01/05/2015

 

Queenslander, Greg Leahy is one of the most experienced Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car drivers in the field and fellow sunshine-stater, Jake Donnelly is certainly the youngest at 19 years of age – but the new kid on the block will give nothing away when the two get behind the wheel of their new race cars in Mackay. 

 

Donnelly will be racing his new car, the Harbour City Hustler, previously campaigned by none other than Greg Leahy himself.

The late-model Camaro showed it’s full potential after a successful test at Willowbank Raceway with Jake immediately putting down some scorching passes.

 

“The car felt great and I can’t wait to race it in Mackay!” explained Jake.

 

Donnelly’s first session on the car netted a very quick 5.89-second pass at just under 330kph. The speed is down on the 400kph, which the car is capable of, which also means there is more to come in terms of outright performance.

 

Jake explains, “I was off of the throttle at 1000ft, so we coasted down the last part of the track.”

 

“There is more in it yet, that was just testing, we want to win some races, that’s what we are here for” smiled the 19 year old.

 

Greg Leahy, the man who stepped out of the Camaro has taken delivery of the Stormtrooper Mustang, which he now owns.

“We have found our home in this series and we are committed to racing this car all around Australia.”

 

“This is a great thing that Graeme and Wendy have done and we are just loving it. The new car is the next step in our involvement. Beg’s (Anthony Begley, the previous Stormtrooper driver) has shown what this car can do and now he also has his own car close to finished as well!

 

“The numbers are growing and that’s a sign that this series is on the right track,” smiled Leahy.

 

Nitro racing in Mackay will be at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, with spectators advised to arrive at 3pm for the ‘salute to the crowd’.

 

Saturday May 16

Palmyra Dragway

2 Bells Road

Mackay, Palmyra, Queensland

 

Photography credit: Dave Lovi