WEATHER POSTPONES AUSSIE NOSTALGIA DRAGS

With some 200 competitors filling the pits, the Shannons Nostalgia Drag Racing Series event at Western Sydney International Dragway last weekend looked to be a cracker, says Australian correspondent Jon Van Daal. Unfortunately a beautiful autumn morning gave way to thick storm clouds and by midday the track was awash with pelting rain ruining what would have been an excellent race.

The first spits of rain started as Norm Longfield was backing up the ex-WW2 front engine fueler and as such the yellow flyer was shut.

Immediately before this aborted pass we saw a new car in action. The Thomas, Topp and Turner fueler had veteran Top Fuel pilot, Steve Read at the butterfly. The car did a 60-foot check out pass and then was shut down.

Prior to the rain coming  there was a nasty incident in qualifying when the 665 cube big block Chev T bucket of Joanne Mitcherson had the throttle stick open on the burnout. The car went into a slow arc, hitting the opposite wall with enough force to throw the car five feet into the air before coming to rest backwards some 300 feet down track. After some time in the car the young lady was cleared by the ambulance crew and the car was removed from the track.

The Sydney event has been dogged by rain over the years but is due to be rerun at a later date. (Jon Van Daal photos) [4/15/2008]