Peter Blake - Australian Drag Car Driver

We raced in the 2008 Snap-On Nitro Champs last weekend on the 2nd & 3rd of May, in the Civenex Top Doorslammer category. All weekend we were the class of the field, with the exception of John Zappia in the Striker Monaro running yet another sub six.

Our new personal best of 6.208sec @224 mph saw us qualify in 2nd place, and we didn’t lose a race all weekend, defeating the world renowned and all round nice guy Victor Bray in his Castrol Chevy. And a hole shot win in the final, a 6.71sec beats a 6.67sec against Andrew Sutton.

1st run the car left poorly due to a mistake in the clutch set up, luckily it threw a blower belt off at before 60ft and coasted through to a 12.2sec pass against Joe Cutelli in the Corvette, who also had a problem on the line.

2nd run saw us against Joe once more, I made a mistake (short shifted 1st gear) and there wasn’t enough clutch to run hard, 6.400sec, excitedly for us it was the quickest pass for the night so far.
We sat out the final session for Friday night as it got cold and we didn’t want to risk damage to the car or engine and not be able to show for the elimination rounds on Saturday! Only 1 run was quicker than us on Friday evening being zap he pulled a 6.28sec.

The qualifying / seeding round was spectacular. An almost perfect run saw a new personal best of 6.208sec against Brett Gillespie in his BHE Chevy, who aborted after an uncontrollable wheelie. My run was quick off the start, nervously and against my will I short shifted again (only this time, not so bad!) i also had to muscle the wheel at around mid track.

In the Semi final against Victor I pulled a good light and ran through with a smooth 6.37sec beating Vic’s 6.80sec much to the huge crowds delight (the underdog phenomenon I reckon). This put me into the final against Sutton. After a 1 ½ hour delay in the staging lanes things were cooling off quickly. After the rest of the group 1 finals it was our turn. The clutch was set to “make or break”, with the dew setting in I swapped feet with .03 reaction, it immediately turned the tyres, and then shook violently (breaking my wheelie bars). A quick pedal and we were off again, it went like a rocket ship. Silly old me forgot to shift into top gear, (my mind was still on the start line) it wasn’t too bad though; she ran through with a huge amount of revs, but it was enough to nab us a hole shot win. 6.71sec beats a 6.67sec.

Thanks and congrats to my team for an awesome weekend!
And once again thanks to dad for having the faith and allowing me to pilot his pride and joy!!!!!

posted on May 5th, 2008 under Racing | 2 Comments

Our last outing in the car was in December 2007 at the USA vs AUS Top Fuel Challenge. We were very happy with the performance of the car at this event. We ran a PB 6.35sec at 226mph as well as 4 consistent runs. Also, thanks to ‘Servin it up’ the Aussie Motorbike Stunt Crew, I had an inboard camera with me which is very exciting footage I hope to have available on the site one day.

Over the Summer period as usual we have made quite a few upgrades and changes to the car and we are not sure what to expect for the Summernationals. It should be an exicintg event with over 19 cars and an A and B class on race day.

Exciting news!! We have a new sponsor on board Racetech Steel - suppliers of a range of high specification metals including Chromoly, CDS Mild Steel and Aluminium. These products are available in a wide range of profiles: tube - round, square, rectangle and streamline plus sheet and plate. These specialist metal products are suitable for use in many critical applications as well as offering to engineers in many industries the opportunity to develop products requiring locally available high strength raw materials. They also stock a complimentary range of CDS and CDW tube in sizes specified in both ANDRA and CAMS rule books or hand books, for use in Roll over Protection Systems (ROPS / Roll cages) or chassis modifications in part or full tubular chassis race cars. Check it out!

posted on February 14th, 2008 under Racing | Leave a Response

We were supposed to test the car on Sunday 19th August. It had rained all night but we went to the track anyway with an optimistic attitude. There was a meeting when we arrived in the scrutineering shed and the day was cancelled due to bad weather. Fortunately the event was postponed to the following weekend – Sunday 26th August.

