Commitment to Venue Improvements
This Saturday’s 96fm Powerpalooza marks the final round of the gruelling WA Drag Racing Championship, where racers have been striving for points all season long.
As the Grand Final, the 96fm Powerpalooza ramps up the drama by offering 50% bonus points – opening up a championship win to more potential victors.
While a number of brackets have already been locked up, there are intriguing battles to be found in the others, with Perth Quad Bikes Modified Bike and Mactrack Super Street containing the most mathematical probabilities of different winners.
An amazing seven riders in total could leave with the Modified Bike championship win by the end of Saturday. Paul Nieuwhof leads on 605 points – his two mid season wins providing a valuable boost. Bruce ‘Budgie Jones’ sits second on 580 points while Luke Seaton holds down third with 575 points.
Given there is a 77.5 point difference between a win and a first round lose, there is still light in the tunnel for another four riders, including reigning champion Zoe Nieuwhof on 570 points, Chris Moore on 550 points, Brian Hotker on 545 points and Ian Read on 540 points.
Super Street has four drivers in the running for the title, and with just a 20 point spread between them it will be one of the great battles seen for the championship. Darren Bakranich’s win at Nitro Heaven could not have come at a better time, elevating him to the top position with 640 points. As a bridesmaid in the championship three times before, he would love nothing more than to finally come out with the number one. Former champion Ashleigh Wroe knows what it is like to stand on the top step and is ready to strike in second on 635 points, while Steph Gullotto would dearly love her first championship and with 625 points she has a great base. Robert Stone hasn’t much figured in final rounds this season but by consistently going rounds he has stayed in touch with the leaders and on 620 points is more than a contender, he is a genuine threat.
Malaga Specialised Restorations Top Sportsman still has three drivers in the running for the honours with Johnny Brecich currently showing the way on 707.5 points thanks to two wins and a runner up this season. Paul Downe and Alby Bakranich have some work to do on 657.5 and 645 points respectively, but drag racing has shown before that the odds can quickly turn.
All other undecided brackets are down to two horse races. Jamie Chaisty seized the lead of Super Comp at the last event and with 542.5 points he will need to hold off reigning champion Ralph Lewis on 515 points.
Phill Paton and Wayne Patterson have waged war all season in Competition Bike and now with just 20 points between them the Grand Final 96fm Powerpalooza is going to decide it all.
We are guaranteed a first time champion in Modified, as Nicholas Wroe leads James Kemp into the final with a 35 point lead.
Martin Mirco has run away with Super Sedan’s points lead on 715, but if he goes out in the first round and Nick Panagopoulos (on 645 points) can win, then we could see a surprising champion.
While Top Comp and Supercharged Outlaws have already been decided with Stu Moresby just having to show up for the first round and Jodie Mellitt not even having to do that, strong fields mean they will still provide plenty of racing entertainment this Saturday at the 96fm Powerpalooza.
Don’t miss any of the drag racing action from 10am and make sure to stick around for a ballistic show of burnouts, speedway and even a demolition derby afterwards!
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