"VAN" (Sports Desk - 05.02.2025) :: The Pro Drag Racing Championship will be firing on all cylinders as it steams into Tailem Bend for Round Two of the PDRC Series this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, alongside the Summit Racing Equipment Track Championship Series with over 180 entries for the massive event.
For the first time in more than a decade, South Australian fans will be treated to the high revving, 400 kph action of Pro Alcohol with a strong nine car field taking to the Dragway at the Bend.
Led by reigning Champion and current points leader Russell Mills and his unique streamlined dragster, the event will see regular championship contenders such as Daniel Reed, Wayne Price and Jake Donnelly take on West Australian Craig Glassby, Victorians Cameron Ambesi and Wayne Talbot and Britany Olive who will be making her first start in the competitive category.
The local fans will also have a hometown hero to cheer for with Frank Intini making his PDRC debut at his home track, and he is excited for what this event could build into, saying, “Our new home track is sensational, the group assembled to build this icon track were second to none, I still have to pinch myself when I'm there and feels like I'm interstate or in the US.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will continue to grow and improve as time goes on, the Peregrine Group have built an oasis in what was baron dry bushland, far exceeding my wildest dreams. To have this facility in our home state is fantastic for family, friends and fans to travel and hour or so to witness the spectacle of drag racing is so special”.
Pro Mod will be making their first ever appearance in South Australia, with the still-relatively new class with a full field of 8 starters.
Championship leader Zoran Gajic will be hard to beat with his twin turbo mustang but faces a strong challenge with Supercharged entries from Adam Tassone, Danny Makdessi, Nasser Matta, Andrew Sutton and Shaun Kerkman as well as another twin turbo entry in the form of perennial championship contender Greg Tsakiridis.
Local racer Tassone is keen to but a show on for the hometown crowd, saying, “I’ve only done 31 laps in the car so far. I’m looking forward to this event as the last few events we’ve been battling tyre shake or overpowering the track, and just trying to find that sweet spot, fingers crossed we get down without peddling next week.”
“Brett Gillespie (Crew Chief) can work his magic and make the car go straight down the track, apart from all of that I’m just hanging to race one of my best mates Danny Makdessi in the Devil’s Taxi. There has been a lot of banter lately and I think we are going at it first pass off the trailer!”
The dark horse of the field is undoubtedly the Plymouth Cuda of world-renowned DJ Carl Cox which will be making his first ever start on Australian soil in the car after testing in the US and the UK.
Pro Stock also returns to the Dragway at the Bend for the first time in 2025, with reigning Champion Rob Dekert and current points leader John Barbagallo ready to resume hostilities at Australia’s quickest quarter mile.
“We felt we had a pretty good car that weekend, I’ve had a couple red lights in the last two finals and I was a touch too conservative on the light, but highly motivated for the next race meeting,” said Dekert.
“I’m really trying to dial in and focus on my reaction times and try and get back on track for the rest of this season. I was happy with the performance, just trying to now be a little bit more consistent on the parts of racing that I have been lacking in the last couple race meetings”.
With rookie Thomas Leake as well as veterans Chris Soldatos, Rick Chilton, Tony Polito, Ray Oxley and Mario Polito set to fire, Pro Stock is shaping to be one of the most competitive categories at the Bend this weekend.
For the first time in a very long time, Luke Crowley is not leading the Pro Bike points Championship – that honour goes to local South Aussie Jason Lee who is looking to consolidate a strong start to this years title race.
With a full field of 8 bikes including former National Champions Lee, Crowley, Locky Ireland and Scott white as well as veterans Tony Frost and Paul Andrews Pro bike is enjoying a resurgence in popularity in 2025.
Callum Godeassi making a return to the sport after a long layoff, and Matt Walden will make his first start in the competitive category this weekend.
With drivers or riders representing every state and territory including Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT this weekend has a true “big event” vibe in the nearby townships of Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge, a sentiment confirmed by PDRC General manager Jason Hedges.
“I’ve been on the ground here for a week, doing some co-promotion with the Australian Sprintcar Title last weekend in Murray Bridge but also working with local businesses to help bring some awareness to what we are building with the PDRC”.
“I have had nothing but positive feedback and I cannot wait to put on a big show for some fans who have not seen this type of racing and some of these cars for a very long time!” Hedges enthused.
Saturday nights racing will conclude with a massive fireworks show, providing extra value for the local fans – with 2 day passes available and kids under 15 FREE.
Hedges concluded, “Every ticket is a pit pass – our sport is the most accessible that you will ever find and I hope that we convert a few new fans to the straightline sport this weekend!”
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