WHERE IS AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING HEADED IN A POST COVID-19 WORLD? - FINAL INSTALLMENT

The twin forces of a pandemic and economic downturn has provided a unique opportunity to reset the sport for the first time since the formation of ANDRA in 1973. The crisis will irrevocably alter how drag racing will be conducted in the future. There is no ‘snapping’ back to what was: in fact, that would be a wasted opportunity.

To understand the magnitude of the challenges ahead, you need to examine the structure of drag racing in Australia.

There are two sanctioning bodies for the sport, ANDRA and IHRA Australia.

ANDRA is responsible for the ten-round Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman series held at member-affiliated tracks primarily across rural Australia. IHRA Australia is the sanctioning body for the 400 Thunder series that includes three rounds of Pro level racing at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway plus a six-round Sportsman series.

Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration is the perennial question of where Calder Park Raceway, on the outskirts of Melbourne, and the spiritual home of drag racing in the country will fit into the brave new world of post-Covid 19 racing.

The last event of note at the venue was the 2017 ANDRA Nationals that also featured Top Fuel match racing and attracted a near-capacity crowd, testament to the pent-up demand for drag racing in Australia’s second-largest city.

The consensus is that Post Covid-19 race starved competitors and fans will return in droves to events. After that initial euphoria, there is a myriad of priorities and challenges that need to be addressed to help the sport recover and return to the Australian motorsport landscape.

The next event on the 400T calendar is the Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, September 17-20. However, the meeting is under a cloud due to government border closures and ongoing social distancing laws. The release of the ANDRA calendar is also on hold.

To get some skin on how Australian drag racing may rebound, Competition Plus has canvassed a broad cross-section of views from key stakeholders, racers, team owners and industry experts in the Australian drag racing community.

THE FINAL WORD - JOHN DOIG

Stuck in the staging lanes and waiting for the rain to clear is probably an apt metaphor for where Australian drag racing is at the moment. This series has provided an opportunity to have a real conversation about where the sport may be headed.

A big shout out to those who participated, in some cases, knowing they were walking into a veritable minefield and making themselves a sitting target from the grandstand warriors and self-appointed custodians of the sport. The so-called Tall Poppy syndrome, where people are attacked, criticised, cut down, and trolled because of who they are, and their opinions has become a national sport in Australia.

The chance of a return to racing in 2020 is becoming bleak. Not impossible, but not likely. The only certainty is uncertain.

Australia, to date, has survived the worst of COVID -19. Just when there appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel, fresh outbreaks in the last week have caused further border shutdowns between the states. Victoria, the country's second-largest state announced today new lockdown restrictions including a curfew between 8pm and 5am for at least the next six weeks.

Most teams, during the enforced lay off, will have squirreled away money. So, their return to racing will be akin to the first day of school after summer vacation. There will be the thrill of seeing familiar faces, an infectious buzz around the pits, but tinged with sadness for those who are missing.

The euphoria surrounding the return to racing will inevitably fade. At the same time the economic tsunami created by Covid-19 will continue to wreak havoc. How the sport responds to the economic aftershocks will be critical in creating a long-term future for drag racing in Australia.

As Charles Darwin noted in his book ‘On the Origin of Species.’ ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

8/3/2020 - STEVE BETTES

Steve Bettes is the most experienced administrator in Australian Drag Racing. In a career covering four decades, he has been manager at Calder Park, Heathcote, and Willowbank Raceway’s and currently is General Manager of 400 Thunder. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he is also father to Kelly Bettes, the first and only woman to win an Australian Top Fuel championship.

The Australian Professional Drag Racing Ltd, IHRA, Sydney Dragway, and 400 Thunder, were approached to be part of the series. Bettes, on behalf of all the parties, replied, “Because we all work so close together, we felt that the following answers are representative of our collective views. We also wanted to take the opportunity to clarify the roles of each group, because there is still some confusion within the marketplace.

“IHRA Australia is an independent sanctioning body of drag racing in Australia and is headed by Maurice Allen. The body is also responsible for the technical, safety, licencing, rule implementation, and policing of the sport. They also provide public liability and personal driver/ rider accident insurance policies to their members and affiliated tracks.

APDR is the management company for the 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman drag racing series. It is responsible for the development and implementation of the 400 Thunder calendar and works with the venues and IHRA Australia to manage the calendar and other events. Tony Wedlock from Willowbank Raceway heads the six-member board.

APDR also oversees the work of the APDR PRO and Sportsman Commissions. Both organisations blend a mix of racer and track representatives. Allen and Bettes also provide input on rules and regulations to IHRA Australia.

The body also manages and coordinates the television production, Live stream, and distribution of the 400 Thunder Series in Australia and globally. APDR is also responsible for the marketing, activation, and promotion of the series.

COMPETITIONPLUS AUSTRALIA - Many drag racers are self-employed small business owners who race because of their love and passion. They also are one of the groups most heavily affected by the impact COVID-19 has wreaked on the Australian economy. What steps will help them return to racing?

STEVE BETTES - The shutdown of the economy has affected the teams involved in the 400 Thunder Championship and the venues that operate in the sport.

There is little doubt that Covid-19 will change the landscape of sporting organisations and sports across Australia. We want to ensure sustainability to our tracks, our competitors, and the championship as a whole.

The race teams and venues are the lifeblood of the championship. Drag Racing is part of the entertainment business, and the impact on our member venue’s operations has been significant.

A recent report highlighted that around one in four sporting organisations would not be operational by the end of the year, and that highlights the importance of all venues to be financial responsibly leading out of Covid-19.

It is the responsibility of APDR and the tracks to create an affordable calendar of events, the right TV Coverage, and Live stream of the events so the series, tracks, and competitors can secure corporate partners for when the sport returns to full operation following Covid-19.

CPA - Would introducing1000 feet race distance across all categories help reduce costs?

SB - A blanket introduction of 1000ft racing is not considered a major cost-saving exercise but could be considered if it were deemed by the APDR Board, IHRA, and representatives of the PRO and Sportsman Commissions to be necessary for safety reasons.

Safety is our primary objective. We work together with our competitors base and venues, to make the sport safer and bring Australia into line with the rest of the world. The introduction of 1000ft racing by IHRA Australia was predominately for safety reasons following discussions with Top Fuel Australia and the PRO Commission.

A by-product of this move has seen the competition between Top Fuel teams the best it’s ever been in this country. Additionally, there have also been some resultant cost savings to the teams achieved by this move.

The recent implementation of a blueprint for the new IHRA track safety specifications incorporating longer shutdown areas, dual safety net systems, sand trap design and the use of electromotion, which are being incorporated into the design of our new IHRA quarter-mile facilities will ensure the future of quarter-mile racing in Australia will continue.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from AUD59 cents to AUD71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

SB - With the bulk of competitors purchasing parts out of the USA, either directly or via an Australia distributor, the price of the Australian dollar relative to the US has a major impact on the cost of racing in Australia. This issue is nothing new and has been around since the Australia dollar was initially floated.

Drag Racers continue to adapt to the fluctuations. It’s a bit like the price of petrol and the way it fluctuates. There’s not much the consumer can do about it.

