Longtime Alky Funny Car standout is Steve Reed, and the Oldsmobile has often been the only competitive flopper against the five second rails in recent seasons. Continuing the family theme, Reed's wife also runs a small block dragster in Top Alcohol and son Daniel competes in the Supercharged Outlaw bracket. In turn Steve's father Jim oversees the whole operation after retiring from a highly successful career in the Reed Family Alcohol Altered. And we love the current sponsorship deal with Nulon!

In what might prove to be the start of the end for the Alcohol dragsters, Gary Phillips looked like being the strongest of the field until he met Wayne Newby in an all rail final. Both cars had punted out consistent five seventies (the permitted blower overdrive in Oz is considerably slower than in NHRA or FIA competition) until Phillips slipped of the pace allowing Newby the win.

Phillips is one of a number of racers who doubles up in Group One competition - and fields one of the many Studebakers in the fan's favourite Top Doorslammer bracket with backing from the Lucas Family Oil company. Phillips deserves special mention for his awesome driving job in keeping his ride from a very heavy impact with the wall when it seemed a right off was inevitable - and prompting some of the startline photogs to perform a standing ovation as he towed back down the return road.