Pictured left to right is Dave Coles, Steven Wockner, Stephen Reilly, Nathan Peirano, Glenn Willetts, Steve Courtney and Peter Deguara (kneeling)
The 1998 Willowbank Ken Lowe Race Cars Modified Eliminator Track Champion and 1998 Rookie of the Year has been out in secret testing working on fuel system refinements. David says, "I want to get some testing done before the new season starts. We aren't going to do much different than we did last year, but now we have more information to make decisions with. I am really looking forward to the start of the new season."
They've just returned from an event filled drag racing holiday in the U.S. where they took in the U.S. Nationals at Indy and many other drag racing related points of interest. Warren says, "Katherine and I are looking forward to the start of racing again this year. There are a couple of very small changes we are making for the new season but with our car being one of the quickest in Modified already we are going to work on consistency now."
Graham's new Ken Lowe Race Cars Top Comp dragster is almost ready to go. The report is that it will be racing by the October 10 race at Willowbank. Graham says, "The old car was just too tight to comfortably drive, I am really looking forward to this next season and racing my new race car. I think our consistency will improve since I fit the new car so well."
Tony and his crew received the best presented award for a car/team for Group 2,3,4 for the 1998 season. When contacted about receiving the award, Tony said, "We always want to present ourselves well to best represent our sponsors as well as drag racing in general. We made enough laps in the car last year to get very comfortable in the car. Now our goal for the 1999 season is to freshen up the old tired engine with some new parts and step up the combination to make us more competitive."
Gary is assembling a couple of engines for the 1999 season. One is a hopped up version of the standard A/Dragster engine that he has raced for several years now. Spending several days on the flow bench at Ken Lowe Fuel Systems, he now feels like he has a selection of "tune ups" to try. One of the tune ups is going on a 602 cubic inch hemi Ford to run the first 6 second time for a non-supercharged car in Australia. He has been burning the midnight oil on the new combination using some of the technology from the mountain motor Pro Stocks of the IHRA.
Mark says, "The car is ready for the 1999 season right now. I am going to take a bit of a drag racing holiday and my crew chief Peter Miller and I are going to the U.S. to see a couple of races. Ken Lowe and I have talked about the direction of where we want to go with the car and we are in agreement. I just can't discuss it right now. We will be there at the first race of the new season."
Greg's new KLRC 23 T altered will race in BB/Altered with a 383 Chrysler wedge. The car is painted and detailed with only some machine work left on the engine and then assembly. Greg says, "We have almost all the bits now and only have to final assemble the car and get Ken to do the fuel system and we will be ready to debut the car."
Rodney has had his new KLRC modified dragster for about 4 months now. He is not saying much about how the final progress is coming but as soon as we know --- you will know.
Kevin's new left hand steer 27 Ford roadster is just coming off the jig at KLRC. Kevin has all the running gear ready to go in the car as soon as the chassis is ready. It should be ready for preassembly in about a month. Kevin is going to start with a small block injected Chevy before he steps up to the supercharged engine for the car.
Graham's new KLRC modified dragster is on the jig at KLRC. If the new car is not done in time for the new season they will race the old car that they won the Willowbank Ken Lowe Race Cars Modified track championship with in 1997. The new car will fit both Graham and his father Bob and at this time no one is saying if they are a two car family or not.
Graham's twin engine (2 X 454 Chevy) supercharged alcohol burning 48 Fiat Topolino is nearing completion. The car was finished at KLRC several months ago and needed the fibreglass done and then paint and assembly. Graham is working out of the country now and it makes it difficult to oversee the finish details. Estimated debut time should be by the first of the year.
Roly's got his KLRC nostalgia front engine dragster up for sale. His work load does not allow him to pursue the challenge of racing at the moment. We all hope that he changes his mind and gets the car back to the race track as it is a real crowd pleaser.
Simon's very popular, KLRC built, small block Chevy powered red VW is being stepped up with the addition of a supercharger on the small block. Simon wants to compete in the Top Comp class at Willowbank Raceway. The lack of funds often challenges the drag racer and some rise to the challenge and Simon is one of them. He has built his own "Bugcatcher" injector hat, using good quality components with an Enderle 80A pump and a good barrel valve. He has made the parts that he cannot afford and purchased the parts that he cannot make. This is ingenuity in action.
Who was it in Gladstone that has a Willys Top Doorslammer that just bought a KLRC fibreglass 27 Roadster body ?
What alleged Canadian drag racer has already pulled back from his published plans to challenge for the 1999 Australian Top Alcohol Championship series ?
If you've got any news, scoops, tips or tricks to pass along for the next issue, e-mail us at Northern Thunder or Ken Lowe Race Cars.