We are pushing the idea of cost containment across all brackets to get racers thinking about the rules governing the operation of their brackets and, importantly, the cost for them to compete. We are mindful that we cannot continue to see the cost of competition continue to rise, because sadly, not everyone can afford to compete at the level they want, due to costs. We need to ensure that we maintain as many racers as possible.

For example, with the introduction of IHRA Pro Mod, APDR moved to develop a fixed index class, which was designed primarily to reduce costs.

CPA - In recent times the numbers in Top Fuel have remained static around six to seven at each event. There are a lot of cars out there that are sitting idle. So, what needs to happen to attract more entries?

SB - It is no easy task fielding a Top Fuel Dragster, and over the recent years, APDR and the tracks have worked closely with the teams to ensure that the calendar of events in the championship provides teams with the best opportunity to race. Additionally, APDR has worked with the teams to increase the level of prize money on offer to help the team as much as possible. The introduction of the move to 1,000 feet has also helped from a cost perspective.

The current group of Top Fuel teams are all working extremely hard to keep the category strong. The cost of competing, especially in Top Fuel, is astronomical, and sadly that is what limits the number of entries not only here in Australia but across the world.

We acknowledge and respect every Top Fuel team for their passion, dedication, and support of the category. In particular, we recognize the contribution of Santo Rapisarda and Rapisarda Autosport International in fielding three cars at all rounds of the championship.

With the 400 Thunder series now achieving over 1.6 Million viewers on our various media platforms, Speedweek, Fox sports, and OVO Play, there are encouraging signs of more corporate support happening.

APDR and the tracks acknowledge that Top Fuel is the King of the Sport, and we are working extremely hard to continue building the right platform of events, prize money, television coverage, live streaming, and sponsorship activation to encourage more teams across all categories, to participate in the 400 Thunder series.

CPA - IHRA introduced the American style Pro Mod category at Sydney Dragway earlier this year. There are parity issues that need to be addressed but could see ‘Aussie’ grown Pro Slammer and Pro Mod race each other in a ‘super’ category?

SB - APDR and IHRA Australia have been working for some time on introducing the IHRA PRO Mod Category in Australia with the intention of running it separately to Pro Slammer. We have no concerns around parity issues, as the concept is for both categories to exist in their own right and not run together.

The current racing formats are completely different between the two categories.

At this time, there is no intention of combining the brackets. We continue to see a bright future for both Pro Slammer and Pro Mod. If in the future, there is some desire within the competitor base or marketplace, we may consider changes. However, right now, this is not on our radar.

CPA - At the moment, drag racing is at a standstill. Is it possible for ANDRA and 400 Thunder to put aside their differences and begin working together for the betterment of the sport?

SB - We believe that it is important to state from the perspective of APDR that we don’t have any issues with ANDRA, their members, or tracks.

APDR / 400 Thunder and IHRA Australia welcomes all competitors and tracks that wish to join our existing operation to further expand and grow the sport into the future.

It is also especially important for all stakeholders to understand the reasons for the creation of APDR and IHRA in the first place. Then and only then, will a clear understanding emerge and show that the future direction of the sport of drag racing in this country is with APDR and IHRA Australia.

We are working together on platforms to provide an increased safety level to all competitors and reduce costs to tracks and competitors. Before the introduction of IHRA Australia, the costs within the sport were significantly higher than at present. Cost reduction is important across all facets of the sport.

CPA - Post Covid-19 where are you looking to grow the sport?

SB - We are working closely with APDR to make sure that the sport grows strongly with the addition of new and exciting tracks coming on-board with IHRA sanctioning over the next 12 to 18 months. Several brand-new quarter-mile facilities, particularly in areas including Townsville, Dubbo, Tailem Bend, and the return of existing facilities like Heathcote Park and Swan Hill, will join the series and expand the 400 Thunder Series to new heights.

We are already seeing tracks reopen for business, especially within Queensland, and once the upgrades to Sydney Dragway are completed, we look forward to seeing the venue reopen. However, business post-COVID-19 will be different, and it is important that we all work together to make the sport better.

IHRA already has over 3000 license holders and is the largest sanctioning body in Australia.

CPA - The ANDRA Sportsman series and the 400 Thunder Sportsman series currently run as two separate entities. Could both series come together once a year for a season-ending championship meeting?

SB - The simple answer is no. The APDR / 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman Drag Racing Series currently run at Australia’s premier tracks with additional venues scheduled to become part of these Championships in the near future. APDR / 400 Thunder and IHRA Australia welcomes all competitors and tracks that wish to join our existing series to further expand and grow the sport into the future.

CPA - Calder Park Raceway has undergone a major refurbishment. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

SB - We welcome the updates at Calder Park. For too long, spectators and competitors alike in Victoria have been starved of Championship Drag Racing. Provided Calder Park meets the safety standards set down by IHRA and is sanctioned by IHRA for any championship round, then APDR looks forward to taking the 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman Drag Racing Series to Calder Park.

CPA - Since 400 Thunder came into existence, the series has run at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway. How important is it for the series to expand and include Hidden Valley Raceway and the Perth Motorplex?

SB - The 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series and IHRA Australia are on an extensive expansion plan over the next several years, and we would welcome expansion into existing quarter-mile racetracks across Australia that meet our safety standard guidelines.

All new racetracks being built or planned have aligned themselves to the 400 Thunder Championship. It would only be a natural extension of that growth to include both Perth Motorplex and Hidden Valley Raceway to run the 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman Drag Racing Series as soon as possible.

CPA - In the NHRA, the stars are the drivers. Here in Australia, we have tended to make the cars the stars. Should we rethink how we go about promoting the sport?

SB - 400 Thunder over recent years has spent a lot of time in our live stream and television broadcasts promoting the drivers.

However, there is a lot more that can be achieved. We are working on developing a brand-new website that will provide the race fans and media with an enormous bank of information on our leading drivers and riders in the sport. Further opportunities will evolve through some new ideas that we have for the television coverage and live streaming of the 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series.

CPA - The 400 Thunder season currently runs from November to June. In the past, a January to December calendar year schedule has been raised many times. Should the idea be revisited?

SB - The question of the timing of the Championship season has been raised many times before, and the racing season has been changed a couple of times before for various reasons.

At this point in time, the APDR Board's opinion is to maintain what has been a successful model for many years, with the racing season culminating at the Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway in June.

This format has a lot going for it by providing the Grand Final of the series in near-perfect weather conditions. Also, at a time of year, most of the competitors from all over Australia are able to attend. However, in the future, the sport may require a change in this area for other reasons. The APDR Board is committed to reviewing this decision when and if those circumstances arise.

CPA - Mello Yello is the naming rights sponsor for the NHRA. You need to go back to the 1990s to see the last time Pro level drag racing in Australia had a naming right sponsor. How important is a marque sponsor in attracting other sponsors to join the 400 Thunder series? END

SB - A marquee sponsor for the 400 Thunder Professional and Sportsman Drag Racing Series is extremely important and is one of our major goals post-Covid.

To achieve this goal, we have been working to put the right structure in place to create exciting opportunities for corporate partners to participate in our series.

