The brothers Tremayne totally dominated the Pro Stock bracket with Aaron (near lane) taking the win when brother Tyronne red lighted.
From the outside Australian Pro Stock Racing would appear to be no where near as exciting as NHRA Pro Stock racing (thanks to a 400 cube engine rather than a 500 cuber) but with thirteeen cars trying for just eight places it was frenetic to say the least. In the end the non-qualifiers included a raft of former winners like John Barbagello and Joe Polito to name but two.
Chev Cobalt racer Aaron Tremayne was the quickest in each of the three qualifying sessions with a best of 7.130 just holding off brother Tyronne’s similar mount with a 7.148. Third was Lee Baktash in a Dodge Avenger with a 7.182 being one thousandth ahead of Nick Xerakis’ Escort on a 7.183. Of the four top runners Baktash was the only one not to go through thanks to a 7.21 to 7.18 lose to Scott Porter’s Mustang.
 This was the view all fuel bike competitors got when taking on Athol Williams – he top qualified and won the event by running mid-six second times. |
The semis opened with Xerakis taking a solid .012 to .039 lead off the line against Aaron Tremayne but he was soon passed by the Cobalt with a 7.13/190.22 out doing a 7.199/189.79. An equally exciting race for the other finals placing went down between Porter and Tyronne Tremayne with the latter’s 0.19 light and quicker 7.144 turning back a .038 activated 7.153.
So the all Tremayne final looked to be a corker on paper, however it was decided on the line when the younger Tyronne red lighted thanks to a -.032 light which was followed by 7.173/189.92 falling to a quicker 7.140/190.16 winning time. There was obviously quite a lot of jubilation in the Tremayne pit however the big winner on the weekend was the bracket which was one of the best ever run.
Athol Williams came over from New Zealand with his RBP 1500cc Special Top Bike and thoroughly dominated the class. He ran the quickest times of the weekend with a 6.66 and 6.562 early shut off times to qualify number one. This was followed by 6.602 and 6.569 race times and ended up facing Brett Stevens for the gold. Stevens had qualified third with a 6.799 best followed by 6.800 and 6.734 round wins to meet Williams however despite grabbing three hundredths off the line Williams sailed past Stevens with a 6.65/199.70 - enough to turn back a losing 6.710/208.91.
Pro Stock Bike was the only pro bracket with out a full list of entries and in the end Peter Cochrane on the S&S Buell led the seven bike field with a 7.165 time. An improving 7.132/185.28 solo in the first frame was followed by a bike breaking 7.91 that saw fourth qualifier, Suzuki rider Michael Gilbertson sneak past with a 7.53 but Gilbertson had also hurt his mount returning in the final to stage with a quiet bike and watch fellow Suzuki rider Jason Lee run his quickest pass of the weekend – a 7.298/180.48 for the win.