WA drag racing Q and A

25/12/2023

15/12/2023

I attended the Summer Slam Drag Racing Event @ the Perth Motorplex and followed the drivers and teams around for the event in the modified class of drag raci...

31/01/2023

https://youtu.be/WP8w5e9QJ38

Old vs New i thought i would test out the new Gopro Hero 11 Black vs my first ever gopro purshase the Gopro Hero 4 on a 7 sec 170mph Nissan Silvia Drag Car p...

14/12/2020

https://dragnews.com.au/andra-subsidiary-set-to-run-perth-motorplex/?fbclid=IwAR0m0O2TcmE8iyVyQHKGuA_zuCxL-v5XiahRE0Dq0WQejGEvudz-JRzfZyU

Evolve Facility Management, a subsidiary of the Australian National Drag Racing Association, will be taking over the running of Perth Motorplex early next year.

22/07/2020

https://www.facebook.com/100000379625128/posts/3341168989239056/?sfnsn=mo

Good news motorsport fans!

The roar of dragsters and speedway cars will once again be heard at Perth Motorplex.

The venue will reopen in August for track hire and in October for the drag racing and speedway season following a five-month closure due to COVID-19

VenuesWest and its staff should be congratulated for their interim management of the venue.

The process to secure a suitable venue operator will now be finalised and it is planned for a new operator to take over part way through the 2020-21 season.

It is great to see this place back in action.

VenuesWest Perth Motorplex

13/07/2020

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYHfo3iZjhOEWSPoogDCO4Q/playlists

01/07/2020

01/07/2020

Q and A with a racer/crew guy Brett Baile has something a little bit different coming out to debut this season. Bret has crewed and driven for Top Alcohol/Top Bike Racer Aaron Deery but with mainly crewing for over 10 years with Aaron, now looking at returning to the race track running an injected nitro altered lets do it Q and A

Q. When did you first get involved in drag racing
A. I first started helping my buddy Ian Forrest probably around 1997 he had a fed with a 265 6 cylinder anyway things evolved 11 sec 10 sec we then built a new car and ran high 9s in the mean time I had purchased Steve ravens altered so I licensed in the front engine car and ran 10.17

Q. What was you first race cars and what times they run
A. So after the fed I raced my own altered I had a 307 chev in it it ran a Pb of 9.65 and I got runner up on debut at the nostalgia drags to the then Aussie modified champ

Q. What is your current PB
A. My current Pb is a 6.52 @ 215mph I did this when Aaron Deery whom I had crewed for for many years handed me the keys to his 5.5 sec top alky dragster. I jumped from a mid 9 second altered to this animal and had only done about 20 runs in my entire life it was one hell of a ride

Q. Tell us a bit about your current car and what combo you are running
A. So the current combo I plan on running is a Ian Jenkins chassis that was rick johns old car we ran it in modified for a bit and went 7.80 10 years ago I told az I wouldn't mind giving a small block injected nitro combo a go, so I bought a drum of fuel straight up. As we do I then put a new rear end in the car and set it up for a clutch and lenco, then we decided a 44amp mag would be best. It basically grew and grew currently its a iron block, 12 deg heads, 9in clutch and 3 speed lenco we will run it on around 95% and take baby steps, till we learn what it wants and doesn't. I have a spare aluminium block and stuff it sounds cool as hell, if it goes anything like it sounds it should be pretty good I will be happy to run a 6 @ 200mph with it. Its been a lot of work as its very unique and I've enjoyed building it but, raceday is coming eventually.

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment
A. Most memorable moment there is so many crewing for Aaron Deery for probably some 15 years the night we ran the first 5.4 in alky a 5.48 is up there our first winternationals not sure what year but we ran 5.73 and got in the quickest field ever a number 3 when there was some big hitters. Ian Forrest's 265 hemi we set the b/md track record to quicker than the then national record and ran a 8.86. Also when I licensed in Aaron's dragster 1st full pass I went 7.03 I will never forget that day.