We are confident that we are ready to go to market with some great opportunities, backed up by some significant changes to the way we have been presenting our sport on television and live streaming. The best way to frame this answer is to watch this space.

8/2/2020 - CRAIG GEDDES

Craig Geddes, one of the most highly decorated Sportsman racers in Australia, commenced racing in 1992 and won his maiden ANDRA championship in Super Gas three years later. Since then, he has gone on to amass five titles in Competition Eliminator, including a record-breaking four consecutive wins between 2016-19.

Geddes has competed in both the ANDRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and the 400 Thunder Sportsman Series, making him an ideal candidate to discuss what the future holds for Sportsman racing in Australia.

COMPETITIONPLUS AUSTRALIA - Many drag racers are self-employed small business owners who race because of their love and passion for the sport. They also are one of the groups most heavily affected by the impact COVID-19 has wreaked on the Australian economy. What steps will help them return to racing?

CRAIG GEDDES - COVID -19 has had a massive impact on the Australian economy, In Australia, we have seen an alarming increase in cases, over 5 million people are back in lockdown, and the borders of Victoria where I live are closed to all other states. This will have a severe impact on any racing in the near future. A large proportion of drag racers are employed in industrial sectors, which have remained relatively unaffected, these include construction, manufacturing, building, transport, and agriculture. Worth noting and really encouraging is there has been no panic or racers wanting to sell up. All the guys I spoke to are happy to keep their cars, ride this out and go straight back into racing when they can.

CPA - Would introducing1000 feet race distance across all categories help reduce costs?

CG - I’m not a believer that reducing all racing to 1000ft would help reduce costs or increase competitor numbers in the future. There are still large numbers of racers who will not travel to race 1/8 mile or 1000ft events and will only race where quarter-mile is on offer.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from US59 cents to US 71 cents. How critical is the value of the Dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

CG - The Australian Dollar, for as long as I have raced, has always fluctuated. Obviously, the higher it is, the better it is for purchasing cars and parts from the USA, but ultimately it doesn't seem to deter racers. I remember back in the golden years of Australian drag racing, 1995-2000, and the Aussie Dollar was as low as 49 cents compared to the US Dollar. People will always find a way to race.

CPA - We often think of drag racing as only happening in the major capital cities Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. But if you look at grassroots Sportsman racing, the focus is taking the sport to rural Australia that often has limited access to any form of motorsport. Is there room for more expansion?

CG - After the split of 400 Thunder from the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, ANDRA expanded further into regional areas. This has definitely brought the best Sportsman racing into areas never before exposed to such professionalism and great entertainment.

At times, the ANDRA Summit Sportsman Series events have had more entries than 400 Thunder meetings held on the same weekends. There is scope for the sport to go to more tracks but we need to consolidate with our current member tracks first.

CPA - What are the differences between running in the ANDRA and the 400 Thunder Sportsman series?

CG - At ANDRA events, all Sportsman categories are run. At 400 Thunder meetings, some Sportsman categories are excluded and are rotated in and out during their season, depending on the event constraints.

CPA - At the moment, drag racing is at a stand-still, and there is much work to be done before competition resumes, is it possible for ANDRA and 400 Thunder to put aside their differences and begin working together for the betterment of the sport?

CG - Right now, while we are all on hold, would be the perfect time for ANDRA and 400 Thunder to put aside their differences, come back to the negotiation table and find a middle ground, so we can move forward as one united group to build this fantastic sport for all stakeholders into the future.

I know the ANDRA door is always open. We just need that handful of influential and respected 400 Thunder board members to admit the sport can be so much more than it currently is for all the stakeholders on a truly national level. I am sure there is some way we can structure the sport where ANDRA controls the rulebook, insurances, track sanctioning, and the Sportsman Racing while 400 Thunder predominantly looks after the Professional categories.

CPA - The ANDRA Sportsman series and the 400 Thunder Sportsman series currently run as two separate entities. Could both series come together once a year for a season-ending Australian Championship meeting?

CG - I cannot see, at this point, how a combined ANDRA/400 Thunder Championship end of season event could work for the Sportsman racers. The longer the split continues, the further apart the classes and rules become between both sanctioning bodies.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city, and the home of Calder Park Raceway considered by many to be the spiritual home of Australian drag racing. In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the Oz drag racing's most significant events, including the ANDRA Nationals. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

CG - We've heard about upgrades for what seems like forever. It's great that work on fixing the track has been completed. This will be a massive boost to ANDRA sanctioned racing in Victoria. It will also see a return of the ANDRA Nationals, and that will definitely be one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the calendar.

CPA - Both ANDRA and the 400 Thunder series currently run over two calendar years, 2020-2021. A January to December calendar year schedule has been raised several times to bring it into line with all other sports in Australia and make it a more attractive prospect to sponsors. Should the idea be revisited?

CG - Numerous times we have seen discussion regarding the right time frame to run a series during the year. Whether we run a Financial year (July-June) or a true Calendar year (Jan-Dec), personally, I think we need to end the year before the Willowbank Winternationals in June when the poor weather settling in.

8/1/2020 WAYNE ABBOTT

Wayne Abbott is the National Franchise Manager for Hydraulink Hose and Fittings - who in 2020 signed a multi-year deal with leading Top Fuel team Jim Read Racing. The franchise-based company has over 400 service outlets throughout Australia and New Zealand and is a market leader in hydraulic hoses and fittings for various industries, including transport, mining, construction, agriculture, and automotive.

Over the years, Hydraulink’s involvement in motorsport has extended to other categories, including V8 Supercars, Porsche Cup, Speedway, and Rallying.

COMPETITIONPLUS AUSTRALIA - Many drag racers are self-employed small business owners who race because of their love and passion for the sport. They also are one of the groups most heavily affected by the impact Covid-19 has wreaked on the Australian economy. As a company that deals with many motorsport businesses, how do you see drag racing returning post-COVID?

WAYNE ABBOTT - The message is similar across many industries, and there may be some harsh lessons to be learned. If there is one thing that COVID has done, it's highlighted the need to have the backing and support of robust business systems. There will be similar lessons for the drag racing community to learn from COVID when moving forward. Particularly the speed to adapt their product and remain engaged with their sponsors, customers, and fan base. Drag racing provides excellent family entertainment, mums, and dads in the stands with the kids. But is the value there when compared to other options for fans and sponsors? The commercial reality is that corporate sponsors have many options to choose from, and so do families.

How the drag racing community engages with corporate sponsors will be vital moving forward. You need to start defining the product and develop a marketing package for teams to engage with sponsors and get current corporate sponsors involved in the process. They can contribute to the growth and have resources and skills to offer, not just cash. Treat them as stakeholders in this process.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from US59 cents to US71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

WA - So much of what goes into a drag car is dependent on U.S. manufacturers and suppliers. So how do top-level teams work together to reduce or flatten out the cost of racing then? This is another area where drag racing could be looking at its long-term sustainability and what happens in other motorsports categories. What if there were approved suppliers, control parts, and programs that enabled teams to secure supply channels, negotiate price, consolidate parts orders, and reduce costs? Imagine if teams were working together to develop strategic relationships with overseas suppliers, just like any other buying group or franchise network.