The next Sunday after celebrating my mum’s 60th the night before we went to the track to try out our lock up clutch. The first run shook the tyres, 2nd run I shut off at half-track (as we planned) and 3rd shook the tyres again. Not the results we were looking for.

A big service was needed over the next three days to be ready for the East Coast Nationals. We took out the lock up clutch as we are not ready for it. My first qualifying run off the trailer was 6.70sec. This is a step in the right direction, the first time we have run a fresh clutch successfully down the quarter mile. The next run was 6.70sec again after we stepped the motor up a notch. I was blind on this run my computer / dash battery died in the burnout so I had no taco to read, plus no data to gather after the run. Gary Phillips ran a 6.01 beside me. It felt like I was so slow - he kept getting away. The final qualifying run I ran a 6.80sec late at night. The track was cold and the car got loose at the top end and I had to pedal. Probably would have run a 6.70sec again.

At the end of qualifying I was in 14th position, which put us in the bottom 8 field – the Den’s Cranes sponsored consolation class on Saturday. My first run was paired against Steve Packman. Steve ran a 6.48sec and I ran a 6.58sec, he got the win. A slight improvement but not what we hoped for. Hopefully next time we will run a little better.

After pulling the engine down we found a broken roller on a rocker. Probably lucky we didn’t have another run.

We hope to test the car again soon and improve on our performance. Thanks to Dad and Crew for all their hard work, and Deno Brijeski for sponsoring the B field! A special thanks to my sponsors Aussie Bananas, Turn 4, CNC Machinery Sales and Performance CNC.
Peter

posted on September 9th, 2007 under Racing | 1 Comment

The 2007/2008 Drag Racing Season is about to start. In the lead up to the new season we have been busy making changes and developments to our car.

We will be testing on Sunday 19th August at Western Sydney International Dragway (WSID) in preparation for the first round of the season, The East Coast Nationals Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September at WSID.

posted on August 8th, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

Here is the 2007/2008 ANDRA Group One Championship calendar.

Aug 31–Sep 1 2007 - 2007 East Coast Nationals
WSID
Top Fuel Round 1
Top Alcohol Round 1
Top Doorslammer Round 1
Top Bike Round 1
Pro Stock Round 1
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 1

Sep 14-16 2007 - 2007 Australian Nationals
Willowbank
Top Fuel Round 2
Top Alcohol Round 2
Top Doorslammer Round 2
Top Bike Round 2
Pro Stock Round 2
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 2

Nov 16-17, 2007 - 2007 Top Alcohol/Pro Stock Motorcycle Round
Perth
Top Alcohol Round 3
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 3

Nov 30–Dec 1 - 2007 Golden State Titles
Perth
Top Doorslammer Round 3
Top Bike Round 3

December 8-9 2007 - 2007 International Top Fuel
WSID
Top Fuel Round 3
Top Alcohol Round 3

January 4-5, 2008 - 2008 New Year Series
Willowbank
Top Fuel Round 4
Top Alcohol Round 4
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 4

February 1-2, 2008 - 2008 Top Fuel Round
Perth
Top Fuel Round 5

February 15-16 2008 - 2008 Summernationals
WSID
Top Fuel Round 6
Top Alcohol Round 5
Top Doorslammer Round 4
Top Bike Round 4
Pro Stock Round 3
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 5

March 1-2, 2008 - 2008 Westernationals
Perth
Top Doorslammer Round 5
Top Bike Round 5

April 19, 2008 - 2008 Tin Top Titles
Willowbank
Top Doorslammer Round 6
Pro Stock Round 4

May 2-3, 2008 - 2008 Nitro Champs
WSID
Top Fuel Round 7
Top Alcohol Round 6
Top Bike Round 6

June 6-8, 2008 - 2008 Winternationals
Willowbank
Top Fuel Round 8
Top Alcohol Round 7
Top Doorslammer Round 7
Top Bike Round 7
Pro Stock Round 5
Pro Stock Motorcycle Round 6

posted on August 8th, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

The Snap-On Nitro Champs (4^th and 5^th May 2007) is not a championship round for Top Doorslammer. Instead WSID ran an invitational “Chicago Shootout” style round robin. Only 10 Sydney cars were invited. Friday saw 3 rounds of qualifying and Saturday was the top 8 get two runs, the first is for seeding and the second is for racing and the fastest two in the second round go to the final. This was a good opportunity for testing for all the teams, and to have a little fun at the same time.

