Hot action on and off track in 30th Aussie Drag Nationals

CALDER PARK, VIC, AUSTRALIA Feb 25 1995: With temperatures at trackside in
the Mid 40's (110°F) and a fiery Funny car crash, action was red hot at
Calder Park for the 1995 Australian Drag Racing Nationals.

Funny Car driver Keith Agius was lucky to escape injury when his OZ Nitro
Funny Car exploded in flames in a race with eventual runner-up Darren
Carter. The fiery crash featured on all major TV news bulletins on Sunday
night as well as getting considerable newspaper coverage.

Agius ran into the back of Carters car causing the Melbourne youngster to
miss the Funny Car final giving popular home town hero Romeo Capatanio his
first National Funny Car title.

In Top Fuel, American racer Tom "Showtime" Hoover took a win from rookie
driver  Brad Simpson after the three top qualifiers Graham Cowin, Jim Read
and Rachelle Splatt all had mechanical problems putting paid to hope of
the countries first ever 300mph run.

It was another International win in Top Alcohol with Englishman Steve Read
taking his second Aussie title over Queenslander Gary Phillips who red
lighted.

Pro Stock featured a US v Australia battle as The Pontiac TransAm of
Melbourne's Peter Ridgeway downed the Aussie Commodore of Hans Van Dyke.
A crowd of around 50,000 attended the final day and the meeting attracted
coverage from both Melbourne's major dailies although "The Age" coverage
was couched in what could only be described as bemused and somewhat
condescending terms.

A one hour highlights package will be screened by the Nine Network in
Australia but no screening date has been scheduled.

-- 
Brett Ramsey
On-Line Media Consultant.
Check out http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts/VPMA/Media3.html