Q. Who do you look up to in drag racing
A. Theres plenty of people I look up too John Force I watched him win probably his last championship in las Vegas in 2013. Aaron Deery has probably taken 20 years off my life, with sliding in n out clutches for 20 years. But he is a hell of a guy and a unbelievable racer, he taught me how to race if you look at I've had a racecar since I was 18 and probably ran less than 10 shows, his a exciting racer too watch and I get the best seat in the house. I must also mention Ian Forrest he started my journey, then I learnt so much building a car from the ground up with him and racing it. Brandon Freer I had a blast crewing on his car for a long time. Rick and Liz johns Ricky took me under my wing his the reason I love altereds, his burnouts live with me forever. Mark the madman sheehan in his top alky altered was another one I admired.

Q. Are there any people that you would like to thank
A. Other than all the people I have already mentioned I have to thank my mum and dad there's so many people Aaron Deery, Kendrick Pool, Mitch Homewood, pino priolo Ian Forrest, Ian Jenkins, Rick and Liz Johns, Brandon and Myrium Freer and anyone else I have forgotten

Q. Do you have a message to the Perth fans
A. To the fans get down to the track and come watch something different with my nitro gig just hopefully we can keep it on track and put down some good runs. To the fans that have rolled through our pits for years. Thank you for you ongoing support this is a hard sport and your recognition in coming too watch, all the work we do to prepare these cars, often working endless hours during the week it means a lot.

Thanks Bret I can say iv known you for a while now and Iv always seen you to be very switched on with your drag racing Thank you mate for being apart of this Q and A deal and best of luck with your nitro combo

30/06/2020

Q and A this next guy is the brains behind the dancing queen dragster team operation Glenn Robinson is Jaydes dad he was a racer him self back in the day lets find out a bit more with a Q and A

Q. .When did you first get involved in drag racing
A. Racing streetcars and bikes in the early 90s

Q. What was your first race car and what times did it do
A. Wheel standing Ford Anglia 496ci EFI chev 8.91@150mph

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment
A. Kwinana Motorplex created a calendar and out of hundreds of race vehicles they chose 12 which included the Anglia, because apparently the crowd loved it.
More recently watching Jayde licence the Dragster and enjoying racing with family and friends.

Q. Who do you look up to in drag racing
A. Ray Treasure for the dedication that he puts into the sport.
Anyone that enjoys the sport and is a great sportsperson.

Q. Are the any people that you would like to thank.
A. All my family and friends over the years. Special mention to Shane Holmes and family along with the Gaikhorst family.

Q. Any plans to get back behind the wheel one day
A. Not in the near future, enjoying Jayde racing and the whole family involved.

Q. Give a message to the Perth fans
A. Drag racing is the most accessible motor sport available.
Most racers/crew are very approachable so don’t be shy.
We at Dancing Queen Racing are always happy to have a chat and love when people ask to sit in and get photos with the Dragster.

Thanks Glenn your a top bloke with strong drag racing DNA its great to see the Robinson name still out there racing (You might need to pit the dancing queen dragster further away from the barra torana team) To get a few more years out of the Robinson name

30/06/2020

Q and A Brenton Back is a new racer to the modified eliminator class. Racing with his new black dragster and his family of young crew they just love there drag racing lets find out more with a Q and A

Q. When did you first get involved in drag racing
A. I first got involved with drag racing at ravenswood race way. I used to work in the hamburger vans at the age of 14 it was the most fun the racing was awesome then when I was a bit older I pit crewed for John Craig senior for many years

Q. What were some of the first cars you raced
A. My first car that I raced was a turbo charged Gemini it used to run a 14.4 on street tyres that was back in the 80s after that it was a Torana with a 350chev that ran a 13.8 it was my every day car as well \

Q. What do you currently drive
A. My current car is my rear engine dragster it’s the best !!its current best time is a 8.37 but we blew up a motor at the western nationals (spewing)new motor being done now hopefully will step us up a bit maybe a 8flat

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment
A. My most memorable moment that has happened with my dragster is having my kids and family at the drags with me because after all it is a family sport

Q. Who do you look up to in drag racing
A. The other racers and there families it takes a lot off commitment to keep a race car at the track also John Craig he started my racing and John zappia never meet a more open and committed racer than him

Q. Are there any people that you would like to thank
A. I have to say thanks to my family for the help (especially the wife she didn’t run me over when dragster turned up in the garage )and my 2good mates Dan and Jono they talked me back into it again

