Mark Bardsley wins Top Doorslammer at The Rock FM 2016 Nitro Shootout

January 9, 2016

Bobby Owens broke the national BB/TS record in the first round of The Rock FM 2015 Nitro Shootout [Photo by: Popeye Pics]

Six competitors fronted for the Top Doorslammer bracket at The Rock FM 2016 Nitro Shootout. Murray Smith lead out qualifying driving Craig Browns 55 Chev and recorded a 8 second pass checking out a new fuel setup. Rod Benjes was out next with a 6.712 in the DB Racecars Chevrolet Beretta sporting new sponsorship from Childs Play. Barry Plumpton was up next and jumped to the top spot with a 6.678 in the Focus Construction Group nitrous Monte Carlo. Gary Benham performed a launch only as he had made many changes to his 51 Holden Ute in the off season. Trevor Smith weaved his way down the track to a 6.8, but had the time disallowed. Mark Bardsley failed to get down the track when his car developed a fuel leak and was placed at the rear of the field where he would face Barry Plumpton in the first round.

Plumpton staged, but went no further while Bardsley, in the Rislone 68 Camaro, used all of his lane for a weaving 8.2 win. The next pairing was the closest race of the bracket. Rod Benjes won the start line battle with a .148 reaction to Trevor Smiths .217 reaction time. Smith, in The Earthmover 75 Statesman, powered to a 6.571 to better Benjes 6.580, but it was not enough to reel in Rod in the Childs Play Beretta. Murray Smith and Gary Benham were up next. Murray suffered a blower manifold explosion which popped the doors open, broke the cars windows and tried to lift the roof of the 55 Chev. Murray sustained a broken finger, but won the race as Gary slowed to an 11 second pass. Smith was out and Benjes was out with a broken rocker stand, leaving Mark Bardsley to take the bracket win with a solo pass.