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| Roel Koedam astride the Puma Machine that now belongs to Leonard Azzopardi. (Pic: John Bosher). |
2007 A C Delco Countdown To Go - Leonard Azzopardi
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
(Sydney, NSW) With each season that passes in Australian Championship Drag Racing, there is always one professional Group 1 Drag Racing bracket that seems to explode in terms of development and growth. In 2004/2005, it was Top Doorslammer, in 2005/2006 Top Alcohol rose to the fore with an influx of Funny Cars and in last season's Championship (06/07) it was the impressive growth of Pro Stock. It already seems clear that for the upcoming Drag Racing season commencing with the ACDelco East Coast Nationals from ladies FREE Friday - August 31st, that Drag Racing's two Nitro brackets - Top Fuel and Top Bike, will be the ones to watch.
One man who aims to really turn heads this season is Leonard Azzopardi, on the gob-smacking ex-Roel Koedam Puma powered beast!
Azzopardi will race handlebar to handlebar with a monster field of TWELVE Nitro 2-wheeled monsters and the Londonderry local from the far western reaches of Sydney simply cannot wait!
"The ACDelco event will be awesome and an opportunity to shake out the cobwebs both ways, however it will probably shake more cobwebs out of me," exclaimed the likeable Azzopardi.
Roel Koedam was a champion of Europe and its fastest Top Bike rider, with the very machine that 'leaping Leonard' taken purchase of producing a best ever Elapsed Time of 6.04 seconds for the quarter at speeds exceeding 235 miles per hour, making it the fifth fastest and quickest Drag Racing bike on the planet!
The bike is a both an exciting and unique combination in equal measure.
"The engine has Puma crank and cases, however the head and barrel was computer designed by team Koedam, basically a bunch of Dutch lunatics created this monster 3-valve head and it doesn't miss a beat. We should have no problems in servicing the engine during the event and making turnaround times required. The cumulative research and development into this combination is obvious."
Azzopardi has Drag Racing well and truly in his blood with his wife, frequently hitting up the WSID quarter mile at Bracket Attack events, Wednesday nights and major events where he is famous for his searing Hayabusa bikes that run comfortably into the 7-second zone - without Wheelie Bars attached!
"I wanted to run a 7.50 pass on a no-Wheelie bar bike and taken the Sport Compact events like the Jamboree in Queensland and it was mission accomplished for us. I still have a stock bike that I have a blast with on Wednesday nights from time to time and hang with the Hayabusa guys."
Comparing the launch of the Suzuki machine to his new acquisition elicits much mirth from Leonard!
"Oh my goodness there is no comparison there; the Top Bike has a far greater whiplash effect that definitely grabs your attention. The bike runs so straight as well that any misdirection is awfully hard to correct during a run. The crew aligning me at the launch is as important as anything for a clean, straight pass!
My best in testing and licensing so far has been a 7.59 but that was click off at half track and roll through the finish line!
The 60ft times have been excellent so far, I am running consistently in the 1.06 to 1.08 range and that is very pleasing considering Roel's best short time on it was a 1.04 and he was running 1.11's here at the International event here last December."
Leaping Leonard has a clear agenda set out for the ACDelco event and it's about 'leaping' ahead of his rivals at the startline!
"I really hope to steadily progress at the East Coast Nationals and sneak into the sixes for starters. Drag to me is all about how hard and quick you can get out of the hole and hopefully they see the back of the bike at the tree and I can hang on and win!"
Taking hold of a new bold combination has seen excellent support for Team Azzopardi, from both local and overseas influences.
Roel's crew have been in regular contact from Holland about the bike and been very helpful in setting our programme up. Jay Upton has also been a fantastic help so far and he told me he is more than happy to help me out, that is until I start beating him anyway!"
Want to see the potential of the new Azzopardi beast? Then click HERE to watch Koedam scorch out a 6.1-second blast on the same bike at Hockenheim in Germany!
Leonard Azzopardi is ready to party at the upcoming ACDelco East Coast Nationals!
ACDelco East Coast Nationals
Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1.
Western Sydney International Dragway
Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek
- 2007-2008 ANDRA Championship Series Opener for Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
- 2007-2008 Rocket All Stars Series Opener for all Sportsman (Groups 2, 3 and 4) brackets.
- Gate opening times TBA
Please click HERE for ACDelco East Coast Nationals competitors ENTRY LIST
Please click HERE for ACDelco East Coast Nationals Corporate Options
*** Saturday Corporate Boxes are now SOLD OUT, Friday Boxes still on sale, VIP Marquee tickets also available but selling quickly! ***
Please click HERE for competitors ONLINE ENTRY TO ALL EVENTS
Please click HERE for information on the ANDRA Championship Dinner
Pricing:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31
LADIES - FREE ENTRY!
Adults - $35
Pensioners - $25
12-16yrs - $25
Kids under 12 - FREE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Adults - $40
Pensioners - $30
12-16yrs - $30
Kids under 12 - FREE
TWO DAY PASS
Adults - $70
Pensioners - $50
12-16yrs - $50
Kids under 12 - FREE
NIGHT-TRO PASSES: 5pm, 7pm and 9pm BOTH DAYS
EVENT INFO LINE: (02) 9672 1320
EMAIL: info@wsid.com.au
WEB: www.wsid.com.au
PR Contact:
Dean Neal
dean@wsid.com.au.
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