Q. Do you have any future plans
A. My future plans are to hopefully step up to super charged out laws more sponsors are required

Q. Do you have a message for the fans
A. Perth fans get to the track it’s one off the best in the world the price is incredibly cheap especially if you get there early in the day meet the racers and watch awesome racing into the night

Thank you mate its always a pleasure talking to you down at the drags a very nice guy with a great family and fantastic race team best of luck for next season mate

29/06/2020

Q and A
Angelo Locantro has been around the sport of drag racing since he was born but only seriously getting involved when he was 18 years old as a crew member for john zappia, always wanting to drive a race car him self Angelo purchased a Super Street lx hatch back Torana that ran a best of a 11.03 racing it at the fast Friday events while still crewing for john. After a few years of owning the super street car a better lx hatch back Torana Super Sedan car came up for sale that happened to be the ex championship winning car that kicked of Top Doorslammer driver Daniel Gregorinis carrier.. . Upgrading to this car racing at the fast Friday events while crewing for john at the major events it ran a best of a 9.42 at 142mph.
Many years later after growing up a bit in life Angelo purchased a little 6 cyl 202 dragster. Having never entered a major event or ever tried going for a championship before he thourght why not give it a go. In a class with ex champions and ex junior dragster racers the modified eliminator is a tough class to race in.
First event the car came out and ran a Perth motorplex BB/MD track record and went on to win the event. Then following it up with a round 2 silver Xmas tree trophy win, a round 6 win and a grand final runner up claiming his first ever championship title by 243 points clear. 2019/2020 he started off good with a runner up place at the exhibition powerpalooza round. Then a back to back golden states win in round 1 claiming his second silver Xmas tree. Just before covid 19 hit Angelo had dropped down from his number 1 spot having held it for 16 months. In the end not getting the chance to run till the end of the championship chase because of covid 19. His Pb in the dragster 9.64 at 135mph
Q. Most memorable moment
A. Winning my first golden states with Ross Spadaro Gerry Andrijich and Graham Jones ill never forget after round 1. I was worried about a noise in the diff. graham Jones said “mate its alright its just talking to you its telling you to get through this event and win then fix it up for the next one”
Q. future plans
A. Just to be a better person and help the sport of drag racing grow while running my own engine building business.

Q Who would you like to thank.
A. I would like to thank my drag racing teachers (John Zappia Graham Jones and many more) because as life go's on i'm starting to realize a lot more now that how blessed Iv been being taught by the best there is in drag racing.

Q. Message to the fans
A. Drag racing is the fastest accelerating sport anywhere on this planet get behind your local teams and support our great sport so we can see it go on into the future and have a stable platform for the up and coming rising stars of today.

29/06/2020

Q and A This modified racer is the driver of the dancing Queen Dragster Jayde Robinson dad use to race drag racing and she is following in his foot steps, a very competitive racer and always happy racing with her family and partner. Thanks Jayde for participating for a Q and A

Q. When did you first start drag racing
A. Since I was born, my mum was actually reverse gear for my dad when she was pregnant with me.
Q What was your first ever race car
A. My one and only drag car is the modified dragster, PB of 8.08 @ 163mph.

Q. What is you most memorable moment
A. Getting my drag racing licence and whenever we run a PB.

Q. Who do you look up to in drag racing
A. Connor thinks it’s him but it’s got to be my Dad because he has taught me everything I know about drag racing.

Q. Do you have any future plans in the sport
A. Just try to become a better racer, get a consistent dragster in modified and maybe step up to comp.

Q. Are there any people that you would like to thank
A. My mum and dad for giving me this opportunity, and all of my family and friends that support this dream. Also Tom at Retro Blast.

Q. Do you have a message to the Perth fans
A. You can do anything you put your mind to, I never would have thought I would be running 8 second passes in my very own dragster.

Thanks Jayde for being involved in a Q and A best of luck next season racing in the modified Eliminator class.