CPA - In recent times Top Fuel numbers have remained steady with around six to seven entries at most events. There are many cars out there that are sitting idle. So, what needs to happen to attract more entries? Teams will continue to come and go and race when they can afford it until something changes. Those teams using their small business to fund their racing will need to consider their business plan and what’s required to keep their hobby going. That may include looking for new business opportunities that can support them during these difficult times.

WA - The bigger picture is how the track promotors and series organizers can work together to attract spectators to the drag racing product so that teams have a package of value for potential sponsors. After all, a benefactor will pay to see you race, but a corporate sponsor will want to achieve marketing goals and objectives at a comparable value to other opportunities. Everyone is a stakeholder, and working together is the key.

CPA - Your sponsorship of JRR is a welcome vote of confidence for the sport and, in particular, Top Fuel. How do you see the future of Top Fuel?

WA - Top Fuel is at the pinnacle of motorsport, and as a spectacle, awakens all the senses, provides great entertainment, and leaves people awestruck. We would like to see a regular eight-car field and the ‘all run format’ at each event. It makes good business sense for a sponsor if you have a more consistent product. You couldn’t go wrong having every Top Fuel event as an all run format’.

CPA - Since 400 Thunder came into existence, the Pro series has run at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway. How important is it to Hydraulink to see the sport expand to other markets and Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, and the Perth Motorplex?

WA - I suppose we could joke that racing at only two tracks is a little bit like an engine running on only two cylinders, right? But that's OK for now; we knew what we were getting involved in from the outset, which meant that events would only be at Sydney and Willowbank. This suits us at this point in time and is what we planned for. We would like to eventually see events in all states since Hydraulink has a national network. Moving forward, we will consider how to expand with the category when the timing is right.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city, and the home of Calder Park Raceway is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Australian drag racing. In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the Australian drag calendars' biggest events, including the ANDRA Nationals. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing? How important to Hydraulink and your client base is the return of Calder Park to Pro level racing?

WA - Melbourne fans love a good drag race meeting. We have a strong network of Hydraulink Hose Centres in Victoria, and the return of the sport to CP will potentially be a key component in our marketing strategy as it will be for the growth of drag racing.

CPA - What would you say to other sponsors thinking about dipping their toes in the water and becoming involved in drag racing?

WA - The timing is right. Just look at some of the current benefits; the ‘all run format’ in Top Fuel provides a great showcase for drag racing, the other professional and sportsman categories have strong competitive fields with plenty of alternative entry points for sponsorship opportunities. The events are professionally run and provide a concise entertainment package that is great for a family audience. There is accessibility for fans to get close to the cars in the pits and provide unique and memorable experiences.

CPA - You have chosen to become involved in Top Fuel. Is there a chance of expanding to other teams or categories in the future?

WA - At the moment, it is one step at a time. Hydraulink is sponsoring one of the leading teams in the country, JRR, and we need to get this right. But the lines of communication are open to working with tracks, organizers, and other sponsors. Collectively we can grow the sport.

CPA - In the NHRA, the stars are the drivers. Here in Australia, we have tended to make the cars the stars. Should we rethink how we go about promoting the sport?

WA - I’ve been to an NHRA meeting. And yes, there is a strong focus on the drivers and key personnel like the crew chiefs. If there is anything to learn from COVID, drag racing may be vulnerable if it is just about the cars. Behind the scenes, technical content, personal interest storiees are all things of interest to the fans, and social media is the enabler for this content. Drag racing can learn a lot from other sporting categories when it comes to promoting their people and remaining connected to their audience.

CPA - The 400 Thunder season currently runs from November to June. A January to December calendar year schedule has been raised several times in the past. Should the idea be revisited?

WA - With this season well and truly disrupted by COVID, now would probably be a good time to make a change if that is the best thing to do. Survey sponsors, teams, and ask the audience, not the diehard fans, but those on the fringe or the newcomers. Then make the best possible decision to not only retain, but also grow the number of teams, the audience, and let's not forget the sponsors.

7/31/2020 MAURICE FABIETTI

There are few identities better qualified to pass judgment on the future of drag racing in Australia than the Pro Slammer team owner Maurice Fabietti. His career began in 1982 and over the next four decades, ‘Fabulous’ carved out a stellar career as a topflight Doorslammer racer and one of the best-credentialled engine builders in the country.

His reputation as one of the savviest operators in the Slammer ranks dates back to 2004 when he scored a major coup in landing Holden Genuine Parts as a naming rights sponsor for the team. The partnership since rebranded as ACDelco is the longest current sponsorship deal in Australian Pro Slammer. Quite an achievement when you consider that most teams are self-funded.

MAURICE FABIETTI - As a racer, I think it's out of our hands. As a nation, we’ve got to get the economy going, and people need to start spending money. Drag racing is in financial trouble, so if you’re looking at cutting entry fees to help racers, that also means you will be cutting prize money. That's a false economy. Everyone is hurting. Is dropping entry fee by a couple of hundred dollars going to help someone decide if they’re going to go drag racing? I doubt it. If you can’t afford a couple of hundred bucks, then don’t go racing.

CPA - Would introducing 1000 feet race distance in Pro Slammer help reduce costs?

MF - Yes, it would save some money for the Pro classes, and probably more importantly, it would be a good idea from a safety point of view. If you look at a Pro Slammer, the car weighs about 2750 pounds and runs around 260 miles an hour. The cars are beginning to get dangerous at the top end. When everything is going perfectly, they are great, but when the ’chutes fail, the proverbial hits the fan. Yes, I think a thousand feet would help dollar-wise but, more importantly, safety-wise.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride, ranging from U.S. 59 cents to U.S. 71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

MF - The impact of the dollar on racing is enormous. I get paid in Aussie dollars by my sponsors and pay for parts and such in U.S. Dollars. I can remember a couple of years ago when I was in America; it was almost dollar for dollar. Fantastic. Nowadays, parts are nearly double in price. And that’s killing our budget. The luxury of going to test before race days has disappeared. In the future, you need to be careful about pushing the motor that extra bit You’ll need to play it safe and pull the timing back to keep the engine in one piece for the next round.

CPA - IHRA introduced the American style Pro Mod category at Sydney Dragway earlier this year. There are parity issues that need to be addressed but could you see ‘Aussie’ grown Pro Slammer and Pro Mod race each other in a ‘super’ category?

MF - For my team and many of the other Pro Slammer teams, it’s a big no. We have spent a lot of time and money setting up our cars under an Australian rulebook. There have been some racers who've bought cars from the U.S. and expect to run in our class. Pro Slammer has got a huge crowd following that's been developed for over 25 years. The fans love it. Don't mess with it. The category wasn't designed for turbos, EFI, or traction control. We are not stopping them running; they’ve got their own class out there. Would you want to run Funny car against Top Fuel.? No, I don't think so.