The 1st run I was paired up against Sean Misfud in the Willy’s. I haven’t done many paired runs, but I have run the Wild Willy’s every time but once. I spun the tyres from the startline for about 3.5 seconds, I backed off and eased back on and ran through with a 7.474 sec at 217mph. For an untidy run I was surprised to see my best speed to date. We had an oil leak during the run, the breathers on the rocker covers rattled loose.

Our 2^nd saw me pair up with Sean Misfud once again. For the first time ever the car did not misbehave and I managed to get to the finish line under full throttle light to light. It felt awesome. It turned out a 6.401 at 223mph, another new PB. I have dropped nearly .2 of a second off my previous best of 6.57. Again we had the same oil leak we needed to find a better solution. More silicone and a centre punch to keep the screws tight.

For the 3^rd run we went out hoping to capitalise on our last run, not all cars were out for this qualifier so we were given a solo pass other wise im sure id have raced wild willy again! The car went super straight and I ran another good number 6.425 at 220mph. We had a lot of positive comments from spectators and friends on how well the car went. At the end of the third qualify round we were sitting fourth on the top doorslammer qualifying board. I was very pleased with this result – fourth out of ten cars.

Saturday, we prepared the car early and our first run was 4pm. I was paired up against Mark Belleri in his Camaro. I thought the cat left like a rocket ship it shook the tyres hard I shifted into second still shook and I shifted into 3^rd and ran through to a 6.522 at 224mph. and another PB, fastest speed so far! I found lots of rubbish in the filter and it didn’t look promising. But I’d try and find and fix the problem. Unfortunately it had spun a bearing and nor did we have time or the parts to repair and we were OUT. We are spectators now.

 Check out my runs on my media page: http://peterblake.rmwpublishing.net/media/

Congratulations to Mark Belleri for his stellar 6.13. It was an awesome run especially for a beginner, he has out shone himself as a driver. Also thanks again to my dedicated crew and especially my wife for doing her best even though she had an operation earlier that week.

Catch ya!
Peter Blake

posted on May 10th, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

The Summernationals…21 Top Doorslammer entries and only eight qualify. This is my debut Championship event. This is just another test for us.

Friday qualifying and our first run was at 4.30pm. We made some suspension changes from last week. We had something that worked and didnt want to change but we had some unusual wear and were forced to, (a repair was un feasable in the given week).

The first qualify run was good and the car went straightish it was only my second time in a pairing. I was beside Peter Lovering I left him on the line and ran through with a 6.81 losing a blower belt a 1000ft.  I figured Lovering had problems on the start line, but when I pulled the chutes he wizzed passed at a million mph it scared the crap out of me, I wasn’t ready for that. He ran 6.80 it felt realy good to be in front for an entire run. If we had been racing, I’d have won!!!

A quick turnaround for the second qualifier. The team worked quickly but when we went to start it there was a problem. A cylinder full of fuel was hydraulicing on the starter we rushed to get it started. Everything was fine, but on the start line how ever we experienced the same problem again…the car wouldnt start and we missed out on that run. That was really disappointing but we had to find the problem.

We did a leak down, nothing … we decided that without pulling apart the engine (as we wouldn’t have time before the final qualifier) we would just make sure we back the engine off in the staging lanes before we start the car.

