On Wednesday, January 3, 1996 we took our car out to AIR (Adelaide International Raceway) in an attempt to run it for the first time in preparation for licensing at the following Saturday's meeting. None of us had ever worked on a blown car before and we had only once started it at home. By coincidence, Gary Densham's crew was at the track and helped calm my paranoia about kicking a rod out simply from starting it up and driving it down the track. Two years to the day, on January 3, 1998 we won our first meeting with the same engine. That wouldn't have been possible without the help and support of over a hundred people we had never even met before we hit the track.

Special thanks must firstly go to Murray Anderson who had to put up not only with the car in his shop for three years while I saved money to pay for it, but also for the constant phone calls and questions. Nothing was ever too much of a hassle - a true Aussie talent that deserves his international success. George Clasby had to put up with just as many questions and became our local second-hand spare parts supplier. Thank you, we all appreciate your help, advice and the time you have given us. Peter and Helen Russo not only showed us if you put your mind to it, anything is possible, but also to the magic properties of the "healing bin" - highly recommended - although they never saw what we pulled out of ours!

Camp Stanley not only looked after us from the other side of the Pacific, but introduced himself, offered us and gave up a large slice of his time at the '97 Nationals with Norm Drazy, to not only just help set up the PSI but to teach the team and myself the basics of running a car like this. They both saw what went from the healing bin back into the car and discreetly told us not to show anyone else and they would deny any knowledge. I never understood why they said that. We learnt heaps that weekend and can't ever thank you both enough. To the other TA teams, thanks for making us feel so welcome. That's not only at the Nationals but at every other meeting and also for putting up with our - you guessed it - questions and borrowing parts.

All the local blown teams, thanks for all your help and patience in our times of need at the track - every 10 minutes! I guess I've got no excuse for not having a timing light and a tyre pressure gauge now. You'll have to try out my new flash one! Peter Kapiris, Victor Bray and teams for getting us out of trouble when you were in town and in the thick of it yourselves - true racers, the effort was always appreciated.

The staff of AIR, Calder and ANDRA for putting up with what could only be described as my extremely poor organizational skills. The track officials at both AIR and Calder, especially those in scrutineering who endured hours of boredom waiting for us to get there. The braking area guys - if they're not having to push me off the track I'm trying to run them down or scare the absolute crap out of them. Sorry!

Thanks to the track announcers for keeping my sponsors happy. All the people involved with Drag Racing Today, congratulations and thanks for the coverage, the sponsors love it. Peter Polson, Steven White (Beavis and Butthead - I need PP for my photo). Alan Chaplin, Mick O'Hara, Robert Riggs and Brett Stevens, thanks for making the car seem better in the magazine than it performs on the track. We feel as if we achieved so much more than we actually did!

Personally, I would also like to thank my Dad for letting us borrow the car to tow the damn thing around and for all his help at the track. My current crew Daniel Hodgins, Simeon and Daneil Van Castren, Monica Van Riet, Danniel Chegla and those who have helped in the past, Scotty Jeffrey, Matt Sumner, Drazen Admizic, Steve Dangerfield and John Ambler who have all put in a tremendous amount of work in very trying and B-grade conditions, along with the usual gang up the "shed".

Thanks to Adrian Pozzebon and Bob Pengilly for, that's right, phone calls, questions and light entertainment. Wayne Topp for all his help and advice - except for the bit about not doing big burnouts in dragsters. I know it's not good for the car - but sometimes, ya just have ta! To Mike Stewart, Dave Hawke and John Handley, thanks for the inspiration and now the competition. I love it, even when we are on the losing end, although Dave probably wishes he told me to bugger off out of his pit area when I used to hang around and watch all those years ago. Can't forget Bob Wilson up in Canada. Best wishes, good luck for your season, and see you soon!

Thanks to the Adelaide and Calder spectators for their vocal support. It certainly makes us feel as if we achieved something and it gives me an excuse to hang a big skid! Also, Leon at Awesome Automotive and Earl from House of Kolor for the killer paint jobs and everyone at the Top Eliminator DRC, thanks for your help.

Our sponsors, Tonkin's Car Audio, MK Birrel and Co. Electroplaters, SENet Internet Services, Southern Exhaust, Powertrans Transmissions, Chris Milton Engine Developments, Anderson Race Cars, O.G. Speed Shop, Wall-T-Wall Tyres, Allyworks, Southgate Plaza Newsagency - we definitely couldn't do it without you guys

Finally, thanks to three important people. AJ for all your effort and work on the car over the last three years, my Mum Trish for believing in me from the start and giving her ongoing support since day one, and to the most dedicated crew chief in the business, Brad James. Thanks mate, after eight and a bit years of dreaming we finally did it. Without your organization I'd still be looking for my license and log book.

Again, thank you all and if I've missed you out I apologize, as I'm still too excited to think properly yet. If there is any way we can ever help anyone out, whether we know you or not, just yell out because we love drag racing. It's the most addictive thing on earth and we wouldn't want anyone to miss out on getting their fix!

Good luck to all in 1998 and remember, if a couple of nuggets like us can do it, anyone can! That's what makes drag racing what it is.