22 fastlane
Q L D
C H A M P S
READY TO RUMBLE
Following the successful running of the
inaugural season in 2017, the Summit
Racing Queensland Championships are set
to return in 2018.
Kicking off at Ironbark Raceway across March 31 to April 1,
the three-round series will once again be backed by performance
powerhouse, Summit Racing Equipment.
Racers are already signing up for the event in a bid to make sure
they are the ones hoisting the prestigious copper ANDRA Xmas
Trees come the series conclusion in September.
For Ayr racer Anthony Spataro, a championship defence will be on
the cards after he took out the Outlaw honours in 2017.
“I really enjoyed the three rounds – it was a lot of hard work for
us, as we are based 300 kilometres away from our home track of
Mackay so there was certainly a lot of travel for us,” Spataro said.
“The atmosphere at the events was something we found to be
very nice and all of the racers would get together and have fun,
especially at the two-day events where we had more time to
interact with each other.
“We always felt very welcome, and we were happy to take out the
title in the end – we had always said we would do all three rounds
no matter where we were on the points, so it was satisfying to get
the trophy in the end after all that travelling!
“As far as defending the title this year, I am not feeling any extra
pressure as yet, but then I haven’t really had any time to think
about it either to be honest!
“Those that know me well will not be surprised to hear that since
we got back from Roma, the car has been in the shed and has not
been touched once. The week before the event the rest of my life
will go on hold and I will start fixing things and getting the car
ready!” he laughed.
“Sometimes that approach doesn’t pay off, like in between rounds
two and three last year where I was in trouble as I broke the
Lenco and couldn’t find a local bearing and had no time to ship
one in from overseas. I am lucky that I have had some great help,
like from John at JB Automotive who in that instance machined
the Lenco for me so it would suit another bearing.
“With my kids grown up and at work now, they aren’t able to crew
for me as often anymore so I am also lucky to have the Harm
family come all the way down from Charters Towers to help me
out at the track – being Ford racers, I think that is a pretty good
showing for them to give me a hand on my Monaro!
“We have some good fun, and I have been stirring Michael Harm
all year making him think he is older than me, well Michael – you
read it here first, I am actually over 50!” he laughed.
As it did in 2017, the state-based series will seek to develop and
promote drag racing in regional Queensland, taking in Ironbark
Raceway (Round One – 31st March-1 April), Palmyra Dragway