As part of the massive field expected for the latest round of the Australian Pro Stock Drag Racing Championships at Willowbank Raceway over the June Long Weekend, the Tucker family will set a rare Australian and potentially world record, with father, son and daughter all competing in the one category against each other.
Former Pro Stock Australian Champion, Rob Tucker returns to the category for the first time in almost five years (he last raced in 2008) to race against defending Winternationals Champion – his son Shane and his daughter, Kirsten – who made her professional drag racing debut 12 months ago at the time honoured Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend event.
“As far as we are aware, there isn’t any other group like this – father, son and daughter – who have raced together all in the one professional category class at the same time and at the same event,” explained Tucker Sr.
“The closest anyone is aware of in drag racing is John Force and his daughters – but even then it is also a different combination to what we will be doing.
“It will definitely be a nice thing to do, but it will also certainly be busy for us – the logistics alone of organising three cars at this level is mind boggling to say the least.”
Rob has come up against his son on two occasions, however on the second weekend in June, despite his time away from the steering wheel will be aiming for a better outcome. He has never faced off against Kirsten, aside from on a karting track.
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“I have faced off against Shane in qualifying back in the day and he beat me both times!” laughed Rob Tucker.
“I have only ever raced against Kirsten in go karts, never on the drag strip, so I am really looking forward to it and if the draw leads us to line up against each other I know it will be a lot of fun.”
For Australian drag racing’s glamour boy, Shane, he needs to strike back on home soil to keep in touch with current Pro Stock Australian Championship leader, Jason Grima. Tucker sits seventh, 121 points off the Championship point and with not too many rounds remaining, he needs a big result at Willowbank.
“Dad has been working really hard on our cars and with this year being the 25thanniversary of when he debuted in the Pro Stock bracket, I am just really hoping that we can qualify all three cars and continue this through to race day,” said Tucker Jr.
“Being the defending winner, it definitely adds a bit of pressure but I will just do everything I can – after our last round where in Sydney I ran a time that was just three thousandths away from the national record and got beaten on a holeshot (other driver had a better reaction time) I am certainly inspired to make amends.”
To extend the family theme even further, Kirsten’s husband John Cannuli is a leading light in the Top Alcohol category.
The Fuchs Winternationals takes place at Willowbank Raceway from Friday June 7 through to Monday June 10, when eliminations for the professional categories will take place.
Willowbank Raceway is located on Champions Way at Willowbank outside Ipswich.
