CALENDAR

The PDRC classes were on fire ahead of the final day of racing at the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, with record setting fields highlighting a frantic final qualifying session.

The Winternationals is the only race of the season that runs a traditional elimination format, with only the quickest 8 cars or bikes after three rounds of qualifying set to start on race day.

With 8 cars in the Pro Alcohol field, every car would make race day, but the question was who would line up against who come round one.

Cheyne Phillips again proved that he is a star of the future with a 5.397 pacing the field in the last session of qualifying. The final session provided a very special moment with Phillips lining up against his 22-time Champion father Gary for the first time.  Cheyne will race Andrew Searle in round one.

The run resulted in the #1 spot for the younger Phillips but tyre shake for the elder, relying on his earlier 5.47 to stay third in qualifying. The run also re-set the record for the quickest and fastest Alcohol fuelled altered in the world. Phillips is set to race Wayne Price in the first round on Sunday.

Championship leader Daniel Reed finished up #2 with a best of 5.45 at 269 mph, and he will race Britney Olive in round one – a race that once he fires the car and accepts the starters orders, he will secure enough points for his maiden Pro Alcohol Title.

Chris Hargrave rounded out the top half of the field in the Middy’s Electrical Funny Car with a 5.57 and will race Brett White in round one. Hargrave is still in with a mathematical chance at the title if Reed is unable to race in round 1, and Hargrave will need to go on to win the race.

Pro Stock qualifying was, as expected, tight. With 11 cars entered, 3 were going home after qualifying.

Aaron Tremayne let the way with his stellar 6.87 the only car into the 6.8 second zone, with championship leader Rob Dekert Slotting into second with a 6.903.

Tyronne Tremayne was third with a 6.91s run, slightly ahead of Rick Chilton (6.955), John Barbagallo (6.976) and Omar Sedmak (6.681).

Thomas Leake and Mario Polito rounded out the 8-car field with Polito making a last-gasp chance count as he bumped his Brother Tony out.

Tony had one chance to make it back into the field on the last run  of qualifying, falling just short of the 7.042 bump spot. Joining him on the DNQ list was John Kabboura and Ray Oxley.

First round Pairings are Aaron Tremayne V Mario Polito, Dekert V Leake, Tyronne Tremayne V Sedmak and Chilton against Barbagallo.

Pro Bike was outstanding with a record setting field – the quickest 8 bike field in Australian History, with two former Australian champions on the DNQ list.

Luke Crowley almost made it back into the six second zone and will start race day from #1, his 7.009 almost a tenth of a second ahead of #2 Scott White (7.105).

Callam Godeassi surprised many onlookers with a 7.225 backing up his previous 7.25, proving that he will be a force next season.

Daniel Rabnott rounded out the top half of the field (7.320), with championship hopleful and two time winner this season Jason Lee in #5.

Paul Andrews continued his good form with a 7.36 , while Vanessa Rohdmann made the quickest field in history in her first attempt (7.397).

Tony Frost occupies the bump spot, a record setting 7.417.

The three riders on the outside looking in are Ryan Learmonths, Andrew Badcock and Maurice Allen.

Round 1 pairings will see Crowley V Frost, White against Rohdmann, Godeassi V Andrews and Rabnott against Lee.

Neil Muprhy is the #1 qualifier in Pro Mod with his 5.859 only 9 thousandths off a perfect run of 5.85, with Nasser Matta in second (5.906) and Championship leader Zoran Gajic starting from #3 (5.917).

Kiwi Barry Plumpton was flying the NZ flag high with a 5.95 putting him into the top half of the field for race day, with Steve Smith logging his first 5 second run (5.964) to slot in #5.

Mark Harris (6.211), Stew Walsh (6.348) and Daniel Camilleri (6.457) rounded out the 8-car field with Peter Gratz the racer to miss out in the oversubscribed field.

Round one pairing are Murphy v Camilleri, Matta v Walsh, Gajic v Harris and Plumpton V Smith.

Final Eliminations kick off at 10 am (local time) for the professional series, and will be broadcast on the 7+ app.