|
International Guest Player!
Bruce Biegler - June 19, 2009
Last weekend’s PMRA (Pro Modified Racing Association) event held at Toronto Motorsports Park, included some special participation, with Perth, Australia’s Adam Croker being an unexpected entry.
 Croker happened to be in the area after making the 12,000 mile trip to North America to make a final inspection and then supervise the packing of his all new ’68 Camaro which was built at nearby G-Force Race Cars (Tonawanda NY). Then as fate would have it, the weekend’s local PMRA event offered up an opportunity to test the car before loading it into a shipping container for its trip back to Australia.
“Our plan all along was to have the car built complete and then test it before shipping it,” Adam confirmed. “This race happened to be going on so it worked out perfectly.”
Croker’s all new Camaro is a remarkable piece that features not only the latest in Pro Mod chassis technology but also a very stout new motor program.
“The engine was assembled by Mike Stawicki, it is a 526 CID with the latest supercharger from DMPE,” Croker added. “The car is a fantastic piece, Jim Salemi and G-Force did a marvelous job.”
Adam did make a number of test laps over the weekend and his first “full pull” with the car did produce an extremely impressive 6.102 secs at 228.66 mph. Unfortunately on that run (which came during a first round win) the car did hurt itself which sent Croker on a bit of a wild ride before he was forced to withdraw from further competition.
“It did burn up a piston and it broke a rod and the car got a bit smoky at the finish line,” Croker explained. “That was exciting -- but I got the car stopped quick and the safety crew was there straight way. I’ve learned in this class that no one is immune from that sort of thing. But overall I think it was a very good start – I’m impressed.”
Adam confirmed that for the upcoming 2009/10 ANDRA season his approach will be gradual and calculated with his new car and team.
“We did run a ’53 Corvette for three seasons but we are now coming back to Top Doorslammer after a season with a Top Alcohol Dragster,” he revealed. “We won’t be running the full tour next year but we’ve made a big investment with the intent of eventually keeping up with John Zappia and Robin Judd who are dominating over there. I have no doubt we can run fast -- but our first priority will be to gain consistency. Once we get that worked out we will start to do some traveling.”
According to Croker, Australian Pro Mod racing (known as Top Doorslammer) remains a thriving scene with over 50 cars in the country that compete.
 “Our rules are quite a bit different however in car weight, body lines and supercharger percentage,” he added. “Right now they only run 8-car fields so not everyone shows up at every race because it’s so hard to qualify. I hear they (ANDRA) are however looking at a new “B” eliminator – which is something I think would be a good thing.”
After his Camaro completes an 8-week trip by overseas container back to Australia, Croker confirmed he will have about a three-week period before the new Australian drag racing season begins.
Croker’s car is a 100% self-funded effort. He is the workshop manager of a Perth-based civil construction company that was founded by his father.
(Bruce Biegler Photos)
| 
