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It was a day where legends were made - there were thrills, spills, and a HUGE number of new P.B's for many of the racers. Finally a drag day that wasn't pushing 40 degree's!! Far from it in fact, with the temp ranging from about 17 degree's to 22 degree's - perfect for racing… This year, we tried something new, attending a combined inter-club drag day with the Southern Street Machiners, and I have to say I think it was a huge success. Great numbers putting on a great show for the spectators. After last years rainout early on, there were many nervous people watching the sky - but they needn't have worried, as my rain dance that morning seemed to have worked. And so the racing began. Right from the word go, just about everyone seemed to be running their fastest times ever - I don't actually know many people who didn't. The grudge racing was very entertaining to watch, especially seeing the 2 clubs mixing it up and running each other. A great mix of cars - plenty of thumping V8's, tough 6's, hot 4's and bwarpin' rotaries. After walking under a ladder as he left his house that morning (with a black cat sitting on top holding an open umbrella whilst smashing mirrors) - poor Steve with his supercharged XT got off to what you could call a rough start. A minor incident getting the car off the trailer, but that was ok. Time to line-up for his first pass, rip a burnout, no problems. But that's when things turned sour - after launching the car, the steering shaft and steering wheel came clean out in his hands and we all watched in disbelief as the car gently veered off sideways and came to rest up against the wall. BUGGER! Luckily he backed off early enough so it all happened at relatively low speed. But seeing such a highly detailed, beautiful car against a concrete wall is not cool. Amazingly, there was very little damage though! And good ol' Steve handled it like a true professional - not only having a laugh, but getting the car back to the pits to fix it - ready for racing later in the day (more on that soon)…. Grudge racing continued, and the P.B's continued coming as well. We copped a tiny drizzle of rain which stopped racing for a very short period of time, but then it was straight back into it. Before we knew it, lunchtime was upon on. This meant time to organise the eagerly anticipated "Club Challenge"…. This was held straight up after lunch… The three fastest cars were selected from each club and their names were put into a hat (actually a helmet). Gary and myself then met in the Control Tower and drew names out forming 3 totally random match-ups, with the announcer calling those cars up for racing. And then it was on like Donkey Kong!!! This was heads-up grudge racing at it's best - and absolutely by fluke - the three match-ups were as close as you could ask for. The winning club would be decided in a "Best of 3" series of races.. First up, Makka's Ute re-pre-sentin' the "East siiiide" against "SPAZDA" for Southern's. From the start line, it looked so close, but Makka came away with the win putting Eastside up 1-0. Nitrous 10 second pass, he was a happy lad! Next up, Wazza's 11-sec XD from Eastside running the 10-sec "VOLATL" LJ Coupe from Southerns (tough draw Woz!). A great Ford vs Holden battle. This time the LJ took the honours, levelling the score 1-1. Round 3 - the decider. Enter the early Holden's - Aaron's "PROHK1" for Eastside and Iso's GTS Monaro. With their similar bonnet scoops, and GTS flutes these two cars almost looked like brothers. Both cars were running 11's. Iso came away with the win, putting Southerns up 2-1 and taking the trophy. Gary was so excited I reckon he was about to run down the strip after Iso to give him a kiss, but he's too lazy to run 400 metres (unless there was VB at the other end maybe!). And so that was it for the first ever Club Challenge. Southerns now have bragging rights for 12 months until we get to challenge them back again next year. Anyway, we got back to some more grudge racing after that. Steve had the XT ready to rumble again, however during his burnout a MASSIVE spray of high pressure water went everywhere - I think he blew a house clean off or something (I never found out what he actually broke), so it was back to the pits again, he was seriously have no luck at all! Not long later though, he returned! Third time always lucky, and he was in business - pulling off the sweetest sounding 10-second pass of the day. Well done mate. You're a brave man! Haha. Other hard luck stories of the day included Spazda destroying his engine (putting a hole clean through the sump I believe). Pete - also from Southerns - discovered one of his brand new slicks was buggered (bubbled), causing some insane tyre shake and ending his racing early for 'FATQUE'. Big Dave was fighting several problems with the Kinga Wagon, and there was also 'HOTNUF' who didn't get a single run in after big water pump drama's after his first warm-up burnout. But enough of that - we all know the REAL REASON we race at Heathcote is for the Dial Your Own competition (club challenge - meh!!!). The DYO racing this year was awesome. As cars slowly got eliminated, we quickly got down to the business end of things - and it was an all Eastside final - Makka's 10-second XW Ute up against Camo's 14-second SS Commo Ute. And you wouldn't believe it - they were ready to run and the rain came down. Not just a drizzle, it was heavy rain - well and truly enough the finish the day early We literally only needed another 14 seconds!! It was frustrating as a spectator - I can't imagine how the 2 guys on the start line felt!! With racing over for another year, it was time to head home. Several of our crew stopped in at the Heathcote Motel where Southerns had invited us for a spit-roast. THANKS GUYS! It was awesome. Can't wait for next year. Thanks to Russell, Joanne and everyone else for running a great day as always. I have put a couple hundred photos up on the forums, so for anyone interested, jump online and check out www.ausmusclecars.com/forums and head to the Eastside Cruisers section. INTER-CLUB PERPETUAL TROPHYFollowing on from the drag day, 5 members from Eastside (reluctantly!) attended Southern's club meeting on Monday 7th April. Armed with our shiny new Perpetual Cup trophy, it was time to hand it over. I have to say we had a great night. Thanks to everyone at Southern's for welcoming us along. The pizza's for tea were spot-on. Great meeting, and all the comments and feedback about the drag day was excellent. Mackie presented the trophy, and everyone seemed to get a real good kick out of it. Following the meeting, we watched Southerns drag day footage on the big screen which was a great way to finish the night. We have had the trophy made with a hex base. 1 side has the trophy name on it, leaving 5 sides for the winning club name over 5 years of racing. Obviously 2008 is the year of Southerns victory. So I hope our crew gear up in 2009 to get the trophy back. As we lost, it's now up to us to come up with a challenge - we can choose whatever we want - heads-up fastest car grudge races again, Dial Your Own comp, whatever… - Brett |