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PRO STOCK JOINS THE AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

By Timothy Neal

Australia’s Pro Stock racers will be joining the Australian Drag Racing Championship (ADRC) alongside the Top Doorslammer and Top Fuel Motorcycles at selected Championship events in the country it has been announced.

The rounds for the Pro Stock currently announced are the Heathcote Park Raceway (VIC), the new drag strip at The Bend (SA), Sydney Dragway (NSW), and hopefully in Top Fuel’s New Year Nitro event at Willowbank (QLD).

Amongst Aussie drag racing fanatics, the naturally aspirated sedans have gained a cult following due to the extremely close-run nature of the racing, offering a refined and precise spectacle of high speed orchestration, providing a surefire spectacle along with the heavy metal octane of the Top Fuel dragsters.

The news of the Pro Stocks joining up with the Top Doorslammer and Top Fuel Motorcycles, provides an even greater spectacle and package for Australia’s ever-growing Horsepower festival circuit, whether it be for the live fans, TV audiences, or the racers themselves.

Peter Ridgeway has been involved in Pro Stock racing for 30 years as an engine builder, team owner, and champion driver; he was also the first Pro Stock driver to pass under seven seconds in national competition, recording a 6.99s pass in his Holden Monaro, recording a speed of 313.45kph.

“The Top Fuel promoters told us to just get out and race where it works for the racers. We don’t have to choose between one series or another,” said Ridgeway, the Pro Stock Association president.

“With three rounds, the ADRC Pro Stock Championship is certainly fast and furious, and we’re excited that Pro Stock is racing in the 400 Thunder series too. Some teams will do both! Like the Top Fuel guys have been saying … more racing, more fans, more tracks. It’s fantastic to see Pro Stock race where we want to, without limitation.”

Top Fuel Championship contender Andy Lopez has joined the excited chorus in welcoming the top class Pro Stock machines to the ADRC.

“The ADRC Pro Stock Championship is going to feature some of the best and hardest working Pro Stock team from around Australia,” Says Lopez.

“All the teams need to do is turn up and put on a great show. We’ll treat them with respect, put on an awesome event, and showcase them in the best drag racing broadcast in Australia.

“The more the merrier.”

The Pro Stock racers will join the ADRC at Heathcote in October.

Pro Stock drivers across the board are amped about the prospect of the extra racing packed into their season, with Chris Soldatos, a decade long veteran of the category, keen for the prospect of racing at new venues.

“As a team owner, I’m looking for good tracks to run on, that’s all I want, just somewhere to race,” Soldatos said.

“At the moment we are tinkering with the car but honestly we don’t have a real lot to do other than going and running it!

“Everyone loves to watch Top Fuel and I’ve seen the people they are bringing to the sport, the idea of following them and having some fun sounds good to me,” Soldatos says of the prospect.

Rob Dekert, another of the Pro Stock heavy hitters, having just made headlines with eye openly slick 6.88s pass, is understandably over the moon about firing up his Pontiac GXP.

“There’s 20 odd Pro Stock teams around the country right now who want opportunities to go racing, and more championship events for Pro Stock is going to be great for the class. We’re one of the newest teams, but we are also ready to commit to events around the country,” said Dekert.

“We’ve still got some refining to do and it can go a touch quicker. We’ve done okay so far, and it sure would be nice to get the first championship in this new era.”

The highly anticipated joint venture will have its first showing at the Heathcote raceway on October 1-2 of this year.

The ADRC Pro Stock Championship can be seen live and free on 7+ around Australia, and will be featured in highlight specials on 7mate.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action.