Warrnambool's Tony Frost will get the chance to see how his revamped Suzuki bike runs when he competes in the South Coast Nationals in Portland this weekend.
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The Warrnambool and District Drag Racing Association vice-president said his team gained a new sponsor this year.
He's got a new engine and has made some adjustments to the clutch.
Frost will come up against high-quality opponents in the competition bike (group two) category.
"In our class, you've to be on the ball all the time," he said.
Frost said top-ranked Rob Cassar and Nathan Stone were in the tough field.
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He is eager to see how his engine will hold up and that will determine the rest of his season.
Excitement is building around the nationals event with five Australian number ones to race in the various categories.
It's a points round of the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) Summit Sportsman Series with full championship points and silver Christmas trees awarded to each category.
South Coast Raceway secretary Scott Cleary said it was one of the biggest events on the club's calendar.
"It's probably the largest event outside of a capital city as far as drag racing goes," he said.
"We've got 162 entries and that's nearly a record."
Qualifiers will be held on Saturday from 10am to 6pm and eliminations on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
The club is also hosting an open access day on Friday in which the public can walk in the pit area and admire vehicles.
Aussie number ones Paul Jennings (super street), Martin Mirco (super sedan), Jason Arbery (top sportsman), Jake Berias (junior dragster) and Adam Mundy (modified eliminator) will race.
The event includes competitors from Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and there are 10 different racing categories.
Cleary is expecting a good battle in the supercharged outlaws.
He anticipates the experienced Christine Steffens from New South Wales will qualify in the fastest time.
Cleary said it would be Steffen's first time racing in Portland.
He added Colac's Justin Russell could provide strong competition in the supercharged outlaws.
"They'll battle it out for number one qualifier," Cleary said.
South Coast Raceway will also host another ANDRA Summit Sportsman Series round in January.
The South Coast 660 will be held on January 11 and 12 in Portland.
Competition bike is one of the categories for that event.
It's probably the largest event outside of a capital city as far as drag racing goes.
- Scott Cleary
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