The final qualifier. The car started first go, 21 doorslammers ran single passes (top fuel wasnt ready yet) my burnout was a bit better then recent and I quickly got into stage (I didnt have to wait for any one). Trying to launch with as much heat as possible in the tyres it must have worked 1.03 60ft was the 2nd or 3rd best for the session (not my best 60 though) my best half track saw 170 something mph and 4.3 I also pedaled just after shifting to 2nd gear (it wriggled just a little) after about 15 or so runs/part runs I’m proud to say I saw the shift light come on for top gear for the first time ever. a fuel leak sprouted at around 1000ft just before I hit the chutes but i crused through to a 6.57sec at 216mph. Finally a good run, I saw the shift light, it went straight. I actually felt pretty comfortable in this run. It is the fastest and quickest I have gone so far. The team were pumped with this result! Even one photographer said to Dad it was an awesome launch. Dad was chuffed.

Great to finally get the monkey off our back. the thing has potential. We are still 200lb over weight and with a one to two tenths pedal thats almost a great run.

We didn’t end up making the top eight, we actually came 16^th but we were really happy with result.

I want to thank my team for all there hard work and support (a special thanks to Gary & Peter), everything is starting to come together for us!!

I would also like to welcome our new sponsor TURN 4. And congratulations to our good friends Maz & Ben on their Wedding which I couldn’t make due to racing.

posted on May 9th, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

The Summernationals Test & Tune was predicted to be a massive testing day with over 200 cars. Leading up to the test we didn’t have high expectations we just wanted to work out why the car is not going straight and hopefully get some full passes down the track.

For the test day our entire crew was unavailable. The night before we had a mad scramble to find some one to help out. Gary Watterson who lives at the end of our street. (who is also building a drag car) and his mate Pete agreed to come to our aid, at 9pm friday night. Same with Phil a friend of a friend of a friend who we had never met!!!

We arrived early (probably too early)at around 5:45am to ensure we get an easy park with the semi. and get a head start on all the work to be done including training our new crew.

First run,  smoked the tyres off the line.

Second run was a little better… we got off the line fairly easily but the car as usual went to the left.

Ed Urcis from JE Pistons, offered some sugestions to improve things, he was out on holidays but was keen to help.

We had 4 runs in total, the last two were a lot better but times were not competitive.

Our last run saw a 7.50 or something with a half track shut off and a pedal before 60ft. The half track equaled our best to date.

We think we have a better handle on our suspension, and have a fair bit of work to do before the Summernationals next week. Most satisfying result of the day was that our engine had no problems and didn’t need too much servicing.

posted on May 9th, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

Doorslammer Invitational at WSID’s Boxing Day Event

The past three months we have been building our second engine and preparing to race at the Doorslammer Invitational at WSID’s Boxing Day Event ( 26^th & 27^th December 2006). Dad, Katie and I have spent many weekends and late nights in the shed getting the car ready for the race. We first fired the engine up about a week before the race and had a big oil leak. The rear main needed resealing. The next day we started it up again. There were some minor leaks around the cylinder heads but nothing alarming, we sealed it with silicon. The Saturday before the race we noticed that the silicon hadn’t stopped the leaks so we decided that we needed to get the gaskets re heat treated. This put us back a lot of hours we were hoping to have the trailer packed ready to go that day, the blower and cylinder heads were off the car… after some quick thinking and some help from Sainty’s workshop we were ready to reassemble, fire it up one last time and put it on the trailer. We finished late Saturday night and dropped the trailer at the track Sunday morning (Xmas Eve) so we could relax before race day. Christmas day we had lunch with my wife’s family at Wayne Newby’s house and then Xmas night at my folks house. Gary Phillips and family were down from QLD (to race his Top Alcohol dragster) and they joined my family for Xmas. There were three rounds of qualifying on the first day with racing on day 2. To start the day we had to get the car both tech inspected and scrutineered. It passed! Track officials let me have a solo in qual 1, there was alot of new stuff for me, and I didn’t need the extra pressure of someone beside me!

My first pass was in the left lane. I couldn’t see the tree (it’s left hand drive and the blower is in the way)” lucky I had that solo, it gave me the time to move around and get a glance. The car launched hard and shook just after 60ft, (first time for me!) I got off it, the car settled down, got on it again the car turned left, again then coasted through. Unfortunately there was some oil on the track. The tyre shake caused a leak in the dry sump.