MF - We need both parties to kiss, make up, and put aside their differences for the benefit of the sport, racers, and spectators. We're all suffering. Having split sanctions doesn't make sense.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city and the home of Calder Park Raceway, which is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Australian drag racing. In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the most significant events on the Oz drag calendar, including the ANDRA Nationals. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

MF - Calder Park used to be an icon of the sport. When the track is up and running most likely under ANDRA sanctioning, will the 400 Thunder Pro racers support the track? Only time will tell. I started my racing career at Calder Park in the 80s, so it has a soft spot in my heart. My sponsors are based in Melbourne. They want to come out there with their families, friends, and business associates to watch us race.

CPA - Since 400 Thunder came into existence, the series has run at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway. How important is it to expand the series to include Hidden Valley Raceway and the Perth Motorplex?

MF - Hidden Valley and the Motorplex are great places to race, but for the teams based on the East Coast, they’re awfully expensive to race at. It’s around $20,000 before you fire up the car. From where I live Sydney, it's a four-day drive from one side of the country to the other, then you’ve got accommodation costs and hope you don’t’ damage too many parts when you go racing. Then on top of that, it's not part of the 400 Thunder series. If it were part of a national series and we received some help with tow money, then I'm sure we would go. In the past, Hidden Valley has helped out with tow money. The Motorplex only pays Top Fuel to go there.

CPA - The 400 Thunder season currently runs from November to June. A January to December calendar year schedule has been raised several times in the past. Should the idea be revisited?

MF - Does it matter? The dates are only numbers on the calendar. The racers don’t care, and I don't think the public is worried one way or another.

CPA - You are one of the very few racers in Pro slammer who has been able to land a major sponsor and, importantly, keep that sponsorship running for 15 years. What's been the secret, and how can other teams benefit from your experience?

MF - Any sponsorship deal is a two-way street. They just don't give you money to go racing. You are a brand ambassador for their product and need to go out of your way to get their name out in the public arena for all the right reasons. You’re there to help them promote their product. You've got to do the right thing both on and off the track. A lot is happening behind-the-scenes. We go to dealer nights, have ride days, and spend a lot of time promoting their product at trade shows. When COVID has passed, all sponsors will expect a lot more for the dollars they put into the sport.

CPA - Mello Yello is the naming rights sponsor for the NHRA. You need to go back to the mid-90s to see the last time Pro level drag racing in Australia had a naming right sponsor. How important is a marque sponsor in attracting other sponsors to join the 400 Thunder series?

MF - Without dollars, a sport can't grow. As a competitor group, I believe we are doing our part. The level of professionalism in the sport has increased in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. The presentation of the cars and crews is right up there with the best you see in the NHRA. So, the next stage is up to the promoters and sanctioning bodies. We've been promised a lot and are still waiting.

7/30/2020 ROB SHARP

Rob Sharp heads up YBI Creative, one of the country’s premier boutique advertising and marketing agencies, and is one of the most astute and perceptive voices in the world of Australian drag racing.

‘Sharpie’, as he is affectionately known grew up around the sport and made his first mark in 2001 when working for Clemenger BBDO ad agency when he was called upon to provide marketing and promotional support for the ANDRA Nationals at Calder Park. Five years later, he joined ANDRA and played a pivotal role in creating the governing body's award-winning free to air television package and was instrumental in developing sponsorship relationships with some of the major companies involved in the sport. After a stint as acting CEO of ANDRA he returned to the world of advertising and has steered YBI to become a market leader with a blue-chip client base including several of the biggest names in the automotive space, Fuchs, Auto One, NGK, Australian Clutch, and Kawasaki.

Sharp continues to be involved in drag racing with a long term with a long-term marketing and branding relationship with, Lamattina Top Fuel Racing and several other teams.

COMPETITIONPLUS AUSTRALIA - Would introducing 1000 feet race distance across all categories help reduce costs?

ROB SHARP - It may help reduce costs, but I don’t necessarily think a shorter race distance is a step in the right direction. If you cut the distance, you're still going to find cars going to eat themselves up. Teams are always going to push the limits regardless of where the finish line is. I think there are other ways of cutting costs, particularly around how the rules are fashioned and the parameters around which you build cars rather than the length of the racetrack.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from US59 cents to US71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

RS -Economically, the dollar's value has been a bit of a minefield over the last couple of years, and I think that will continue. However, with racing on hold over the last couple of months, some teams that operate without sponsorship have been able to put some money aside that they usually would’ve spent on racing. Maybe there is a net gain there for some teams. All those teams that have sponsors get paid to race, and there is little return of investment for the sponsors. I think the smart teams out there have worked out ways to work with their sponsors. I think most team’s race to the budget that they set themselves. Very few teams will pack up and walk away. One of the things I learned from my time at ANDRA is that if you have a real passion for racing, you will find a way to make it happen.

CPA - In recent times Top Fuel numbers have remained steady with around six to seven entries at most events. There are a lot of cars out there that are sitting idle. So, what needs to happen to attract more entries?

RS -I think the cost of racing is a part of the problem but not the only reason. It would be great to have all the cars out there back on the racetrack. Top Fuel, in particular, has leaned on Santo Rapisarda for a long time. I think from about five to ten is about the number of Top Fuel cars we are ever likely to see racing in Australia. I think the category has been at far weaker stages in the past. If Santo were to decide tomorrow to not go racing, I believe there are some teams out there that have the capacity and wherewithal to step up. The market will find different ways of dealing with the situation.

RS -I do get that the blower guys have some issues. I went to a Street Outlaw meeting in the States a couple of years ago and watched ‘Big Chief’ and ‘Daddy Dave’ race. Part of me says that people can relate to those styles of cars and that type of racing. The fact that you’ve got nitrous cars versus the turbo cars and blown cars is part of the appeal. The drama would be keeping parity.

RS -I think they have already been talking to some degree. I get the priorities and the impetus for each side to do what they’ve done. I just think with a population as small as ours in Australia, the idea of any form of segregation is going to cause damage. No one is ever going to make millions of dollars out of drag racing. To some people, drag racing is their business, but it's a hobby for many people. The commercial ruling you would apply to a profit organization is almost always entirely at odds with what drag racing is.

I think that getting together and having some form of a summit where there is a genuine start and finish conversation around entry-level drag racing all the way to the top-level racing is needed. Part of the discussion should be about providing opportunities for the competitors and team owners and making sure that the tracks are tenable and able to attract government and private enterprise funding. Sometimes there is this perpetuation of negativity that exists not only in drag racing but all motorsport. It makes you wonder why people do it if it’s such an imposition.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city, and the home of Calder Park Raceway is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Australian drag racing. In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the Oz drag calendar's most significant events, including the ANDRA Nationals. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

RS -Calder Park is important. There is a culture in and around the facility. My worry with Calder Park is it’s been so long since we’ve had consistent racing at the track and whether some of that sense of community has fallen away. People who would go to events in the past have gone away and moved onto different things. Congratulations to Peter Pisalidis, the track promoter for the amount of work he has put into improving the facility. There is something special when you run events at Calder Park, and I hope that sense of magic will return in the future.

CPA - In the NHRA, the stars are the drivers. Here in Australia, we have tended to make the cars the stars. Should we rethink how we go about promoting the sport?

