Drag Racing Returns to Calder Park

In November 2019, track resurfacing began to take place at the strip at Calder Park Raceway.  However, thanks to Covid 19, extra works at the track and damaging winds in October last year, the return to 1/4 mile runs at Calder Park would take three years.  But that was all forgotten as quite a crowd gathered for the return of Fast Friday Drag Racing.

The return had first been planned for February this year with Top Fuel, unfortunately it didn't eventuate. The official return was declared as the 21st of October but rain on each available Friday would further postpone any action.  But you can't hold drag racers back.  Finally on the 11th of November, they would be let loose again at the Melbourne dragstrip.

Unsurprisingly, and as how it is designed, a range of cars took to the track.  Prepped racecars brought on trailers to daily driven workhorses.

Although there is still work to be done at the track, it was awesome to see Calder Park alive and colourful at the north end of the National circuit.

The track, after three long years had erupted in noise. The pops and bangs of exhausts, the gradual rpm ascension at the burnout box, tyres squealing and the pounding of gears down the quarter mile.

The worst sound however is a Lamborghini Huracan slowly crunching against a concrete wall.

The Ford and Holden moniker would be the most popular brands on track, battling for bragging rights as always.

Of course, some unique wheels would also take to the strip, from Japanese classics like this FB RX7, European sportscars like the Porsche 911, and even a Silverado ZL1.  Who says you can't race the tow vehicle!

From AWD, to RWD, boxers to V8's to turbocharged six cylinders.  Fast Fridays are designed to give anyone with anything the chance to push their pride and joy in a straight line in a safe environment, off the street.  It feels like the storm has cleared, with the return of drag racing at Calder Park and the National Circuit planning to rounds of next year's Vic Motor Racing Championships and Vic State Race Series, it really is looking up for the historic Melbourne racetrack and thus racing in Victoria.

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