding the car to a safe stop.

“I think the clutch exploded”, Reed said after the incident. “I couldn’t see, and all of a sudden I had Gary’s chutes (parachutes) in my face so I grabbed the brake and it started Sliding around.”

Reed will start from the number 3 position on race day, just behind Jake Donnelly in second with a 5.46.

Pro Stock saw jaw dropping runs from Aaron Tremayne and his brother Tyronne. Aaron’s cam in q1 , with a 6.89 one of the quickest runs seen in Sydney Dragway History. Tyronne had the chance to drop the mark in Q2 and did just that, with a Staggering 6.87 to take the Aeroflow Top Qualifiers Award in Pro Stock.

Paul Cannuli make his single qualifier count with a staggering 5.65 in Q1 to take the pole in Pro Slammer. He is followed by Championship leader Steven Ham and a group of racers all anchored in the 5.7 second zone. Geoff Gradden and Michelle Davies round out the top half of the field, with Davies running a new personal best of 5.75 to sit in fourth.

Pro Mod saw championship leader Zoran Gajic take the #1 qualifier position with a 5.88 second run. Collin Willshire, fresh off a final round appearance at the Winternationals sits second, with queenslands Neil Murphy in third with a 5.98.

Pro Stock Bike Championship leader Luke Crowley edged back toward the six second zone with a 7.05 to take the top spot from Scott White. Reigning Champ Glenn Wooster was happy to log a 7.61 run on an early shutoff and is looking forward to race day on Saturday.

Racing resumes at 9.30am on Saturday 5^th November with Sportsman racing, and professional series on track at 2pm. Tickets available now at www.400thunder.com.au .