RS -In the past, television has primarily served as payback to the sponsors for investing money into the sport. The vehicles, pardon the pun, are literally there to deliver sponsorship value to the people who invest. What you get what you put people in front of the camera is not necessarily the sponsorship value that people want in order to continue investing in the sport. In drag racing, the cars have pretty much been the stars all along. However, every so often, someone comes along and catches the public's imagination and becomes a star. In Australia, that's been Victor Bray. It's a rare mix of qualities that comes together to make a person a household name.

CPA - In 2018 Kelly Bettes became the first woman in Australia to win a Top Fuel championship. Did the sport miss out on an opportunity to capitalize on her achievements?

RS -That’s a tough question to answer. Kelly was and is such a good driver and got such great coverage in mainstream Australian media. The hard part about Australian drag racing is that there are so few seats available. I understand how her team owner Phil Lamattina recovers from being injured and wants to get back in the driver’s seat. If the funding was there for a second car, I think Phil and Kelly would be a great combination. The issue is it so expensive to run a Top Fuel car there are so few people who can afford to do it. I would like to think there could be a sponsor out there looking at getting involved in drag racing and puts Kelly’s name at the top of their list.

CPA - Media coverage for drag racing has in recent times moved to online, social media and live streaming. Does traditional free to air television still have a place in advertising and promoting the sport?

RS -We are definitely at the point of some form of digital convergence. Formula One, this year for the first time, is putting significant highlight packages onto their YouTube channel. The days of so-called traditional media, you would think, are numbered. However, I look at the amount of money you could invest in digital and the return you would receive, and I have some reservations.

We're at a real fork in the road at the moment. You need to have a leg in each camp. Here in Australia, one of the major networks has just signed on to cover an emerging touring car race series. So, you would think there is a market out there that you still can sell advertising in. There's always an opportunity for sports, including drag racing, to sell content to television networks. The good thing about digital media is that we can precisely measure how effective it is. However, the numbers don’t necessarily give you the level of return on investment that you might be looking for. You need to hedge your bets. There are pros and cons across all levels of the media landscape.

7/29/2020 - PETER PISALIDIS

Peter Pisalidis is more than likely to fly under the radar when talking about the future of drag racing in Australia is on the agenda. However, the sometime Competition Eliminator racer occupies a unique role in the drag landscape as the promotor of two of the most important tracks in Australia. Calder Park Raceway and Adelaide International Raceway

Calder Park Raceway, on the outskirts of Melbourne, the country’s second-largest city, is the spiritual home of drag racing; however, Pro level racing at the venue has been sporadic in recent times. The last significant event at the track was the 51st ANDRA Nationals that saw NHRA star Dom Lagana down local hero Darren Morgan in Top Fuel in front of a near sell-out crowd.

Adelaide International Raceway, South Australia, 430 miles east of Calder Park home to the ANDRA Sportsman Grand Finals, has also featured Top Fuel match racing notably in 2018 when Rapisarda Autosport International duo of Wayne Newby and Damien Harris raced before a packed house.

Both venues come under ANDRA sanctioning, and Calder Park has recently undergone a long-overdue track resurface.

COMPETITIONPLUS AUSTRALIA - Would introducing1000 feet race distance across all categories help reduce costs?

PETER PISALIDIS - We at Calder Park were the first to introduce 1000ft distance for Top Fuel in Australia and think it needs to be seriously looked at for other categories. The predominant advantage is reducing the risk of possible incidents. The majority of part failures occur in top gear, and the more time high horsepower engines spend in top gear dramatically increases the chances of something going wrong. In some category’s speeds are approaching 260mph plus and there’s also an increasing number of incidents that have occurred in the top end in the last couple of years.

CPA - In recent times Top Fuel numbers have remained steady with around of six to seven entries at most events. There are many cars out there that are sitting idle. So, what needs to happen to attract more entries?

PP - Top Fuel performances and the level of professionalism has increased immensely over the last decade. And that has meant increased costs. Cost containment must be addressed for the benefit of everyone. Even if we the tracks could afford to pay each Top Fuel Team $30k each for an event that would not cover their costs. Perhaps evening out the prize payout for all competitors and not paying more for the winner and runner-up could be a starting point.

CPA - IHRA introduced the American style Pro Mod category at Sydney Dragway earlier this year. There are parity issues that need to be overcome but could see 'Aussie' grown Door Slammer and Pro Mod race each other in a ‘super’ category?

PP - Any major change needs to follow the wishes of the Slammer teams. We can’t afford any more splits in our sport. I would love to see a Blown/Turbo/Nitrous mix as they do in the NHRA. That works because they have the numbers, and their rules are quickly adjusted to ensure parity is maintained. Having raced turbo cars for over ten years and promoted the first Door Slammer vs. Turbo Pro Mod race in Australia, I would love to see them race against each other.

PP - Australia, with its 3,500 – 3,700 racers cannot support two sanctioning bodies. Having two split series stifles and limits each party simply by existing and dragging the sport further down, thus creating more animosity between all parties, including the racers. There have been 400 Thunder events held at ANDRA sanctioned tracks in the past. However, the added costs for an ANDRA track to run 400 Thunder Rounds makes it unviable for some of the tracks.

There is no doubt the sport has taken a massive backward slide since the split occurred and is still suffering several years on. We are currently in a position where both groups could benefit from the strength of each other. We all know deep down they need each other but won't admit it. If you cannot accept you have a problem, you're not ready to make the change and fix it.

It's primarily up to the Pro racers to make this happen in the same way they supported the split in the first place.

PP - Anything is possible. The problem is twofold. The end of season Grand Final is always the most participated event of the year, so how do you give it to one body versus the other and keep it fair. Secondly, ANDRA’s series sponsorship with Summit Racing Equipment could conflict with tracks and their sponsors.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city, and the home of Calder Park Raceway is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Australian drag racing. In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the Oz drag calendar's most significant events, including the ANDRA Nationals. Where does the venue fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

PP - We have a new 1320 feet race surface and had planned a massive mix of events with the support from some of Australia’s biggest teams before COVID struck. The Australian Nationals are scheduled for February 2021 along with three 'King of the Hill' events and some soon to be announced events that will see Calder Park return as a key player on the Australian drag scene.

CPA - As promotor of Calder Park, you have developed a reputation in the off-street race world for your innovations in event management and the capacity to think outside the loop in attracting racers and fans?

PP - We get more criticized much more than any other track in the country because we operate in a different environment to all the others around the country. Calder and AIR are privately owned and run tracks. That means every dollar spent comes out of my pocket. There’s no government handout or council subsidiary, and our raw costs are much higher than all the other tracks.

Anytime we run an event, it must be able to carry itself financially. We need to be more creative and cater to a much wider mass than other tracks. Our Street meetings are open to the daily drive streetcars/bikes, and often you will see Alcohol Funny cars, jet cars, blown outlaws turning up on a Friday night. You name it. We get them. Our 'King of The Hill' events get incredible support. We also cater to the so-called "outlaw racers.” They don’t want to race anyone in the other lane – instead, they just want to run the clock and chase a PB.

CPA - In the NHRA, the stars are the drivers. Here in Australia, we have tended to make the cars the stars. Should we rethink how we go about promoting the sport?

