ANDRA Fastlane ANDRA_FASTLANEED26 | Page 17

perfectlight He might not have taken out the victory at January’s South Coast 660 – round six of the 18/19 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series - but Super Sedan event runner-up Alex Gkroidis still had plenty to smile about. ALEX GKROIDIS As well as claiming the runners-up award and valuable championship points at the Portland event, he also clinched his first ever ANDRA Perfect Light award with his 0.000 reaction time set in the third round of eliminations. “Luck was on my side when I won the first round with a double break-out. After that we got the car dialled-in and I said to myself, I am going all the way. I got to the finals, but unfortunately there is where it all went wrong and I lost, but it was still a good result to be the runner-up as I needed the points for the championship,” Gkroidis explains. “It was a great weekend of racing all-round and it ran like clockwork. “For the Perfect Light run I was up against my mate Enio Morrocco who is a very good racer and cuts good lights, so I knew I had to get this one right – I readjusted the delay box and really took my time getting my staging perfect. “When I let go of the trans brake I was watching the lights and the car started to move so I was a bit worried as the green light wasn’t on yet. Then I saw the green light come on and I said to myself, yes that must be a good light then! “When my crew came to pick me up I said that was close, and they said yes very close to a red: 0.000! I was over the moon.” The 55 year old electrician from Newport in Victoria started racing in the Super Street class from 1981-1985 and then again from 2003 until he progressed to Super Sedan with his current Ford BA in 2012. “Highlights over the years have included being the runner-up of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Super Sedan Championship in 2018 and also taking the Divisional Championship that same year,” Gkroidis explains. “I also was the Boxing Day Challenge winner in 2014 at Heathcote Park and runner-up in the 2006/2007 Victorian Super Series in the Real Street bracket. “I would like to thank my sponsors Mobile Electrical Services, Acrylic Sheet Form and Middy’s; my crew members John, Mick, Stan and Les; and of course my family for all of their loyal support.” For more on the 2019 South Coast 660, click here. Photo: Outlaw Images