NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the world’s fastest female, qualified
her 8,000-horsepower dragster in the No. 3 (5.013 seconds, 213.47 mph)
spot for tomorrow’s final eliminations of the Shannons U.S.A. v.
Australia Top Fuel Showdown at Western Sydney Int’l Dragway in Sydney,
Australia.
Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., is the only American
competing in the event. Her team, led by crew chief Jim Oberhofer, was
plagued by many mechanical problems throughout the three sessions of
qualifying Friday at WSID and had to hurry to make their final attempt,
which looked strong early but faded down track. Will’s 5.013-second lap
from the first qualifying session of the day ended up being the team’s
best. Will and the other seven competitors in tomorrow’s Top Fuel
eliminations will be vying to win the inaugural Scott Kalitta Memorial
Trophy.
Will is set to race against No. 6 qualifier (5.519 sec., 197.94 mph)
Mark Mariani in round one of eliminations tomorrow afternoon.