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Australia’s newest International motorsporting export, 21 year-old Pro Stock drag racing star Shane Tucker, is intent on making every post a winner during the final two rounds of the Australian championship before jetting off to compete professionally in the United States.
The Queenslander, who hails from Carbrook on Brisbane’s South, has recently secured a lucrative National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing contract with the Cagnazzi Racing outfit based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Perhaps the best news for home state fans is the fact Tucker will conclude his season commitments with a double barreled assault at his home track, Ipswich’s Willowbank Raceway, during the upcoming QT Tin Top Titles on April 28 before the season ending Winternationals on June 8-10.
"This is a dream come true for me. I couldn't have ever imagined I'd be given such a great opportunity with a first-class team such as Cagnazzi Racing," said Tucker.
“I’ve come through the ranks of Junior Dragster at Willowbank and I couldn’t have hoped for any better drag racing education than what has been provided here in Queensland.
“Hopefully other Queensland drivers will see what I’ve been able to achieve and go down that same path by getting involved in the numerous driving opportunities Willowbank has on offer from grassroots racing through to full on competition.
“I’m stoked that the opportunity has come up in the States but I certainly haven’t forgotten where it all started and it’d be awesome to complete this season on a high at my home track.
“We started with all guns blazing by winning the season opener in Sydney but a further two rounds down the track and we’re now 140 points shy of the lead.
“There’s been a few minor issues that we’ve been working on but we’ll have it all sorted by the Tin Tops and be ready to put on a good show for the fans.”
Tucker has made all the right moves during his Group One apprenticeship and came within five thousandths of a second of claiming the 2006 Australian championship during his debut season, when beaten in the 2006 Castrol EDGE Winternationals final by Dave Rogan.
That concerted effort was more than enough for him to be labeled Willowbank’s rookie of the year and as the reigning QT Tin Top Titles champion, there’s little doubt he’s a proven performer in more familiar surrounds.
“The intensity in Pro Stock during the past two seasons has been incredible. I mean last year leading into the Winternationals there was just 60 points separating the top five drivers,” added Tucker.
“The benchmark this year has been set by New South Wales drivers John Andriopoulos and Andrew Stavroulakis who have competed in the last two event finals, while Queenslander Aaron Tremayne is also showing consistency to be placed third.
“We’ve got plenty of work to get ourselves in a position to have a crack at the championship and phase one of that will definitely be the Tin Tops.
“With the deal sorted in the NHRA my entire focus is on finishing the season on a high and I can’t wait to get on track and give it a red hot go.”
Tucker acknowledges the American deal will provide a great challenge in being brought up to speed with the 500 cubic-inch Pro Stock vehicles used in the NHRA.
But the young professional will be buoyed by recent comments by Cagnazzi Racing team owner, Victor Cagnazzi and Senior Vice President Dan Pikarsky, which are also sure to bolster his confidence leading in to the QT Tin Top Titles.
“The kid is well-spoken, charismatic and a hard worker,” said Cagnazzi.
“Shane is a good fit for our organisation.”
Pikarsky added: “We are in the process of soliciting sponsors for Shane. He has movie-star good looks and will bring a young, hip factor to whoever he represents. I honestly believe he will be a good addition to the team and the Pro Stock class and will be a good ambassador for the sport.”
Anticipation reigns during the countdown towards the QT Tin Top Titles on April 28 with the return of the most incredible all-sedan confrontations as Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Street Outlaws and Pro Turbo categories headline this time honoured tradition of Queensland drag racing.
In essence the format of the QT Tin Top Titles will see the realisation of drag racing activities inclusive of Group One sedans plus the vastly popular Fast Fours Jamboree and Powercruise scenes which have continually attracted massive interest among drag racing fans.
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