Australian Nationals report

Hot action on and off track in 30th Aussie Drag Nationals

CALDER PARK, VIC, AUSTRALIA Feb 25 1995: With temperatures at trackside in the Mid 40's (110°F) and a fiery Funny car crash, action was red hot at Calder Park for the 1995 Australian Drag Racing Nationals.

Funny Car driver Keith Agius was lucky to escape injury when his OZ Nitro Funny Car exploded in flames in a race with eventual runner-up Darren Carter. The fiery crash featured on all major TV news bulletins on Sunday night as well as getting considerable newspaper coverage.

Agius ran into the back of Carters car causing the Melbourne youngster to miss the Funny Car final giving popular home town hero Romeo Capatanio his first National Funny Car title.

In Top Fuel, American racer Tom "Showtime" Hoover took a win from rookie driver Brad Simpson after the three top qualifiers Graham Cowin, Jim Read and Rachelle Splatt all had mechanical problems putting paid to hope of the countries first ever 300mph run.

It was another International win in Top Alcohol with Englishman Steve Read taking his second Aussie title over Queenslander Gary Phillips who red lighted.

Pro Stock featured a US v Australia battle as The Pontiac TransAm of Melbourne's Peter Ridgeway downed the Aussie Commodore of Hans Van Dyke. A crowd of around 50,000 attended the final day and the meeting attracted coverage from both Melbourne's major dailies although "The Age" coverage was couched in what could only be described as bemused and somewhat condescending terms.

A one hour highlights package will be screened by the Nine Network in Australia but no screening date has been scheduled.

-- Brett Ramsey On-Line Media Consultant. Check out http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts/VPMA/Media3.html