2005 'Signature Spas' Australian National Drag Boat Championships Report
2005.04.03 NWSC Carrum Victoria - The first appearance of a Top Fuel Hydro at the 2005 ‘Signature Spas’ Australian National Drag Boat Championships held in Melbourne on April 1st, 2 nd and 3 rd, was enough to raise plenty of interest, even from racers as far away as the USA. From the moment Sydney owner Craig Cook purchased the ex Mark Workentine “Beast from Easton” TFH in October last year, the sceptics would still not believe it until they saw it! Well, reality hit home when the Kurtis Kraft hydro reached Aussie shores late in December, then with the purchase of 2 complete Top Fuel engines from Australian Top Fuel King, Graham Cowin, did people start to change their way of thinking. Many long days and even longer nights at the workshop of driver Paul Madill, finally things came together. With assistance from former International Hot Boat Association (IHBA) 6 time Top Fuel Hydro Champion, Ron Braaksma (of ‘Madness’ fame), the boat was packed inside the trailer late Thursday evening, for a over night trip to Melbourne. Cook bought out to Australia, not only Ron Braaksma to pamper the boat, but also top tuner Mick Owens to make sure the boat did everything right. Throw in a handful of regular “Madness” TFH crew, Darryl Murray, Joe Shelfo and ‘Mr. Marshal’, and you have the workings of what would be the first ever pass of a TFH in Australian history.
Friday the boat arrived at the National Water Sports Centre (NWSC) around 1.00pm and those that were there, got a quick glimpse of the new machine, before the Friday night function to launch the boat. Inside the trailer, not only was the new Fuel boat, but also the Top Alcohol Hydro and Australian speed record holder, “Thunder from Down Under”, loaded one on top of the other, in a purpose built frame to transport both boats. The name for the new boat was aptly called “Nitro Thunder”, keeping in line with the ‘Thunder’ theme from both boats.
Friday night saw a great time at the NWSC, beginning at 8.00pm, saw a large crowd in attendance, for a sit down dinner and desert, when the Victorian Drag Boat Club in conjunction with Craig Cook, proudly launched the new boat under spotlights, in a scene like a Hollywood movie release. The night was MC’d by club stalwart Gary James, doing a fine job on the microphone, interviewing Ron Braaksma, Paul Madill and 2004 IHBA Division 1, Pro Eliminator Champion, Joe Shelfo. When the boat was unveiled, owner Craig Cook gave thanks to all involved, and was looking forward to Saturday, when the boat was scheduled for its first pass on the liquid quarter mile.
Saturday dawned with a rather nasty North wind and heavy cloud, and although the wind was quite gusty, having high banks at the NWSC helps water conditions as the wind blows up and over the course, made conditions good enough to run. With rescue teams in positions and club personal ready, Paul Madill fired the ‘Nitro Thunder’ up on the holding rope, waiting for the starter to give the order to approach the lights. The large crowd who attended on Saturday all moved forward towards the course and when the starters call came, Paul did exactly what Ron Braaksma had told him, mashed the pedal, and although the boat did come down straight, Paul’s foot had been blown off the accelerator due to the extreme ‘G’-force the boat makes. Paul wisely cruised through the course and was looking forward to Sunday to give the boat and the expected large crowd another look at Top Fuel racing on the ‘Liquid Quarter Mile’.
Some bracket boats ran on Saturday as well to give the crowd a bit of a thrill as many people came down to see what all the fuss about! Sunday’s weather was no better with the wind. Rain has also decided to join in the worsening conditions. Although the wind was still blowing from the North, the temperature had also dropped, bringing rain and dark, cold clouds. The day looked a right off, however after the drivers briefing at 9.00am, the weather gave some hope with breaks of sunshine, bringing out the race fans. First up was Top Alcohol Hydro with, ‘Thunder from Down Under’, Paul Madill, facing Malcolm Forsthye in ‘Thunderbolt’, a boat that hasn’t been seen for a few years. The ‘Thunderbolt ‘ machine had a new engine combination, its large Brad Anderson engine being sold two years ago, came with a blown, aluminium headed, big block Chevy engine, and was going to be down on power, compared to the others in the class. The wind was causing some problems with the hydros on the holding rope, and when the green lights were given it was the ‘Thunderbolt’ machine that got away first, leaving ‘Thunder from Down Under’ still at the rope. When Paul finally got the engine fired, a boot full of gas caused plenty of anxious moments, both for the crowd and Paul. The hydro took a real bad move that saw it cross the centre line into lane 2; luckily the ‘Thunderbolt’ machine had already passed the finish line and was out of danger of collision. Even though ‘Thunderbolt’ took the win, it was not a pleasant race to watch, with both boats clearly having problems with the course conditions. Both hydros were seen moving all over the track, a clear indication that the wind was really playing havoc with the awesome machines. Alan Muir in ‘Silver Bullet’ was next on the rope and when the green light was given, the boat took a nice set in lane 1, going through at 177.50 and a 7.19 ET. The boat looked good and didn’t do anything silly going down the river, weather conditions not playing any part in making the boat unsafe.
