The third qualify she went quicker again and ran 8.995. Pretty constant with her 8 seconds now so we were confident for the first round on Saturday against Johno King, a good racer, Rhiannon knew she was in for a challenge. Rhiannon cut a bad light, even though Johno’s light wasn't so sharp either, he still got her on the tree. She thought she might still have a chance but at last minute Johno got past her at the finish line to take the win light.

Rhiannon and the team were disappointed and naturally would have liked to go more rounds but their day will come. Craig and Mel were still encouraging Rhiannon, and even though they had smiles on there faces Rhiannon still knew they would of loved to see her up there holding a gold Christmas tree, maybe next time.

Bryce, Jesse and Jeremy, kept going rounds, with Jeremy finishing runner up, Jake Donnelly winning the event, congratulations. Saturday and Sunday night were great with the Queensland and the NSW junior kids, they all chilled out, played footy and gave the meeting good atmosphere.

Rhiannon Allison
3736

Full Throttle Friday, 29th January, 2010

While Craig was at work Rhiannon loaded the car with Reece and Mel, arriving at the track at 5.30pm. Before racing Rhiannon needed to put the clutch back together and tighten all the bolts.  She got to work tightening the bolts, putting the clutch on and thought she was ready to go racing.  Reece jumped in and warmed up the car while Rhiannon started it.  Everything seemed to be okay, so to the staging lanes they went, with Craig ringing every five minutes.

With Rhiannon all suited up and ready to go, Tom started the car.  Unfortunately all it did was rev but wouldn't move, so Rhiannon switched it off and told Tom the revs were too high before they started it again.  It did the same again so it was back to the pits with Rhiannon worrying what was wrong with the car. Craig finally arrived, and of course being a super dad he pulled the clutch off and showed her what had gone wrong.  The spacer was put on the wrong way so the clutch didn't line up properly.

Luckily not too much damage was done, and it was quickly fixed and ready to race.  Rhiannon was very confident with the new belt on the car and everything else had been checked. Craig, Mel, Reece and Nick all helped her on the start line, the best crew guys ever.  The burnout felt awesome and she staged pretty well, cutting a .041 light and ran a 9.17 which she was pretty happy with, the cars being back to were it had been.  We went out for another race, however this time Rhiannon tried a little too hard on the tree and went red at -0.003 and ran a 9.16.  At least Craig could see she was nailing the tree.  The next run was also a red light at -0.006.  The favourite colour for the night seeming to be red, hopefully at Summers it will be green.  We got another run around 11pm and the car was still performing amazingly well.  Luckily the rain kept away.  The crew and Rhiannon were pretty happy, thanks to the officials and Craig, Mel, Reece, Tom, Nick and Daniel for a great night.   Despite a few dramas Rhiannon learnt how to put a clutch on so lesson learnt.

Rhiannon Allison
3736

Willowbank Night Fires New Years Series Round 1

After a long trip the team arrived at the track pumped and ready to race in Queensland. We were pitted with the NSW Modified Association. The “NSW Purple Junior Team” consisted of Rhiannon and Simone for this event. As this was the first time Rhiannon had raced at Willowbank, Craig and Rhiannon walked the track the night before, meeting the officials, who always give you a warm welcoming to the track. With the start of qualifying Rhiannon felt very confident and excited, having completed her first pass in Queensland. After three rounds of qualifying Rhiannon felt really happy with her runs and excited to start racing. First round she was lined up next to a local, cutting a good light, with a dial in of 9.30, running a 9.36, to take the win. In the second round, with a new dial in a 9.40, Rhiannon ran a 9.26, with a good light while the local girl she raced left a cherry on the tree. Third round saw the weather change dramatically and the humidity fall, which gave the team a great opportunity to adjust the dial in before going out for another good race. Rhiannon and Simone were both still in and really rapped to get to where they were, that was until they found the next race had them up against each other. Being the last two NSW cars in the field, and good friends, it was obvious only one of us would have the chance to bring the trophy home. Rhiannon knew she had to be on her game, knowing Simone is a good racer, with a number of seasons under her belt. With both cars in stage, Rhiannon being the slower car, leaving the line first, unfortunately tried a bit too hard, left a cherry on the tree at a -.016 handing Simone the win. It was now all up to Simone, the last NSW car left in the running. She was next paired with Obe, and unfortunately lost the race. Obe however went on to win the meeting, which is not so bad to lose to the ultimate winner. It was a really good day, going a few rounds and being really proud of the car, and Rhiannon made Mum and Dad proud. Daniel was disappointed with no trophy for the mantel but she will bring one home one day. Rhiannon would like to thank her Mum and Dad for taking her to Willowbank, they are the best crew and always encourage, even with a red light they still keep smiles on there faces. Thanks also to Daniel for always cheering and wishing her luck, he's great support. With special thanks to our sponsors, DANNOLAS FLUID CONNECTIONS, Motor sport connections (BRAD PENN OIL), Excite Signs Penrith. We are now looking forward to the Summernationals, and then heading off to Perth for the Western Nationals in February.

Bracket Attack 7/11/09 We had a really good start to the day, running the junior dragster was going really well.  Rhiannon cut good lights, the best being a 0.016, the best light of the field, and had a really constant car thanks to dads tune up. Rhiannon got through first round racing Tabby, who red lit, which gave Rhiannon the win. Second round also saw Rhiannon go through thanks to a red light by the Tobster.  Unfortunately in the third round against Rocco the car played up on the line and stumbled, Rhiannon not cutting a good light at 0.345.  Rocco cut a 0.073 and went on to win the race.  It was unfortunate but after a good day, setting some pb’s and feeling more and more confident with the car, it was a overall good meeting.

Full Throttle Friday getting ready for Round 1 of the Night Fires We got in 10 passes in 4 hours, cutting some unreal lights, and managed to sort out all the issues with the car.  With only junior dragsters at the meet, we got well and truly dizzy before heading home. Afterwards the team were very confident on the heading up to Willowbank.

So what is happening at DANNOLAS RACING these days?  Let’s see… After a strong effort by the team and the modified car at the 2009 Winternationals, Craig thought it was time to give the old car a check up.  A visit to Dr Frankensteen for a quick check on the car.  “Hey Doc, I think it’s time for the motor to have the ol’ once over". Doctor Frankensteen said “Bring it over and I’ll put it in the basement and see what I can do”.Meanwhile back at the ranch, Mel & Craig are washing the modified in cold water.  Shock, horror, the body has shrunk.  Out comes Rhiannon to see what Mum & Dad are crying about.  “Never mind, I have a great idea, I can race it as a Junior Dragster to keep the Dannolas Racing dream alive” Rhiannon says. “That’s a great idea” says Mel “and I can still be the back up chick and Craig can do the tune up. No problems”. The photographers say “Great idea, we can take photos of the back up chick in hot pants and a tight top, with platform shoes like the old Castlereagh days”. Mel retorts “In your dreams buddy, I gave my hot pants away, so there”. Out at the track for the bracket meet in August, Rhiannon did well with consistent times getting her ANDRA licence.  Passing with flying colours, she says to Dad, “The old car and motor are flying down the track.  Bring on the Fuchs Nationals”. Craig tells Mel “Don’t let Rhiannon know she only has the motor from the mower on board. Anyway, I wonder how Doctor Frankensteen is going with my motor.  I still don’t know what he meant when he said it was going to be the ‘Son of Frankensteen’”???