Weekend victor Sean Helson talks Kenda Tires Drag Radial
The Kenda Tires Drag Radial class was part of the popular Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car show held for the first time at Willowbank Raceway on the weekend.
Forty-four year old Sean Helson of Redlands took out the category win in his 1973 naturally-aspirated XA Ford Fairmont, with the merchant seaman’s victory coming in what was only his second event in the class, after having raced in the category’s debut at Warwick some years ago.
“I was pleased to take the win, especially at such a great venue and at an event such as the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars which enjoys good crowd attendance,” said Helson, who has previously raced his XA in a range of classes at Willowbank Raceway, Warwick Dragway and Benaraby Raceway, including Aussie Muscle, Gas, Super Street, Super Sedan, True Street and Drag Radial across a drag racing career of ten years.
“With the large number of entries for the class for the event, Kenda Tires announced it would be divided into two classes. The Pro Radial 5.99 second and faster class and the Drag Radial 6.00 seconds and above class – I think this is a good idea as the class continues to grow.
“My three qualifying passes went well with my car running just under the 6.00 second index, so I had to slow the car a little to run in the Drag Radial index, as being a naturally aspirated street car it was suited to the majority of that field, with the Pro Radial Class consisting of the more-developed cars.”
While this may have been only his second outing in the Kenda Tires Drag Radial class, Helson is pleased to expound its benefits.
“For the racers it is a fun class to be involved in. It is very well-organised and has great sponsors and prize money, with additional prizes for the winners as well as for sub-categories such as the winner of Best Wheelstand, Best Burnout and so on,” said Helson, who thanks Kenda Tires, HPS, Gazzard Brothers, Chris Diggles and “everyone else involved” for their support.
“The communication from the organisers to the racers in the pit area was impeccable, and they even put on food and drink after the meeting. Racers are involved in the drawing of the match-ups for each round, which allows competitors to come together and meet each other before each round which I think is a good thing. And with Heads-Up/Pro Tree racing across the eighth mile, there is plenty of good and fast racing.
“For the spectators I think the class provides great entertainment for young and old, with a variety of cars to suit everyone’s taste – including a wide array of engine combinations including supercharged, turbo charged, NOS, naturally-aspirated and four, six and eight cylinder all running on a common tyre.
“I think spectators like seeing these cars that they grew up with and that have meaning to them, running head to head in close racing with the Pro Tree over the eighth mile – plus the incentives to the competitors for the best wheelstands certainly adds extra value for the spectator!”