Night one of the Southside Engine Centre Summer Series has been held at the Motorplex, although down on numbers the emphasis was on quality.

Loads of new gear was on show for the opening night with the addition of competitor flags added to the spectacle in the pits with spectators mingling in the pit area able to easily identify the various teams.

Track conditions proved to be extreme. As is the case with the Motorplex if the track starts heavy in the evening it generally drags moisture to the top and gets faster and rougher.

First race of the new season had the two new Sweet cars on the front row. Car 4 Big Bad Bert on pole and car 81 the Dustman outside. The pace was a cracker from the outset with the z link combination of Higgs grabbing the gold.
Race two saw State Champion #43 Marc Giancola surge to the lead only to be run down by Dusty and had to settle for second. A later inspection of the 43 Dominator found to be running on 5 cylinders. The engine had melted 3 spark plugs and the headers were white hot. Frantic work on the engine was happening in the Giancola pit bay to ensure Marc could finish the third race.

Race three had a Higgs, Giancola front row as they had the highest points for the night. The Dominator domiciled WA1 took off like a scolded cat and was never headed and won the event easily.
With Kwinana running the triple challenge system the results for the night were;

1st 81 Gary Higgs Sweet
2nd 43 Marc Giancola Dominator
3rd 91 Darren Larson Rocket (on count back)
4th 82 Dustin Higgs Rocket

Broome hot shot had a frustrating night chasing an engine misfire. Darren Larson had an exceptional night handling the heavy conditions well. Young 16 year old Kyle Larson handled himself well on his first night at the Plex.
Big Bad Bert had a diff issue in the third race and was unlucky to not be on the podium. Bert was recipient of the clubs ‘hard luck’ award kindly donated by Torque Wear in Broome.

The father and son Green team of Terry and Tristan had a mixed night with Terrys Holden having electrical issues. On the grid in race three the 300ZX of Tristans looked spectacular and unusual with the Haltech dash glowing.

Superman Dustin Higgs was lurking at the pointy end of the field most of the night. Nashy is on a learning curve in his new car and will be menacing the front runners soon. Carnarvon boys Blake Jackson and Peter Lyall made the 1000km haul down the highway with both unfortunately plaqued with dramas.

All in all a good start to the series. Next meeting is an important race at the Perth Motorplex to celebrate the life of Michael Figliomeni 34. This is the first blue ribbon event for this season. Fantastic sponsorship secured by SSRC will allow us to offer the winner of the event $3400. Stay tuned for this special announcement within the next day or so.

SO BIG PRIZE MONEY, BIG CROWDS, BIG CAR COUNT – BRING IT ON !!

Lets show the Magic Man and his family how dear to our hearts he was.

Media Release
Glenn Piper
glennpiper@live.com

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