29/06/2020

Q and A With a junior dragster driver. Young Brodie Zappia has started his racing carrier in true Zappia fashion by winning his first JD state championship this season. Brodie is nephew to the greatest Top doorslammer racer on this planet John Zappia. He is a friendly and very polite young man and we thank you for participating for a Q and A

Q. When did you first get involved in drag racing
A. I first got involved in Drag Racing in 2007. When I was 2 years old, my parents would take me down to the Motorplex to watch the racing, and support Uncle John. I even had a spot on the crew, cleaning the bonnet and chalking the wheelie bar on John's car.

Q. What was your first race car and what do you currently drive
A. My first race car was a 2001 Hansen Chassis Junior Dragster, that I started racing in 2013, 2 months after my Eighth birthday. It had a 210cc Briggs and Stratton engine in it, and I got it to run as fast as 10.93 while licensing... We then put a bigger, 472cc Huddleston Performance motor in that car for when I moved up to B/JD in 2016, and the car went as fast as 8.38. My current car that I'm driving, is the Ex Connor Begley, 2016 Mike Bos X2 Junior Dragster, with a 543cc Craws ZR-4 Engine. I've only been running this car since December 2019 and It's been a treat to drive. Fastest I've gone so far is 7.94, with a lot more power left in it, but that’s is right where I want to be for A/JD’s

Q. What would be your most memorable moment so far in your carrier
A. My most memorable moment in Drag Racing has got to be winning the Nitro Up North in 2014. This event was my first event off home soil, won 3 of 3 in the Chicago Shootout, then won the final against the 2013 Australian Champion. I still have the Crocodile Skull trophy proudly displayed in my bedroom to this day.

Q. Do you have any future plans in the sport
A. My plans for future racing, would be to see out Juniors until I age out. My all time goal is to end up in a Top Doorslammer, but that is still a fair few years away. I'll need to focus on school and getting a job before thinking about racing something bigger.

Q. Who would you like to thank
A. The people who I'd like to thank for making this all possible are: Mum, Dad and my Grandpop. Also Adam Gannaway for helping on race day, Brian "Scruffy" Lake at B.L&S.G. Lake Brick Cartage, Mike Sprlyan at ACS Sports Images, Aaron Deery at ADR Engines, Margaret Maxine Oppes, Peter Vukovich, Peter Matulovich and of course John Zappia at Zappia Racing.

Q. Is there anyone that you look up to in drag racing
A. From the very start, I've looked up to my Uncle, John Zappia. He's helped me, given me advice, given me a wake up call when I've made stupid decisions, and taught me valuable lessons of Drag Racing over the years.

Q. Do you have a message for the Perth fans
A. My message to the fans is Thank you. Thank you for showing up on those stinking hot days, thank you for showing up and staying on those freezing nights. Without you, the Motorplex wouldn't be able to continue putting on shows like it does, and its you guys that support the racers to keep going, so Thanks.

Thank You Brodie I still remember you as that little kid running around in uncle johns pit area. It has been awesome to watch you climb the ranks of the sport following in Your uncles foot steps we wish you the best of luck next season in Junior Dragster Thanks buddy.

27/06/2020

Q and A The new outlaw street radial class in Perth is a great stepping stone for young up an coming rising stars in the sport of drag racing. Connor Begley is one of them racers completing his licensing procedures last season in his LSA powered one tonner he is well and truly on his way this season to running some numbers lets do a Q and A thanks mate

Q. When did you first start drag racing
A. I first started racing when i was 11 years old

Q. What was your first car and what do you currently drive
A. My first race car was a butler built junior dragster and now I drive a HQ One Tonner

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment
A. My most memorable moment in drag racing was winning the nitro up north meet in my junior dragster

Q. Who do you look up to in the sport
A. The people that I look up to in drag racing are my sister and my dad

Q. Do you have any plans in the future
A. We have a few changes for the Ute in the next few seasons. hopefully I will get to license in our family’s outlaw nitro funny car as well.

Q. Are there any people that you would like to thank
A. The people that I would like to thank firstly are my family and friends for always supporting me, everyone that has helped out as crew on the car’s also the track officials

Q. Do you have a message for the fans
A. I would like to say thank you to everyone that supports the sport we couldn’t do it without you

Thanks buddy we can see that you well and truly take after your dad that is awesome and we wish you the best of luck with your endeavors in the outlaw radial class.