When the bracket boats came out the weather was turning nasty, with a downpour of rain, the officials waited for a clearance in the weather before proceeding. Water conditions settled a little after the rain, and race officials moved to run ‘Altered Image’ the injected small block powered hydro of Dale Bramhall, ‘Annihilation’, the blown small block hydro with Alan Butcher driving and ‘Dad’s Toy’, the Blown Alcohol Flat of Gary James. Each driver was instructed of the water conditions, so each decided to do 1 pass each in lane 1, as this was the clearly the safest lane to race in for the faster boats.
Each boat faced the starter in turn with Dale Bramhall leading off. ‘Altered Image’ looking good on the water running a clean pass of 126.06 mph and 9.05 ET, ‘Annihilation’ running a 139.91 mph, 8.27 ET and ‘Dad’sToy’ going through with 132.75 mph and 8.46 ET, in conditions that were quickly becoming un safe for racing for the Pro classes. This was to be, unfortunately, the only pass the Pro boats would run all day.
However, the bracket classes seemed to relish the conditions for a while, enjoying a bit a chop making the boats run high in the water. As it was, officials called the race at 3.00pm, after drivers voted unanimously to pull the pin, as the conditions were just not safe. However, all classes were declared, and the winners were decided on the current point’s situation at the time of cancellation. Points are allocated for a win (5), runner up (3), a Legal single or bye run (5), DNS, DNF or Red Light (0 points).
Stock Eliminator (65-75mph) saw 5 entries, ‘Sensation’ this time driven, Gary Ellis, ‘Deceptive’, Matt Smith, ‘Show no Mercy’, Ben Coughlin, ‘Robbie MarineProducts’, David Kula and ‘Flat Broke’, Rob Alexander in the clean, white flat bottom. Things got a little rough for ‘Flat Broke’ in the rough getting quite out of shape at times and showing the large crowd what a set of fins look like under the boat. With normal driver Nicky Ellis unable to make the race, his father squeezed himself into the seat and ran the boat pretty good. Ben Coughlin and Matt Smith had some great side by side runs during the day and David Kula just keep on getting better and better, having worked on the boat non stop lately. The winners based on points was given to ‘Show no Mercy’ in first place with runner up ‘Deceptive’.
Modified Stock (76-85mph) saw the battle of the lone inboard versus three outboards! ‘Outkast’, Karl Fitzsimons in the small block powered Stephens hull, took on the outboards and won the Championship! He didn’t have it all his own way as he had to get around ‘Ricochet’ David Meads, ‘Tennessee’ Steve McKenzie and Lee Hanson in ‘Leeway’, the screaming’ demon of the liquid quarter mile! ‘Ricochet’ David Meads, was given the runner up award and was hard pressed by his other outboard mates along the way.
In Super Stock (86-95mph) 5 of the top boats lined up on the rope, this time for an Australian title. Friendships were cast aside as ‘Wizard’, Nigel Deveney, ‘Energy’ David Howie, ‘Trippa’ Chris Buhagiar, ‘Outcast’ David Bristow and ‘Arrogant’, Rowan Crundwell, doing the driving chores for John and Richard Tiberi. Some terrific passes were made in the class, even though the conditions were getting worse as the day went on. David Howie has been the standout this year, pretty much having this bracket on a string. This day was no exception, with ‘Energy’ taking out the win, and with ‘Trippa’ taking a runner up in the Championships in his really first year of full time racing. Rowan Crundwell is fast becoming the ‘rent a driver’ around the place, recent drives include, ‘Shattered’ and ‘Under Siege’, and then stepping into the ‘Arrogant’ machine. Great to see Nigel Deveney make the trip from Yarrawonga, seems Nigel can’t take a trick with the weather and drag boat racing at the moment!
