Newcombe Records Australia’s First Pro Stock “Six” In Winters Test

During a test session on Wednesday morning in preparation for this weekend’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals at Australia’s Willowbank Raceway, Dave Newcombe became the first Pro Stock driver to record a six-second pass, blasting down the Willowbank quarter mile to a 6.994-second clocking at 194.8 MPH.

Newcombe’s pass, albeit not recorded under official competition, betters the current national elapsed time record of 7.033, held by John Barbagallo, and the current national speed record of 194.2 held by Peter Ridgeway.

“It’s very pleasing to set this time,” said Newcombe briefly whilst preparing for another run. “It sets us up well for the weekend – we hope we’ll be able to do something similar, if not a bit quicker during the meeting.”

The race has been on among the Pro Stock teams to be the first to eclipse seven seconds, setting the pit area and the message boards in Australia and abroad abuzz about the possibility of the long-awaited barrier falling. Jason Grima had come out earlier in the day and was oh-so-close with a 7.002, but it was only a short time later that Newcombe brought his Mustang to the lanes and laid it down.

The ANDRA Pro Stock category, unlike it’s 500 cubic inch and mountain motor counterparts here in the states, has a 400 cubic inch maximum displacement, making for some exciting, high-winding racing action. The class is also the only professional ANDRA eliminator to compete with a full 16-car field.

“It’s game on from now,” said Willowbank Raceway Managing Director, Steve Bettes. “To see that time on the board this morning was unbelievable, Dave and his team should be enormously proud of what they’ve achieved. We’re proud for him being a Queensland competitor at a Queensland track setting such a quick time. It’s safe to say any thoughts of winning the Castrol EDGE Winternationals are out the window now for most Pro Stock teams – the race is on for that quickest official six second pass.”