Aussie Drag Photos from Perth

[Cliff]

GALLERY: Nitro Challenge at Perth Motorplex

A strong field of local nitro cars took part in the first round of a newly announced three-part series alongside hundreds of WA sportsman racers at Perth Motorplex on December 12.

dragnews.com.au

 

[Dennis]

love to see the Boston Strangler back on the track!

 

[BigPlanDan]

Great photos and video, Cliff. Thanks!

 

[Pete]

GREAT PICS & VIDEOS, thank you!!

Great to see the Strangler still going....this is actually a 1989 Olds Cutlass (former Karp/Hughes/Sweet Mountain Dew car), that Bob Sweet took over driving in '91 and sold the end of '95. Sad story about Sweet...he was a contender with this car in 93-94 but just couldn't get over the hump. To get to the next level he bought Randy Anderson's complete TAFC championship car in '95 to run for title. Anderson gave tuning consultation...first race of the year, he was seriously injured in a crash and hung up the gloves.

 

[Luke Nieuwhof]

It may interest you to know the Boston Strangler look was recreated as a wrap.
Ian Brown drove the car for the Lush Bros in Australia, but it was later repainted in sponsor colors. The car was sold and went through some different hands and then Ian bought the car a couple of years ago and turned back the clock.
His daughter Madison, who was quite good in Juniors, will drive it soon.

 

[cdag]

GREAT PICS & VIDEOS, thank you!!

Great to see the Strangler still going....this is actually a 1989 Olds Cutlass (former Karp/Hughes/Sweet Mountain Dew car), that Bob Sweet took over driving in '91 and sold the end of '95. Sad story about Sweet...he was a contender with this car in 93-94 but just couldn't get over the hump. To get to the next level he bought Randy Anderson's complete TAFC championship car in '95 to run for title. Anderson gave tuning consultation...first race of the year, he was seriously injured in a crash and hung up the gloves.

View attachment 7133

Bob Sweet certainly had a clean, first class operation. Bill Dempsey tuning, a former Force cab-over & trailer. After the accident, Linda wasn't so keen on Bob driving again.

 

[Luke Nieuwhof]

Here is the car as it looks today, with the matching Junior Dragster.

Here is a photo as it was being loaded up to be sent to the other side of the world!

On track at Ravenswood International Raceway in Western Australia, the home of drag racing for the state until Perth Motorplex was built.

 

[Pete]

Bob Sweet certainly had a clean, first class operation. Bill Dempsey tuning, a former Force cab-over & trailer. After the accident, Linda wasn't so keen on Bob driving again.

definitely a first class operation! but the rig was Bernsteins, sold to Skuza when he started running NHRA in 1993

 

[Dennis]

definitely a first class operation! but the rig was Bernsteins, sold to Skuza when he started running NHRA in 1993

Yep that was quite the talk back then, the local guy going "big leagues". Don't get me wrong in the north east we always had Newberry and Manzo but this was the start of the "pro sportsman" with the big rigs and polished operations.

That car probably ranks in the top 3 of my favorite all time drag racing cars. That new wrap just doesn't do the paint job justice.

 

[Cliff]

I was thinking you could "blame" Billy Meyer for having the first big rig in Pro ranks. But then I saw photos from the late 1950's & there was a team with a big rig. they just had a regular trailer, not like today,. but maybe they were the first. It is a practical idea, like a rolling machine shop.

 

[cdag]

definitely a first class operation! but the rig was Bernsteins, sold to Skuza when he started running NHRA in 1993

Yeah, that's the one! Thanks Pete!

 

[mike]

Photos I took of the car on its debut meeting in Australia.

 

[Flicka]

I was thinking you could "blame" Billy Meyer for having the first big rig in Pro ranks. But then I saw photos from the late 1950's & there was a team with a big rig. they just had a regular trailer, not like today,. but maybe they were the first. It is a practical idea, like a rolling machine shop.

I was thinking you could "blame" Billy Meyer for having the first big rig in Pro ranks. But then I saw photos from the late 1950's & there was a team with a big rig. they just had a regular trailer, not like today,. but maybe they were the first. It is a practical idea, like a rolling machine shop.

I believe it was John Bradamer at Great Bend Kansas in 1955 forgive the spelling

 

[Cliff]

David, would that be John Bandemier, of Bandemier Raceway in Denver?