CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
The “Lexus Piranha Genuine Parts Real Deal Motor Sports Insurance NTI Hot Rod” put on nothing short of a spectacular performance for the season ending Winter Nationals.
For the 2nd time in 3 years we entered the final meeting for the ANDRA Rocket All Stars Championship deciding Winternationals, tied on 120 points with our great friends who always pit beside us all over the country, John & Sharon Ward with their High Performance World Dragster. John’s been racing for close on 35 years and has never won a Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree (they are the most treasured item in a Drag Racers trophy cabinet), and indeed extremely hard to obtain. We have been fortunate in winning our first Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree at the WSID Summernationals in Sydney earlier in the year.
First round was held late on the Saturday night too late for OUTLAWS, track was cold. We had Lyle Gilmore @ 200mph+ Altered which probably played into our hands a little bit, with the quicker cars its harder to go fast with the cold track and harder to be consistent. But Nathan ran very close to his dial in even though we turned the tyres to pick up a first round win.
Our other good friends from Western Australia (we have a stack of good friends in Outlaws) Lindsay, Wendy & Shane Catalano had bought over the mighty - “Mopar Magic Charger” for this meeting, the biggest of the year as far as I am concerned. Tony & Gillian Argentino with the Famous USA built - HITMAN and the Chapman brothers, now there’s a wild pair with the beautiful gold MUSTANG, a great looking car. Maurice Brennan was also pitted with us in his AA/AP Commodore.
Special mention for ‘Bling Bling’ the Brickman from Western Australia who brought the Catalano’s car plus some assorted crap over with him including the HSV Adventurer Commodore which he spent half the meeting polishing, but he also did a great job on the Lexus Piranha Hot Rods wheels.
New wheels & fresh tyres for the meeting, Motec on board for the first time a big investment but so far we are very pleased with it. Thanks to Paul Topping from Adelaide and Motec for coming down to our pit to give us a bit of tuition & Ashley Bolt from R'ton for the endless hours fitting it , I am sure when the boys get on top of it we will benefit by wringing some more ET and horsepower out of the Toyota Genuine Parts HOT ROD.
Chris Loy of the legendary Loy family from Warwick went into the Winternats leading the Rocket All Stars on 160 points. In the nights before we had some fun offering $500 to anyone who would take him out. I did receive quite a humorous shall we say R-Rated voice message back from Chris and I declined to take up the actions in which he suggested in the message. Well Wardy got him in the first round and wanted the $500 but I reneged because he took us out the 2nd round, so he’s not getting the $500.
The money run was the 2nd round, and we drew John Ward this would decide most likely the Australian Title, the only other person who really had a chance at that stage was Tom Coonan who would have to win the meeting. The first Gold Christmas Tree was decided on that run and unfortunately it wasn’t us, the car ran a P.B. but it ran it at the wrong time, we had previously ran three 7.57’s and never expected it to run at 7.49. We have been trying for the last 3 meetings to run a 7.49, it just happened at the wrong time. Congratulations to John & Sharon for that round, they had very little chance of loosing the Australian Title at that point in time, but Wardy the great racer that he is went on to win the event over Bill Fletcher.
Now Bill’s just getting into that winning feeling after having won the Tin Tops, he then goes onto the Winternats and finishes runner up, he’ll be back, we will all be back, it's not all about winning its about how you play the game. It’s about being a great sportsman and promoting the sport in which we enjoy so much, everyone has their own sport but we are just a bunch of dedicated Drag Racers.
To all the Piranha Crew thanks very much for all the hard work and to our magnificent sponsors, (we are certainly looking for more)
A special thanks to:
Toyota Genuine Parts
Des & Debbie Brown - CQ Cabinet Makers
Craig & Jane Arnold - Arnold’s Tyres
Tom & Glenese Guest ell Bimrose - Bimrose Oils & Lubricants not only do they keep the truck alive they also keep the Lexus Piranha Hot Rod alive.
Allan Croft – My neighbour and No.1 boyfriend for the endless hours of maintenance work on the heads
Lionel Durre - Engine ImprovementsLast of all I would like to thank Heather my darling wife for allowing me the budget to do what I just love so much.
A couple of points of interest, on the way home John Ward had problems with the trailer, broke a couple of backing plates in the brakes which kept them in Musslebrook till Tuesday morning to replace some tyres. We made comment and so did every team who pulled up to make sure he was alright, about our concerns with the weight of the 2 Gold Christmas Trees and not the weight of his large body that may put more pressure on the trailer.
