The Monaro (GTO) of Ben Bray (near lane) was a surprise finalist against current champ John Zappia as his semi-final opponent, second qualifier Peter Kapiris had his clutch drag him through the lights prior to his semi-final race. Here Bray took the lead off the line over Zappia by over seven hundreths but the big Hemi of Zappia slowly reeled in his opponent taking the win with a 5.836/248.02 over a second best 5.913/246.89.

John Zappia was lucky to make it into the first all five second Top Doorslammer field as parts breakage on his first two runs had him on the outside looking in prior to a do or die last qualifying pass. There the multi-Australian champ ran right down broadway to record a four best 5.915 lap. Eliminations were a tad easier as he reset the ET portion of the national record with a 5.801 in the first round, an on the brakes 5.952 when opponent, Robin Judd speared over into his lane and then a record backing 5.8836/248.02over opponent, Ben Bray’s  5.913/246.89.

Likeable second generation  racer, Ben Bray was doing double duty at the race driving  this Holden Monaro as well as Import Scion that he reeled 6.5s with ease. Bray was on his A game qualifying with a 5.907 that was good for third.  A 6.00flat was all that was needed in the first round when opponent, Mark Belleri shut off early and he took a early shut off 9.95 when opponent, Peter Kapris dragged his Dodge Saratoga though the lights to face Zappia in the final. There, despite a sizeable seven hundredths hole shot his 5.913 was never going to hold back Zap’s stellar 5.83.

Robin Judd was psyched up before the race hoping to repeat the 5.7 second pass of late last year. While his best wasn’t in that territory, a 5.836 at 251mph was good enough for the top qualifying position. In round one he received a freebie when opponent, Maurice Fabietti couldn’t start the engine on his car prior to the race and a straight and true 5.953 248.29 put him in the semis against arch rival, John Zappia. After grabbing some five hundredths off the line his Studebaker went into violent tyre shake spearing the car hard left into Zappia lane. Both drivers did a brilliant job to not hit each other and Judd was forced to follow the winning Zappia through the lights in his lane.

Stuart Bishop bought his beautiful ’67 Camaro down from Queensland with new livery. His once yellow paint scheme was accented now with a carbon-fibre black wrap that really sets off the car. He managed to qualify fifth for Australia’s quickest ever field and faced John Zappia in the first frame. Anyone who faces the current champs has to be on top of his game but a .604 reaction time was never going to win. His early shut off 6.32 was never going to catch a Low ET of the Meet 5.801.