ANDRA: Troy Thompson Sets Competition Bike MPH Record
At the recent ANDRA Grand Finals, held as part of the 52nd Westernationals at the Perth Motorplex across March 4 and 5, Troy Thompson set a record in the 1320ft distance.
CC/AB – 186.03 miles per hour
“Ever since I built the bike and knew we would fit in the CC Altered Bike bracket I have wanted both ends of the record,” Thompson said.
“We were chasing both ends, but we just couldn’t get the bike off the line to accelerate enough to get the ET, so we were just lucky enough to get the MPH. But both records is something I really want – we are half way there I guess now.
“I wish it had been faster, but it just wasn’t to be that weekend. I was getting blown around by the wind a bit, I am not exactly a small guy so the wind was affecting me a bit.
“We are over the moon to get the MPH, and my brother was the first one to give me a big hug and a smile and be excited – we both built the bike basically between the two of us with a bit of help from others, so it was definitely good for us to come out of the weekend with a record.
“When it came to the racing, we were lucky enough to get a solo in the first round because the competitor couldn’t make it out – I was kind of upset about that because I love to race. Getting a solo is great, but I prefer to earn my wins.
“So, we got that, and then in the second round we had a good friend in Rob Wasley and managed to get around him. Then in the third round we got a solo. We tried to hop the bike up to chase both ends, but we couldn’t get out of the hole quick enough to do that.
“In the final, that was my first time going to a Westernationals final, and I have always wanted a ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree. I think the pressure got to me a bit, and I red lit, then the wind pushed me out of the groove so I just backed off and rolled through. For my part of the final, that was a bit disappointing red lighting and then getting pushed out of the groove in the wind which made the bike spin up – we had given it a really spicey tune up to try and chase Daniel (Natalotto) down, who was really quick and consistent all weekend.
“Thank you first of all to my crew, my brother Hank, my two kids Jahzara and Deakin, and Chantelle. Thank you also to my sponsors Dicker’s Speed Shop, Adrenalin Performance, RBP, Atomic Hydrographics and Pace Motorsports.
“Thank you also to Ross Smith who does the motor – he has set many national records and has been bragging that it is the engine builder who gets credit for the MPH records, apparently the rider only deserves ET records!” he laughed.
ANDRA thanks the Perth Motorplex and all of its volunteers and sponsors for an outstanding race track and a well-run event.
For full results from the ANDRA Grand Finals, www.andra.com.au
The Australian National Drag Racing Association Ltd, or ANDRA for short, is the drag racing sanctioning body of Australia. The organization was created in 1973 from a more drag racing oriented faction of the Australian Hot Rod Federation. Today ANDRA sanctions races throughout Australia and throughout the year at all levels, from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster, on everything from temporary regional tracks to international standard facilities in capital cities. ANDRA and its members make drag racing a family-friendly, safe sport. So come along as a spectator or bring your street car to an “off-street” event and enjoy the excitement that is Australian drag racing. www.andra.com.au