The super Competition (96-105mph) has been dominated all season by one boat. The ‘Flamed and Flat’ machine of Marty Lynch has given all comers a wake call in the bracket. This awesome, flame and more flames, Cole runner bottom has cleaned up everything this season, and is on track to take out the Signature Spas High Points Championship this year, but this day Marty had a big set on an Australian Championship first. However, he didn’t have it all his own way this day! Graham Mott in the ‘She’s Mad’ Everingham, a bad Blown, Carburetted big block Chev, was relishing the rough conditions, unlike Marty’s flatbottom which was clearly having a hard time in the rough. Although taking the Australian Championship on points, the ‘Flamed and Flat’ boat stuffed a rather big roller, splitting the hull, deck and tearing the bulk head under the deck in two, causing quite a bit of damage to the boat. Graham Mott was again relegated to runner up, but these two guys have been going ‘hammer and tong’ at each other all season with some serious close racing. When these guys race, you need to be there, its just great stuff!
The Pro Competition (106-115mph) boys this time had four entries, in probably the toughest line up all season. New comer ‘Quicksilver’, Paul Browne entered with a Bullet hull complete with a turbo’d Rotary engine that was just a piece of work! This thing was awesome! Rumours were rife that the boat was capable of speeds around the 115 mph mark, and this made regular racers Tony Tippelt in ‘Armageddon’ and Mark Potter, again driving John Bynon’s ‘Fordmidable’ machine, very nervous. Add in Shane Quinn in the ‘Cocaine’ flatbottom machine, now with a blown injected Brett Niddrie built monster, and this class has come of age. It was clear that the ‘Quicksilver’ machine was going to be a hard charger but as the water got rougher the performance of the boat was hindered by the rough conditions. Can’t wait to see this baby give the regulars some curry when the Victorian Titles come our way on May 1 st. This Bullet hulled machine will be one to watch! Although Tony Tippelt had starter motor problems during the day, he gave it his best shot at competing but couldn’t make the call. The winner on points was given to the John Bynon owned, Mark Potter driven ‘Fordmidable’ with Shane Quinn in ‘Cocaine’ taking his first Championship runner up position. Keep your eyes on this class as we believe there could be another two new boats coming up for next season. Look out for Michael Trewin in his un named as yet, big Ford powered flatbottom, and watch out for the ‘Flamed and Flat’ machine, it’s coming your way next season! Hoo Boy, keep you posted!!
The BAD boys came out to play and thrill the crowd and that they did! ‘Fierce’ Phil Russi, the Rod Cooney owned ‘Rhythm’ with driver Dean Gleeson at the wheel, ‘Big’ Russell Palmer back behind the wheel of ‘Stone Cold’ and ‘Unleashed’ driven by Brett Sheppard. These guys always put the show on, with blown motors roaring, hulls pointing to the sky, and some solid runs in the rough. It was great to see eventual winner ‘Rhythm’ taking the Championship, leaving owner Rod Cooney a happy man at days end. It was also great to see Russell Palmer back in the winners circle after some motor problems early this season with a runner award. The conditions at the end decided everyone’s fate. Its unfortunate the event couldn’t ‘shut the roof’ and had a perfect day, perfect water conditions, because with a line up of boats that was certainly he finest in the country, mother nature just didn’t want to play the game!
The Victorian Drag Boat need to be congratulated, on what was possibly the best organised, well publicised event, having the best drawcards there, like Ron Braaksma and Craig Cook, starting on the Friday night with the TFH launch function, a Saturday event which saw a great crowd turn up, and Sundays top line up of drag boats. In the words of Joe Shelfo, the 2004 IHBA Division 1, Pro Eliminator Champion, who came down under to check it all out, who said “We’ll be back”!! ……………..We most certainly will…….all of us!!
Contributed by Gary James