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A new way to nitro

Luke NieuwhofThe West Australian
Brett Baile is pioneering a new type of nitro racing this weekend at Perth Motorplex.
Camera IconBrett Baile is pioneering a new type of nitro racing this weekend at Perth Motorplex. Credit: Phil Luyer

Nitro is the enigmatic fuel of top drag racers, where copious amounts of horsepower can be found — so long as you can keep it under control.

While typically associated with big budgets and demanding engine maintenance requirements, Western Australian racer Brett Baile is pioneering a new type of nitro racing this weekend at Perth Motorplex. His race car uses an injected nitro engine, which dispenses with the superchargers normally used in association with nitro.

Baile first saw the concept in the USA, and has now brought the idea to Australia, where just a handful of cars run similar combinations.

“The injected nitro cars were so consistent, and maintenance-wise it all looked pretty easy,” he said. “Having seen what the injected nitro cars were doing in the NHRA Heritage Series, I thought I could do that with my small block.”

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Baile used his existing Altered chassis and updated the gear around his engine to meet the demands of nitro, which can produce twice as much power as using methanol fuel. He made his first passes in the car in February at Perth Motorplex's Super Sportsman Showdown.

“I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “Would the motor live? Would it rev up under load? Would it drive straight? I think I was shocked when it drove out, and revved up well. It got pretty aggressive when the clutch started to lock up and turned the tyres. It was a great first shake down.

The WA Drag Racing Grand Final this Saturday will be Baile's last opportunity for the season to test the car. With the estimated 1200 horsepower on board, it should be able to run into the six-second zone and even touch the 200mph barrier (321km/h).

“I want to keep it alive, and try not to hurt it too much,” he said. “It still needs to be affordable as I don’t have an unlimited budget. I have been around the sport and know anything can happen to nitro cars.

“We will use the rest of this year and however long it takes, to be in testing and R&D mode. We want to make sure we have something that consistently goes A to B before we attempt to run in the BME WA Nitro Championship. With what I have I don’t think I can compete time-wise with the funny cars and dragsters. But it would be cool just to put something a bit different into the mix.”

Injected nitro remains surprisingly rare in Australia. It seems to be an affordable way to have a lot of fun while burning drag racing's most famous fuel. With racers like Baile pushing the boundaries, the style may become more popular.

“I just want to encourage people; don’t be afraid to give it a go as there is a lot of help around,” Baile said. “I will point anyone in the right direction, and you are forever learning. I have a fair few spares, so I intend on running it for quite some time. The tracks are growing more and more to the idea.”

The WA Drag Racing Grand Finals take place this Saturday, April 10. Qualifying begins from 11am with the feature show from 5.30pm.

Rookie makes championship tilt in Modified

Rookie drag racer Kasey McClure is looking to make her name in the WA Modified championship after a stunning first season in her 270km/h dragster.
Camera IconRookie drag racer Kasey McClure is looking to make her name in the WA Modified championship after a stunning first season in her 270km/h dragster. Credit: Phil Luyer

Rookie drag racer Kasey McClure is looking to make her name in the WA Modified championship after a stunning first season in her 270km/h dragster.

McClure currently sits second in the points, with just a small 50 point margin to leader Nicholas Wroe. With the WA Drag Racing Grand Finals this Saturday offering 50 per cent bonus points, the gap could easily be closed.

“Going into the finals in second place is an honour considering the quality of the racers in the class, and I am already beyond happy with what we have achieved this year,” she said.

McClure may be a rookie, but she is hardly lacking for experience. Her family is one of the most well known in Western Australian drag racing, with her grandfather, uncles, parents and siblings all having raced at one time or another.

While the family name carries some reputation, McClure said there was no pressure.

“I started off the season with no real expectations, other than to learn how to drive the car and have fun while doing it,” she said. “It has been really enjoyable coming to terms with the car so quickly and I am quite happy with my driving. We have still got a bit of learning to do with how to dial the car in, which will come with time.”

Before racing her Modified dragster, which accelerates to 100km/h in just over a second, McClure drove briefly in Junior Dragsters. There was still little to prepare her for the acceleration shock.

“The idea of the first few passes in the dragster was quite nerve-racking,” she said. “The first launch was hard and definitely put me back in my seat, but it was quite exciting. By the end of the day I had done a full track pass, pulled the parachutes and enjoyed every moment of it.”

The plan for Kasey's first season was to share driving with her mother Natalie. But when Kasey achieved two runner-ups in her first two events, the family decided to give Kasey a chance at the title.

“After this weekend, Mum will be licensing the dragster at the first available opportunity and then a decision will be made as to who's driving the car next season,” Kasey said. “Mum has expressed how she has enjoyed watching me race but also doesn't go without letting me know she also wants her turn!

“For my future in drag racing, I'd love to just continue building my skills in Modified and then see what evolves from that. For the Grand Final all I'm really hoping for is to get some good consistent passes in and have a good time.”

Pallentine wins big at Good Friday Burnout King

Burnout competitor Dwane Pallentine is now $10,000 richer after winning Good Friday Burnout King at Perth Motorplex in front of a packed house.
Camera IconBurnout competitor Dwane Pallentine is now $10,000 richer after winning Good Friday Burnout King at Perth Motorplex in front of a packed house. Credit: Phil Luyer

Burnout competitor Dwane Pallentine is now $10,000 richer after winning Good Friday Burnout King at Perth Motorplex in front of a packed house.

Pallentine claimed victory in the Pro division following a smooth drive from his supercharged Holden Torana. It was Pallentine's second major victory at the Motorplex, following on from his 2019 Burnout Boss title.

Part of the inspiration for the performance came from Pallentine's passenger, who before the event donated $1500 to help bushfire victims in return for the seat.

“Everything went right for me, from the start of the skid,” he said. “I had no pressure, I just wanted to get the tyres off and give my passenger the ride of his life. That was a win for me. I think he is going to build a burnout car now, he had a fat time.”

While winning Good Friday Burnout King would be the highlight of just about any burnout competitor's driving career, Pallentine said winning still takes second place to another Good Friday Burnout King moment.

“Four years ago at this same event, I met this girl Paula, and she's now my wife. So it's something I will always remember.”

With over 140 teams turning out at Good Friday Burnout King, competition took place over three divisions. Shane Gardiner's Holden one tonner ute took out the Open class, a moment he said was the greatest since he started burnout competition.

“I was my best win since I have started in the skid scene due to the standard of competitors in the division,” he said. “My motto is just go out there and do what you do and do it well, without thinking about what everyone else does. I know my car as I built it, so I know how to get the best out of it. And driving it off the pad on to the trailer in one piece is always a good thing.

“Driving to the pad and seeing the amount of people that came out to watch skids on Good Friday was a great feeling. The cheering by the crowd when I finished was awesome and made me feel proud.”

Jack Alfirevich took the honours in the Sportsman class with his six-cylinder Ford AU Falcon, delivering a burnout worthy of more high horsepower rivals.

“Everything went my way for once, and it’s been a while,” he said. “Good Friday is always one of the biggest events on the WA calendar. That crowd was the best it has been in a long time.

“Good Friday is an event I've been chasing since the introduction of the Sportsman class and since most have been rained out, this is that little bit special. I've had a shocker of a season and to finish it off on the top step is amazing.”

Good Friday Burnout King marked the last major event for burnouts this season at Perth Motorplex, but burnout fans will be able to see more skids at Formula Tech Whoop Ass Wednesday Hour of Powers on April 7, May 5 and May 26.

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