PP - Absolutely. We did promote drivers years ago in the sport, and I believe we need to resume this practice. For example, tagging drivers by a nickname is a real marketing tool and creates a link with the fans, who can relate to and follow their heroes. Victor Bray is known as the ‘tomato farmer,' and Phil Lamattina is the ‘carrot king.’

PP - For sure. I think the importance of "points rounds" events are overemphasized. The fans aren’t that interested in how many points one driver gets versus another. They are there to see a show and enjoy the spectacle. You have to ask yourself what do ninety percent of the fans on the hill want to see? Top Fuel pulls the crowd. Not because of the speed. It's about the ground shaking, the flames, the smoke, and the sheer excitement of the spectacle. Put two of them side by side, and it's an awesome experience. The Westernationals proved this. We've had Santo Rapisarda and his team here at Calder, and the crowd absolutely loved it.

CPA - Too often, drag racing in Australia only attracts mainstream coverage for all the wrong reasons. Phil Lamattina's crash at Willowbank in 2015 comes to mind. Media coverage is a critical factor in attracting fans and sponsors. What should be done to attract media coverage?

PP - How do we attract media coverage? I really believe we must have a greater focus on social media and targeted advertising to improve the visibility of the sport. We have invested in our own fixed live streaming facilities and broadcast all our major events. The impact and results are immediate. I believe the tracks should be focussing more on live streaming, and collectively we should share information on what works to improve the product.

As a promoter, I have no issue paying for media/advertising/promotion to support our events. The difficulty is we have a massive split in the sport and lack a unified approach. It means we are creating large-scale redundancies through duplication, double-ups, and not getting the economies of scale to reinvest in the sport. Change is happening, and when COVID passes, drag racing needs to be ready to respond to the new realities that the sport will face.

7/28/2020 - BRUCE READ, NOTED FUEL CREWCHIEF, TOP FUEL AUSTRALIA LEADER

No assessment of where Oz drag racing could be headed would be complete without canvassing the views of Bruce Read. The eldest son of race legend Jim Read has been involved in the sport for over 50 years and tuned the family Fuel car raced by younger sibling Phil to a trio of Top Fuel Championships. Read has also served as boss of Top Fuel Australia, the peak body for the category, and is a board member of 400 Thunder.

CPA - That’s up to you. You were invited to be part of this series because you have a reputation for being a straight shooter.

BR - The sport needs to invest in its core products. Spectators love Top Fuel. The speed, the flames and especially the night- time racing. They love it. If the sport doesn't get off its backside and find a way to attract more people into racing Top Fuel, then we have no drawcard. That will mean stadiums like Willowbank Raceway, Sydney Dragway, and the Perth Motorplex won't be needed. We will be back to the days of two strips of Armco and a caravan for a timing tower. I know the Sportsman racers are the backbone of the sport, but the harsh reality is that the guy who comes through the gate with his wife or partner and a couple of kids don't come to see Sportsman racing. They come to see Top Fuel. In Australia, our V8 Supercar brothers don’t consult with the support categories on how events are conducted. Simply put, the tail doesn't wag the dog.

The problem is that in Australia, we have nine functioning Top Fuel teams. It costs around $40-$50,000 to race a Top Fuel car, and on a good day, if you win, you might get a maximum of $10,000-$15,000 in prize money. At the end of the day, we rely on the generosity of wealthy team owners to race cars to fill venues.

Unfortunately, drag racing has been saddled with a long tradition that we pay prizemoney from Top Fuel down to the bottom of Sportsman racing, whereas other forms of motorsport do not.

CPA - Compared to the US, the Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from US59 cents to US71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

BR - The value of the Australian dollar to the greenback impacts the cost of racing, without a doubt. Early this year, it cost me around $9000 to land a crankshaft in Australia. But then again nobody forces me to do that. I took all that on board when I decided to get involved in the sport years ago.

BR - It's about money and not about money. If you can't afford to be racing, you shouldn't be racing is right to a point. But there are cars and teams who, with a little bit of an incentive, would go that extra mile to get out there racing. I’m not saying that teams should be paid to go racing or even make money, but they should be somewhere near a break-even point. For many, drag racing is a hobby, and any hobby is going to cost you money. Suppose you're going to play golf and want to join a club that's going cost you a couple of thousand dollars a year. That’s the price you pay for wanting to indulge in a hobby.

I'm happy to pay that because of the enjoyment I get in return. So, if I want to race Top Fuel, that's my decision and no one else's.

CPA - At the moment, drag racing is at a stand-still, and there's much work to be done before competition resumes, is it possible for ANDRA and 400 Thunder to put aside their differences and begin working together for the betterment of the sport?

BR - I know they’ve had preliminary talks. Unfortunately, there are people on both sides who want to keep their jobs, which is probably a little bit impractical if there's to be only one body running the sport. There is always hope, but there will always be external forces working against reconciliation. It must happen for a million reasons and the good of the sport.

CPA - Where does Calder Park Raceway fit in the future of Australian drag racing?

BR - I think the promotor Peter Pisalidis, has done something that no one else has been able to do in 30 years, and that's getting the racing surface fixed. However, getting Calder Park up and running will reignite the sanctioning wars.

CPA - Since 400 Thunder came into existence, the Pro series has run only at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway. How important is it to see the series expand to include Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, and the Perth Motorplex?

BR - Ideally, it would be Calder Park first, and then Adelaide International Raceway followed by Darwin and Perth, finances permitting. The problem with Darwin and Perth is that they have had their opportunities to be part of a national series, but unfortunately, there were outside factors that worked against that happening. Perth is on the other side of Australia, and a rough calculation is it costs around $23,000 in airfare and accommodation to get the crew over there. So that's one reason why the bulk of drag racing primarily takes place on the East Coast.

CPA - Mello Yello is a naming rights sponsor for the NHRA. You need to go back to maybe the 1990s to see the last time Pro level drag racing in Australia had a naming right sponsor. How important is a marque sponsor in attracting other sponsors to join the 400 Thunder series?

BR - At 400 Thunder, we've been so close to securing a naming right sponsor on three occasions. For one reason or another, it's always fallen over the last hurdle. Drag racing needs to ask itself a serious question. It needs to look at itself in the mirror and say, do I want to be professional. To be professional, we've got to start acting professionally. While a lot of teams’ act and present professional at the track, there’s a lot to be done off the track and behind the scenes.

Teams need to ask themselves are they prepared to sign the document that says, ‘yes, I will turn up to six or seven rounds each season. Because what does any promoter or series organizer have to sell if they don't have contracts in place with teams? Putting on a major event is like having a birthday party.

You send out the invitations and hope people are going to turn up. So how do you go to a major sponsor with that degree of uncertainty that your competitor base will turn up each time?

CPA - Could the 2020 Westernationals at Perth Motorplex that featured a pair of Top Fuel cars match racing supported by Pro Slammer, and a short sharp race format serve as a blueprint for events in the future?

BR - Match racing is the scourge of drag racing. I say that with my hypocritical hat on because my team has done a lot of that over the years, and I'm sure we will do a lot more in the future. In my opinion match racing devalues the class. It leaves other racers at home when they should be out racing. For the minor venues, it works absolutely but not for the bigger venues like Sydney and Willowbank. I think it would be good if the Perth Westernationals were to be included as part of the 400 Thunder series, but it won't happen because the organizers will never accept IHRA or the 400 Thunder series.

