Spotted at this past weekend’s Fuchs Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway was four-time NHRA national event winner Wally Clark.

A native of Sydney, as a teenager Clark moved with his family to Canada in 1966 and until last September (2010) had never returned ‘home’.

Spotted at this past weekend’s Fuchs Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway was four-time NHRA national event winner Wally Clark.

A native of Sydney, as a teenager Clark moved with his family to Canada in 1966 and until last September (2010) had never returned ‘home’.

With his three North American-born siblings and partner in tow, Clark made the long haul to Australia and toured his home country for three weeks, even attending the rained out 2010 Nationals.

Clark vowed to not go another 44 years between visits and last week he made good on his promise, returning for this year’s ‘Big Go down under’ to help out long-time mate Graeme Cooper.

Clark and three-time ANDRA Super Sedan Champion Cooper struck up a friendship when the latter contested Stock at the 40th Anniversary US Nationals in 1994, Cooper returning four years ago and winning class with his mate’s help.

Clark was the first Australian to win an NHRA national event, the US Nationals in 1985.