27/06/2020

Q and A With Emma Jayne Begley.
Emma's dad has raced for Graeme and Wendy Cowin since the Aeroflow Series started. Watching him in the series sparked a passion in her for these cars that grew stronger and stronger over the years. Emma told us what its like to race in the Aeroflow nitro funny car series Everything about this series is awesome, the cars, the people, the places we travel and the supporters we meet along the way. How could you not fall In love with the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Series? But at the age of 15 I told my parents I wanted to race in this series, so dad and I made a deal. That if I studied hard, finished high school and got into university, he would support me and help me put together our own Outlaw Nitro Funny Car. At the age of 18 I started licensing in our privateer funny car. From there at the age of 19 Graeme and Wendy Cowin gave me the opportunity of a life time, by letting me join the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Car Family. Thanks Emma for being on for a Q and A

Q. When did you first get involved in Drag Racing
A. I have grown up around the sport. I would sit up on the hill as a toddler watching my dad race his Chevy Luv ute.

Q. What was your first race car and what do you currently drive
A. The first car I ever drove down the race track was my Junior Dragster at age 11. I currently drive an Areoflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car.

Q. Are there any people that you would like to thank
A. My mum and dad have been a huge support when it comes to racing, so first off I would like to thank them for helping me achieve all my goals. But also without Wendy & Graeme Cowin I would not be living out my dream of racing all around Australia and recently New Zealand so a massive thank-you to both of them for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a life time. Thank-you also to people like my partner Shane, for always being there on race day! Brodie my crew chef, and of course the rest of my crew for always doing an amazing job on race day! Lastly Shane Olive for being an amazing mentor through out my time in the funny car.

Q. Who do you look up to in the sport
A. Definitely the main person I look up to in this sport would have to be my dad! I hope to one day be just as good as him behind the wheel of a race car. As well as people like Shane Olive, Tommy Johnson Junior and Damien Harris.

Q. What are your most memorable moments
A. So far my most memorable moment would have to be getting to race along side my dad for the first time. Following closely was getting to race him in New Zealand, and being able to steal the win off him.

Q. What is your fastest ET and MPH
A. 5.60 260mph
Q. Give a message to the Perth fans
A. No dream is too big or too small, believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.

Awesome that was some very inspiring information there thank you so much Emma for participating for a Q and A it has been great and best of luck next season with the nitro car.

26/06/2020

Q and A with this young fella I could imagine he is expecting a big intro. Anthony Begley is a star but we will find out a bit more about him in another Q and A cheeres Begs

Q. When did you first start drag racing
A. in the ninteis

Q. What was your first ever race car
A. ute

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment
A. Racing in Nitro Funnycar at the 2016 final in Pomona

Q. What is your P.B
A. 4.70 in top fuel

Q. Do you have a favourite racer
A. my kids

Q. Is there anyone that you would like to thank
A. I would like to thank Wendy&GC, Rod Bailey ,my wife , family and my crews

Q. Do you have a message to the fans
A. thanks for all support we couldn’t do it without you.

Your a legend mate thank you and tell the juniors they are next for a Q and A

26/06/2020

Q and A This young up and rising radial drivers dad has already been on for a Q and A we still got his mum brother and sister to have on in the future as well. Young Connor McClure is a champ of a kid always making time to pop in and say hello to all the other racers Connor works for his old man at Urban Concrete solutions WA , they do all aspects of concrete decorative, industrial, Big or small. Find them on Facebook Q and A lets do it

Q. How old were you when you first started drag racing
A. I was 8 years old

Q. What was your first ever race car and what do you currently drive
A. I raced Junior dragsters from the age of 8 till i was 17. Now i race a barra torana in outlaw radial.

Q. Do you have any future plans
A. Keep racing and just let whatever happens happen, you never know.

Q. Who do you look up to
A. Gotta say i look up to my dad of course, cant say i have ever been a mega fan of any racer in particular.

Q. Any one that you would like to thank
A. All my family and the people who support the dream that we live at the racetrack .. couldn't do it without everyone

Q. Do you recommend the sport to others
A. If you love work and hate money... sure

Q. Do You have a message to ALL your fans
A. I don't have fans so idk

Good on you young fella I can definitely see lots of success coming out of the Mclure motor sport team this season cant wait good luck buddy