WAY OUT WEST

ONE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S MARQUEE MODIFIED CAR EVENTS, THE 38TH EDITION OF MOTORVATION SAW ACTION APLENTY

- BORIS VISKOVIC

IT LOOKED for all money like the weather at Burson Auto Parts Motorvation 38 would be typically scorching, as the mercury soared to 40 degrees on the Friday of the event. Mercifully though, the Freo Doctor got up for work early on Saturday and Sunday to make for a very comfortable weekend down at the Perth Motorplex.

Entrants had the place to themselves until 2pm on the Friday, when the gates were kicked open to the public. Prior to that, the competitors could get acquainted with Skid Row and make sure everything was on song for the weekend ahead.

We rocked up a bit later, when that beautiful lateafternoon light started to hit just in time for the eighthmile drags. There were some well-sorted cars having a crack and running some decent numbers, but it was also great to see a couple of the burnout crew having a go.

One car that really surprised me in the drags wa Chad Johnson's '57 Chevy. I'd seen it at previous Motorvation events, but the '57 seemed to be moving down the track a hell of a lot quicker than I remembered. With 700hp from a 582ci big-block, the Chev never had an issue with power, but following a recent upgrade to the rear end with some tubs and CalTracs, the old girl really lifted and separated on launch to run the eighth in the 6.70s, which would suggest mid-10s in the quarter.

Friday night saw an invitation-only burnout event with a winner-takes-all cash prize pool of $5000 across three classes. Chris Orchard contested both the Open and Pro classes in different cars, and ended up winning both, pocketing $4500 for his troubles! Dayne Bairstow picked up the win in the Sportsman class.