One would think that if you recorded a .180 light that you’d have Buckley’s chance [i.e. no chance – Ed.] of winning a race, well Steve Ham (near lane) did. Queenslander, Ham ended up nodding off when the green light flickered on and his opponent, Wayne Price, had already left .110 seconds after it came on. Despite this Ham set off in hot pursuit and had caught his Victorian opponent by the 330 clocks. He then extended his lead to the finish-line clicking on the win light in 5.498 to overwhelm Price’s Dodge Charger back on a 5.609.

In the first round of eliminations Steve Ham had just taken a win over Jason Maggs’ dragster when this happened. Between the spectator mound and the hill above the braking area is a flat space for ambulances to come in and out and a violent cross wind caught a few drivers out. Still, Ham had the car straightened very quickly and was able to return for his semifinal race with Robert Ambrosi. In the final, despite a tardy light his 5.498 was enough to turn back Wayne Price’s 5.609.

Wayne Price knew that he had to pull a good light to win over 16-time national Alcohol champion, Gary Phillips and his .009 certainly went a long way to doing that but it was Phillips’ .190 tardy bulb that really helped. In trying to catch the speedy Victorian, Phillips ran the quickest losing Pro alcohol time ever, a 5.433 at 265.85 while Price clicked the win light with a 5.598. “I guess when you are sitting on the start-line thinking if the tune up is correct, the settings in the can are fine and everything else, then sometimes you aren’t as sharp as you should be,” he admitted. “I don’t know why I worry as Shane [his son] has a real handle on the car,” he added. Still Phillips walked away with the Top Qualifier medallion and points for top speed and low ET.

If I were to hand out a most improved award it would go to Victorian racer Wayne Price. His latest Dodge Charger has given him a car that is on par with the opposition, and a solid BAE engine combination has given him the consistency to make it to the finals. He had come to Sydney early and had completed testing which he was happy with and qualified with a sixth best 5.651. When Steve Reed had problems in the first round he soloed to a 5.964 that was followed by his sensational .009 lit 5.598 drubbing of Gary Phillips’ 5.433. He again grabbed seven hundredths on Steve Ham in the final, however his 5.609 was just pipped by his opponent’s 5.498.