Sunday April 15 saw another successful round of Nostalgia Drag Racing at Western Sydney International Dragway. With a full field featuring Junior Fuel, Slingshot, Gas, Hot Rod, American Muscle, Australian Muscle and the HAMBsters there was something for all tastes. The HAMBsters (HA/GR HAMB Gas Rail) had their third ever outing after debuting at the December 2006 round. With several cars in the works around the country this retro class looks set to explode. The field consisted of the HAMBsters of Joseph Rodriquez, Nick Mastromauro, Ezio Cacciotti, Joe Formosa, Ben Gatt, John Dyer and Jeffery Danglmaier in his just-in-time finished car. Matthew Hale also had his almost completed straight-eight Buick powered car at the track. The flatheads and early sixes pushed the rails (built in the spirit of The Bug) through a Chicago Shootout style format toward the final between Ben Gatt and Joe Formosa. The two sidies echoed through the night sky as Ben took the win.
Wild rides were aplenty. Jenny Petrie in the Timic sponsored Junior Fuel 350 powered Fiat Topolino was cranking those front wheels high into the air. Gas provided most of the hair-raising rides. Chris Papadopolous, lifted the wheels of his XW GT Falcon after a solid holeshot, only to get unsteady and pull off a remarkable save after crossing the centreline. The LC Torana ON GAS also saw some wild swings after spilling coolant in front of those wide slicks and was very close to going ON ROOF. Stephen Willies was unfortunate to meet the wall at half track, after fluid loss from the big 512, damaging the front of the big Ford Torino.
Junior Fuel Winner Brett Robertson Runner Up Greg Smith Slingshot Winner Bob Sinclair Runner Up Mick Borg Gas Winner Brett McNiff Runner Up Sam Khoury Hot Rod Winner Luke Griffiths Runner Up Phil Redford American Muscle Winner John Kerr Runner Up Stuart Smith Aussie Muscle Winner Geoff McNiff Runner Up Carmelo DeMaria HAMBster Winner Ben Gatt Runner Up Joe Formosa
Farking amazing pics......proud to be an Aussie..LOL Damn nice....so gotta get the Kardinals to run a HAMBer......... =]
looooks goooood down unddder BROTHERS HINEY one of the HORNETS.... WORLD RECORD HOLDER 12.402 107.79 MPH. http://www.bobhindmanroadsters.com
great photo's as always Matt, really like what your doing with the storyline as well, job well done. The black one closest won (Driven by Ben Gatt, who coincidently is a aussie drag racing pioneer, whos more familiar with driving 6 second quarters, the experience shows). Joe, in the other lane came runner-up
Ahh, "nostalgia".....I've missed seeing Convo pros and Welds all these years! Takes me back to Calder Raceway....last Friday night. The guys building the HAMBsters here sure have their hearts in the right place. Just hope they don't get screwed over in the long run.
we're gonna keep chipping away, as we firmly believe that we are making progress. We've had to make some sacrifices, but at the end of the day I'd rather 'fight the fight' and loose, then not made the attempt. The next 2 outings will see a few new cars, with some more 'big' names stepping up to the plate..... so were feeling fairly excited about the future. Cheers, Drewfus
Yes, at this stage we should have at least 6 cars in attendance, with a posibility of another 3 who are talking it over with their respective families. Will you be there with your rail? Cheers, Drewfus
WOW Some hot ozzis tin! Great job on the snaps hotrodmatt. I especially like the black and whites, gives them a true nostalgic look. Thanks!
Like anything, ya gotta take the good with the bad... here's some 'good' Firstly, Dago's new/old toy... Then my favourite 32 roadster of all time with some new/old boots... Then, for the Kustom lovers...
a couple more to prove that all is not lost in the world... the latest HAMBster to hit the street....this engine CRANKS... mild custom/classic HEMI in 32's.....nothin nostalgic there..... a few scooters for the kiddies to tootle around on... then a nice 32... Trust thats better suited... Cheers, Drewfus
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