Monday, 29 August 2016
The 2016 Brisbane Jamboree went off with a bang this year! With the Mazda 6 SP on its way to the USA, this was a chance for the other PAC boys to step into the spotlight, and those that came out to play really put on a show for the fans, breaking records and resetting new pb’s.
Kevin Awad made an impact in Street 289 with his 20B powered RX8 taking out top qualifying honours with an 8.306 @177. In the first round of eliminations, Kevin broke out, running too fast with a 7.836 @179 on a 7.900 dial in, unfortunately ending his day early.
Someone not shy of the limelight is one of the crowd favourites, Sam ‘The Godfather’ Sadek. Running a new combo in his 20B monster, Sam was just getting a handle on the new power when the unthinkable happened, the ring gear on his flywheel exploded piercing through the bellhousing leaving a hole in the floor and lodging into the passenger side door.
After further inspection back in the pits the Sadek team were forced to call it a day.
Representing the Pac street cars was the leader of our #PACSTREETKING ladder, Andrew Zada, racing at his first QLD Jamboree. After a couple of crazy launches in his first 2 qualifying passes, our tuning maestro, Rocky made a few adjustments, in order to get the car down the track which seemed to work and the RX3 was back on track blasting down the quarter mile to a new pb of 8.225 @161 qualifying Andrew in 6
th place and putting him in the Pro class of J275 up against some very quick cars.
This seemed only to push Andrew even harder running a 8.208 @170 then followed with an insane 8.151 @171.
Unfortunately Andrew did not have enough points to progress through to the finals of the Chicago style shootout, but he did claim the trophy for best wheelstand and of course another new pb for the event. Andrew certainly impressed the fans with his ‘PAC275’ 20B RX3 and he can’t wait for the next Jamboree which will be held in Melbourne.
The man everyone in the Sports Compact world is talking about right now is Steven Barnett. After having a break from racing since last years Jamboree in Melbourne, Steve was excited to be back behind the wheel. First pass of the day he ran a leisurely 7.659 @177.
Back in the pits though the team found an issue with the clutch not engaging correctly so the boys set about pulling out the transmission to fix the issue. Unfortunately Steve missed his second qualifying pass but he was back out for the third with a 7.458 @187.
First round of the Chicago shootout and Steve hammers down a 7.051 @194 setting a new pb for mph. In the second round Steve’s RX3 left hard from the line with the team holding their breath in anticipation as the car flew down the strip to an insane 6.998 @198, making it the first 13B in Australia to crack into the 6’s.
Reeling with excitement, Steve and his crew were back in the pits looking to turn the car around for the next round of racing but still managed to make some time for a quick interview with the media.
Back on the start line and Steve needed to win this semi final to progress to the finals. Out of the hole, the car looked to be on a mission passing the traps with an incredible 6.932 @199.6. The team later found out that this was a world record pass, taking the title as the world’s fastest RX3.
The final race saw Steve up against Kelly Bettes in her Datsun 1200 who had run multiple 7.0 passes through the day and he knew he had his work cut out for him.
Kelly got the hole shot on Steve but at half track the car got a little loose so she backed off to a 7.879 @129. Steve’s car didn't miss a beat racing down the track to a 7.050 @200.23 busting the 200mph barrier and taking the win in Pro Compact.
An outstanding performance for Steve and his crew that looked like they could do no wrong. Congratulations guys on a very well deserved event win and world record.
So that is the Brisbane Jamboree done for another year, we would like to thank Ray Box, Collin Willshire and the whole Jamboree team for putting on such a great event as well as the Willowbank Raceway crew for giving us a killer track. Last but certainly not least we would like to thank all of the PACsters who came along to show their support, we will see you again soon. Next stop Orlando Speedworld Dragway.
Check out our highlights video here
Published 29-08-16