We cleaned up the mess and prepared the car for the qual 2. We took a heap of clutch out to try and settle the car. I cut a fairly good reaction time .084. The car launched a bit better but headed towards the centre line. I backed off about 1/2 track, straightened up and got back on it to the finish line. It wasn’t a fantastic time but it was better than the last run – 7.39 sec at 200.65mph. it felt lazy but was surprised with the 200mph.

When we got back we realised that a fitting snapped off the sump and it had a crack in it. We wouldn’t make it back out for the final qualifier but we had made the show for tomorrow’s racing.

Mick’s Metal Craft fixed the sump the next morning. When we checked the bearings in the crank we discovered a spun bearing and a damaged a rod. Unfortunately for us it meant no more runs. A little disappointing as it was a good meeting for me to get experience with the small number of Doorslammer entries (it wasn’t a championship points meeting).

I would like to thank all my crew, family and friends for being there to help out and support me. A big thanks to my crew; Dad, Katie, Chad, Michael, Matthew, Haig, Craig, Sarah and my supporters Mum, Tracey, Daniel, Brodie and Natasha.

It’s back to the workshop for now and preparing for the next run hopefully on February 10, 2007 a test and tune.

posted on January 23rd, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response

TOP DOORSLAMMER LICENSING

Since we started drag racing about 15 years ago my dream was to one day get to drive dads doorslammer. Recently this dream became reality.

My first ever drive came on the 6th August at a WSID bracket meet. With new crew, new driver and a relatively new engine/chassis combination we didn’t expect much.

The first hurdle was to get the burnout out of the way, as i found out this isn’t as easy as it appears I liken it to running in marshmallow shoes along a log floating in water.

On my first launch things went pretty quick but to my relief the blower belt came off cause I wasn’t ready for anything more than a 60ft shut off. The belt smashed the rpm pickup, but we fixed it. I think we got 4 runs in total and the furthest I drove was 330ft. The best news of the day was that I did a 0.999 60ft which is pretty quick, don’t care whoyare, however all day I didn’t get anywhere near doing a burn out “right”.

I had my second chance at licensing on 27^th August at a WSID test & tune. We had problems getting the car to go straight at the launch. It picked the front wheels up hard and turned left around 60ft again. We spent the whole day trying to counteract this problem with no reward other than some more quick 60’s. On 30th August two days before the east coast nat’s I was invited by Robin Judd to attend a private test. This was my last chance to get my license to run in the nat’s which I had entered. The weather wasn’t good, it rained until lunchtime. Luckily the afternoon cleared up and we got 2 good passes in, to tame the car down, I left in 2nd gear. slow but you can steer when the wheels are on the ground. First run I was suppose to shut off at half track. I pedalled at half track but since it was going pretty good I decided to get back on it again. Ran a 7.55sec @ 185mph and I finally got my burn out sorted. 2nd run was great. Huge smoky burnout saw me get crossed up and gave me a little scare. Rule 1, when your out of control you really have zero control. I was just lucky I didn’t hit the fence. That run I ran a 6.77sec @ 208mph. It felt really good but a little out of my comfort zone, I used half throttle for 75% of the run. The team was stoked and I was surprised it was that quick. They told me 1 more like that and ill get my licence. We got one more run, in the night, and I thought it ran hard. Just after half track the car stepped over to the wall, I got off it straight away and coasted through to a 7.35sec @ 165mph or something like that. There was oil everywhere, it must have got under my tyres. Anyway I was given my license on that final pass. When we got back to the pits we were pretty happy with our achievement and were all in high spirits until we jacked up the car. Oil was leaking out of the sump. I figured someone didn’t do up the sump plug. If only it was that…we broke a rod. We decided it was too much work to fix the engine before the race. There was a fair bit of damage. We spent the weekend as spectators. I’ll take this opportunity to thank the team for all their help, they did a good job.

We are currently now building our second motor and hope to be racing soon.

posted on January 23rd, 2007 under Racing | Leave a Response