Pilkington Makes Finals Again!

Pilkington Makes Finals Again!

Goldenstates victor Rob Pilkington has continued his success into the next round of the Motorplex Track Championship with a finals berth, and only a mechanical issue robbing him of the opportunity to fight for another win.

Qualifying in the second spot with a sub-record 5.73 second elapsed time, Pilkington’s Alutech Funny Car continued to run the numbers in the first round of eliminations to guarantee a spot in the final.

However on closer inspection of the engine after a violently tyre-shaking first round, the Force Equipment team spotted an issue with the rear main bearing, that destroyed any chance of making the start line in time for the final.

“Unfortunately on doing our servicing we found the tyre shaking runs had caused damage to the rear main bearing, but overall it was a successful nights racing in the big picture, with more data accumulated and points claimed,” Pilkington reflected positively.

“We feel like we can push safely into the 5.60 range in AA/Funny Car trim, which is our short term goal for the local track championship, and our runner up position last weekend now puts us in equal first in points with our good mate Al McClure.”

With seven rounds remaining in the championship hunt, Pilkington is playing his cards close to his chest, when asked about the chances of another title.

“It sounds like the cliché thing to say, but these championships get harder every year. Just when you think we’ve stepped up enough to give us some head room, you forget that everybody else has stepped up as well. Take Al for example, who sliced almost a tenth of his personal best time last weekend. That’s just unheard of at this level, but he did it so we really have our work cut out for us this year.”

“We’re looking forward the next round to once again try and push the limits to gain further points and run sub record numbers. We’ll have to take any advantage we can so I’ll even be trying to have a little less Christmas cheer than Al, just to keep the weight down!”

The Force Equipment crew will enjoy the longest break of the season, with just over three weeks until the next round, when the Alutech Funny Car will take to the quarter mile on December 28 and 29 as part of the Nitro Funny Car show at the Perth Motorplex.