Australia day, Holden v’s Ford Thursday 2006… I looked around all day for me mate John Mancini while only Darryl of the Stephen brothers was racing. I did see Paul Stephen in the stand with his wife Dearne; they came to savour the methanol. I’m as hooked on that scent as anyone now.
After around two years the WSID track has seen over 500,000 people walk through those gates while the third Summer Nationals is about to kick off.
The corporate sponsorship is steady coming back while track management are happy that it seems to be going very well. Australia Day was much busier for them than expected.
There was a bit of a line at entry due to a computer failure but once again management coped very well and soon things were well under way.
I spoke to Darryl Stephen in good humour, his car had a new motor he wanted to test so it was time to let loose a little.
Regrettably Darryl packed up early having done some damage according to his brother.
These cars cost a fortune to keep on the track and it’s difficult in terms of how fat your wallet is and how big a team you can bring with you.
I’ve decided to chase the corporate sponsorship myself and remind big business just how cool they’ll look sponsoring drag racing.
I got to see me mate Bob back in action and once again I asked him why he does it…
“I’m higher than any drug can lift me”, once again Bob told me that it was even better than sex to zoom down that track… “that’s quite a mouthful” a big call, I might have to get into a dragster and find out myself.
Bob is sponsored by Gatorz sunglasses, just about the coolest sunglasses I’ve ever seen… I just have to get a pair of those shades now that I’ve discovered them.
The good people at Gatorz pay quite a sum of money to help Bob race his car while it certainly costs a lot of money to continue.
I did ask Bob and his team why they’re there and what business success they got out of their efforts.
Once again I discover that they all do it for love. Most of the guys in the team have gone to school together and now that they’ve grown up (that’s a joke isn’t it) they like to get together for their hobby.
Bob was eventually knocked out by the Australian Champion in the semi finals. A very good result for Bob after some time away from the track. I think Bob may just be back in a big way, we’ll soon see.
See more about the event at www.dragsteraustralia.com.au the most reputable source of information about drag racing in Australia.
