adminWith a record spectator crowd of more than 4 000 attending the event, and 67 vehicles participating in the drags, the day provided excitement and action from start right through to finish.
Even the light showers at mid-day did not dampen the spirit of the event.
The track had to be closed for 30 minutes as a safety precaution until the rain passed, but people continued to pour into Donnybrook throughout the day.
The organisers were delighted to note that there were a large number of “first timer spectators” at this event — an indication that the sport is continuing to grow in popularity and the media campaign succeeding in reaching a wider audience.
“We are certain that this is a sign of greater things to come and we expect more competitors to be signing on for the 2013 Series, when they realise that this is a sport for the general public where ordinary people can race in ordinary cars, cheered on and supported by a very appreciating audience,” said Susan Zevgolis, the secretary of the Dragpro Club.
The major mishap of the day was the catastrophic engine failure of Patrick O’Hara’s yellow V8 beach buggy in his first run of the day.
O’Hara has enjoyed an immensely successful season this year but in the end the pressure of pushing for that little extra ended up being too much.
It will be interesting to see what O’Hara will put out of the hat for next year — it can only be better.
The crown of fastest car could therefore only go to the blue Subaru driven by Kevin Allmark who had a fastest quarter mile time of the day of 11.633 seconds at a top speed of 202.06 km/hr.
In the bike class, it just wasn’t Phil Archenoul’s day and Donovan Maxfield took the well-deserved prize of first place with a fastest quarter mile time of 10.719 seconds at a top speed of 213.23 km/hr.
A wide array of car competed on the day — Corollas, Foresters, Skylines, AC Cobras, BMW M3s and even a Rotary powered Super 7.
Online Reporter