See you at WSID in September for the Nationals.
Regards, Peter A. Peirano.
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS QUALIFYING ROUND ONE
05/06/2008 6:08 pm 17Deg,76%H,1017mB,539RA,(TT)25Deg
1452 Right Lane NATHAN PEIRANO LEXUX HOT ROD , 4 LITRE/240CUI
370 Left Lane LINDSAY CATALANO VJ CHARGER , TFX 526
#Tst RcNo 164_______Time Trials, Test and Tune (R) Right Win M:0.716
NUMCLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
1452SC/O 6.50 0.377 1.461 3.542 5.249142.77 6.744 8.026173.41 1
370SC/S 6.50 0.255 1.177 3.646 5.416141.51 7.025 8.864110.46 1 F
After what has been an absolutely pristine day of racing, we are on to the first qualifying session of Supercharged Outlaws, first out of the blocks Nathan Pierano & Lindsay Catalano and Catalano experienced severe tyre shake right off the start line and the chutes fully deployed from shaking prior to half track. Nice solid pass for Pierano.
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS QUALIFYING ROUND TWO
06/06/2008 11:07 am 19Deg,73%H,1018mB,709RA,(TT)24Deg
288 Right Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
1452 Left Lane NATHAN PEIRANO LEXUX HOT ROD , 4 LITRE/240CUI
#Tst RcNo 167_______Time Trials, Test and Tune (R) Right Win M:0.364
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
288 SC/O 6.50 0.591 1.088 2.989 4.609 151.52 6.009 7.201 186.64 2
1452 SC/O 6.50 0.579 1.114 3.104 4.805 143.40 6.297 7.577 174.96 2
Nathan Pierano in the Lexus powered altered – not a great deal of tyre smoke on the burnout, John Ward from New South Wales in the dragster in the lane beside him, and the Lexus struggles off the start line with tyre shake, its a good pass for Ward although he could do with sharpening up his reaction times
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS QUALIFYING ROUND THREE
06/06/2008 2:17 pm
1452 Right Lane NATHAN PEIRANO LEXUX HOT ROD , 4 LITRE/240CUI
2910 Left Lane BILL FLETCHER DRAGSTER , 361
#Tst RcNo 335_______Time Trials, Test and Tune (R) Right Win
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
1452 SC/O 6.50 0.374 1.109 3.112 4.823 142.49 6.329 7.625 171.17 3
2910 SC/O 6.50 -0.800 3 F
Nathan Pierano and Bill Fletcher, Pierano and Ward are currently tied in second place for the Championship just 40 points behind Loy, the fire goes out in Fletchers dragster and pushed back, Pierano is looking for a good time, despite leaving the cherry on the tree, its not a bad pass it backs up the previous pass this morning
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS ELIMINATIONS ROUND ONE
07/06/2008 11:07 pm 14Deg,84%H,1024mB,-140RA,(TT)21Deg
2280 Right Lane CHRIS LOY COMMODORE , CHEV 454
288 Left Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
#Gp3 RcNo 238 ---- SUPERCHARGED (L) Left Win M:0.021
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
2280 SC/S 7.30 0.504 1.164 3.182 4.813 150.50 6.218 7.409 189.23
288 SC/O 7.13 0.530 1.076 2.972 4.593 151.11 5.999 7.192 187.74
Chris Loy and John Ward are into their burnout routine, now if Ward can put Loy out...well he could have a go at the Championship as it is not set in cement yet. Loy is out like a bullet, but Ward is rounding him up down the bottom end, Ward takes the win so now Ward has the chance at the Australian Champion. Only Pierano can stop him.
07/06/2008 11:14 pm 14Deg,84%H,1024mB,-113RA,(TT)21Deg
3765 Right Lane LYLE GILMORE FORD T BUCKET , 358 CLEVELAND
1452 Left Lane NATHAN PEIRANO LEXUX HOT ROD , 4 LITRE/240CUI
#Gp3 RcNo 240 SC/O SUPERCHARGED (L) Left Win M:0.864
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
3765 SC/O 7.18 0.484 1.431 4.525 8.059 57.69 12.755 18.141 38.29
1452 SC/O 7.55 0.552 1.114 3.118 4.815 143.68 6.302 7.579 172.88
Nathan Pierano, now he has the chance at the Championship if he can put away Lyle Gilmour, both Gilmour and Pierano are capable of the Australian title and only each other and John Ward stand in their way, I don’t know what Gilmour was up to he skidded to 300 feet, and was just out of control with the tyres hazing away. Pierano didn’t realise what was going on behind him and full powered to the finish and nearly broke out...now Pierano can get a grip on the title.