7/27/2020 - BRETT STEVENS, ANDRA CEO

Brett Stevens is the Chief Executive Officer of ANDRA, the one-time overarching body for drag racing in Australia. In 2015 ANDRA and Sydney Dragway, Willowbank Raceway, and the Perth Motorplex became embroiled in an ugly spat that lead to the formation of the 400 Thunder series catering for Pro level racing in Australia.

Since the split, ANDRA has concentrated on grassroots racing and has developed a successful Sportsman series sponsored by Summit Racing Equipment held at a mixture of quarter-mile and eighth-mile venues across the country. ANDRA also sanctions racing at several of the major capital city venues, including the Perth Motorplex, Calder Park Raceway Melbourne, the spiritual home of drag racing in Australia, and Adelaide International Raceway.

BRETT STEVENS - ANDRA has been working around the clock since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis to support our members and our member tracks.

When the impacts first started to be felt in March, we acted quickly to put a hold on license expiries. This means that if a license has expired in the last three months, then that time is added onto the other end of the license. As the State and Federal Government restrictions are lifted, we are reactivating licenses. We have also introduced a direct debit payment system where members can pay their license fees on a month to month basis, rather than a lump sum, which may assist some of our competitors in managing their cash flow.

We see coming into play for our member tracks moves to a more 'user pays' style system. This is because events need to be sustainable for the venues and the competitors, so for example, if a Test and Tune day costs a racetrack $10,000 to hold and they want to charge competitors $1,000 and only seven racers sign up, then it is likely that type of event won't go ahead. So, it will be essential to work through this process, moving forward.

We are also continuing to work through the 2020/2021championship calendar, but it’s a bit like trying to pin the tail on the donkey. Much will depend on how and when each individual state or territory decides to open their borders. We are acutely aware that everyone involved from racers to venues needs to know at least a couple of months out whether it is a definite 'yes' or 'no' as to whether a championship event is happening. If they don't, they will be out-of-pocket for accommodation, travel costs, and work leave. So, we are very conscious of trying to give this certainty wherever we can. One of the plusses in this area when it comes to the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series is that thanks to the points cap system which is in place and will continue, racers do not have to travel to every event, so this provides some flexibility for our competitor base.

CPA - The Aussie dollar has been on a roller coaster ride ranging from US59 cents to US71 cents. How critical is the value of the dollar to the affordability of racing in Australia?

BS - I would say the Aussie dollar does play an important role in the affordability of racing in Australia, but I would also put an asterisk on that. We conducted a survey of our membership for our sponsor Summit Racing Equipment a couple of months ago, and while it did show an initial drop off in spending, this has now recovered with people starting to get ready for racing to resume. Judging by the number of phone calls we are receiving at the ANDRA office, competitors are re-inspired to get back into the garage and start working on their cars and bikes.

CPA - Before competition resumes, is it possible for ANDRA and 400 Thunder to put aside their differences and begin working together for the betterment of the sport?

BS - I would love to think so, but unfortunately, I can’t see it happening anytime soon.

One of the issues we have run into recently is that 400 Thunder senior staff have told several of our member tracks, including Calder Park Raceway, Hidden Valley Drag Strip, and the Perth Motorplex, that they will only operate their series under IHRA sanctioning.

There have been 400 Thunder events run under ANDRA sanctioning at Perth, Adelaide, and Hidden Valley, and there were no issues.

Unfortunately, there currently appears to be a lack of desire from 400 Thunder to have any kind of relationship with ANDRA. Whatever separation existed in the past between 400 Thunder and IHRA does not appear to exist anymore.

Even so, we are always ready to reopen the lines of communication for the good of the sport. Everyone at 400 Thunder has my mobile number, and I am always ready to take their call.

BS - As discussed earlier, ANDRA is open to communicating with 400 Thunder about possibilities moving forward. There would be some difficulties in combining our respective Sportsman series’, not least of all because ours operates under a naming rights partnership with Summit Racing Equipment, which would need to be honored. However, as I have said, my door is always open.

CPA - Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city, and the home of Calder Park Raceway In the 1980s and 90s, the venue hosted some of the most significant events on the Oz drag calendar, including the ANDRA Nationals. The track recently underwent a significant refurbishment. Where does CP and its sister track, Adelaide International Raceway, fit in the future of ANDRA sanctioned drag racing?

BS - Calder Park Raceway can showcase some of the most significant events in drag racing, with the biggest spectator capacity of any racetrack in the country. I’ve been there when the venue has been absolutely packed out. There is no doubt that Calder Park Raceway plays an important role running all types of events, from regular off-street events all the way through to the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and the Australian Nationals.

As a member track, we are always working hard with Calder Park Raceway’s promoter to assist them to be as successful as possible. With the refurbishments finished, there are some exciting plans in the works for Top Fuel and other Group One racers to be hosted at the facility. We are certainly happy to support that, however, we can in conjunction with the promoter.

When it comes to Adelaide International Raceway, this track holds a special place in the hearts and minds of so many competitors despite its ups and downs. The crowd is close to the track, the pits are nearby, and the place has its own unique atmosphere. We are looking forward to the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series returning to AIR. and are planning for the current season Grand Final to be held there.

CPA - Mello Yello is the naming rights sponsor for the NHRA. How important is having Summit Racing Equipment as a naming right sponsor for the category?

BS - The support offered by Summit Racing is certainly critical to the growth and development of sportsman racing in Australia.

Not only do they pay out more than $50,000 in prize money to the top five in 11 different Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series categories, but they also support the sport in many other ways as well.

For instance, Summit Racing makes a significant financial contribution to reducing the cost of all ANDRA Junior Competitor licenses, lessening barriers to entry to the sport for our next generation.

They also provide our competitor base with plenty of rewards and incentives throughout the season, with everything from vouchers and discount coupons through to merchandise.

All of this together creates a brand association, which adds status and prestige to the series while providing great benefits to Summit Racing as well, as our racers look to support those who support them.

CPA - Could the 2020 Westernationals at Perth Motorplex that featured a pair of Top Fuel cars match racing backed by a compact group of support categories and a short sharp race format serve as a blueprint for events in the future?

BS - Our member tracks, including Calder Park, Adelaide, Hidden Valley, Alice Springs, and the Perth Motorplex want to have Group One and/or Top Fuel racing at their tracks, there is no secret about that.

Hosting these brackets helps these tracks to ensure they get the spectator numbers they need to make their events financially viable. We saw that at the Westernationals this year where that event was the biggest for the Perth Motorplex in recent history with total attendance figures of 12,293 over the two-days (7,225 on Saturday and 5,068 on Sunday). The Sunday evening live stream recorded 129,000 views with a reach of 400,000.

If, 400 Thunder is not prepared to operate their events at these tracks under ANDRA sanctioning alongside the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, then we will work with our member tracks to support them in holding these types of events and hosting these brackets.

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WHERE IS AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING HEADED IN A POST COVID-19 WORLD? - FINAL INSTALLMENT