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS ELIMINATIONS ROUND TWO
08/06/2008 10:42 am 18Deg,71%H,1026mB,329RA,(TT)24Deg
1452 Right Lane NATHAN PEIRANO LEXUX HOT ROD , 4 LITRE/240CUI
288 Left Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
#Gp3 RcNo 111 SC/O SUPERCHARGED (L) Left Win M:0.022
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
1452 SC/O 7.56 0.537 1.115 3.087 4.755 145.54 6.228 7.498 167.29 B
288 SC/O 7.13 0.414 1.092 2.974 4.574 153.06 5.964 7.169 176.96
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS ELIMINATIONS ROUND THREE
08/06/2008 2:27 pm 19Deg,58%H,1023mB,519RA,(TT)28Deg
288 Right Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
84 Left Lane BRYAN MARSDEN MEYER DRAGSTER , BAE 540
#Gp3 RcNo 187 SC/O SUPERCHARGED (R) Right Win M:0.271
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
288 SC/O 7.13 0.445 1.090 2.984 4.596 151.11 5.989 7.217 171.82
84 SC/O 6.63 0.628 1.075 2.854 4.370 159.92 5.694 6.805 201.07
John Ward if he wins this one, wins the Championship, he is up against Brian Marsden in his brand new dragster . Ward has adopted the Pierano Chickens for this run as he put Pierano out in the last round and ended his Championship dreams, both into stage, Ward gets a great leave he has it won before half track as Marsden had a very slow reaction time and then seemed to bog down.
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS ELIMINATIONS ROUND FOUR
08/06/2008 5:41 pm 16Deg,71%H,1024mB,180RA,(TT)24Deg
444 Right Lane TOM COONAN FORD XR8 , BAE511
288 Left Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
#Gp3 RcNo 279 ---- SUPERCHARGED (L) Left Win M:2.641
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
444 SC/S 6.75 0.763 1.228 3.696 5.758 121.03 7.534 9.148 131.27
288 SC/O 7.13 0.482 1.073 2.960 4.573 152.13 5.975 7.168 185.72
Tom Coonan into the burnout, John Ward in the lane beside him .38 the difference the Ford to do the waiting...they do their burnout, Coonan cant find reverse, he is pushed back, Ward waits very sports man like, and it pays off, Coonan cant get traction and Ward he goes to the final.
CARPENTER FORD SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS ELIMINATIONS FINAL
08/06/2008 7:18 pm 16Deg,78%H,1026mB,47RA,(TT)23Deg
2910 Right Lane BILL FLETCHER DRAGSTER , 361
288 Left Lane JOHN WARD DRAGSTER , 489
#Gp3 RcNo 323 SC/O SUPERCHARGED (L) Left Win M:0.063
NUM CLASS HCAP REACT 60 330 660 MPH 1000 ET MPH
2910 SC/O 7.28 0.542 1.055 3.058 4.722 147.44 6.171 7.426 176.19
288 SC/O 7.13 0.497 1.065 2.944 4.558 152.33 5.986 7.258 172.08
Bill Fletcher and John Ward are our final two Supercharged Outlaws, this has been a nail biting meeting for Ward as he was also after the championship which he has tied up, .15 second handicap to Ward, they are out, Ward got the wholeshot and took it all the way to the finish line. It was a little bit untidy but a win is a win, is a win. And this weekend he has taken the Championship and the Winternationals Winners Trophy.
See you at WSID in September for the Nationals.
Love the photo! Who is the cute guy on my left. Thank you all for a most enjoyable and informative weekend.Until you actually get involved it is hard to get your head around the hype and frenzied activity. Again thank you all very much.Regards Tom B.

Peter , your’e the best! The effort you put into you people , and the people who follow you is amazing , there should be a lot more like you , but for now ,” YOURE THE BEST “ drag racing needs more Peter Pierano’s keep it up , admirer # 1 Roly Leahy.
Hey Peter,
Turned up today, the car looks fantastic,really appreciate this, will hang in the new room next to me and Victor.
What's on the cards for Melbourne, do you ever make it this far south, if so let me know and will come along
Thanks again
Tim
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