THE Kenda Tires 660 Drag Radial Series hit Queensland’s Benaraby Dragway last weekend, with a solid 29-strong field of radial cars out for some eighth-mile fun, in conjunction with the third round of the Central Queensland Drag Racing Association Championship.

A wet Friday saw that evening’s test and tune cancelled, but thankfully the event was met with sunshine Saturday morning. It was slow going in the early sessions, but by the time racing rolled around competitors had found their fast tune-ups.

After qualifying, the Kenda Series field was split into two classes: 660 Radial Warz for the top 10 qualifiers (led by Brett Benz), and 660 Radial Rumble for the rest of the field, headed by the wheelstanding Mercury Comet of Pete Sauer.

Michael Arnold in his turbocharged small-block HG ute was the first Kenda racer to break the four-second barrier for the meeting, cracking off a 4.99@148mph.

The 660 Radial Rumble final saw second top qualifier Garry Hunt in a borrowed XT Falcon up against ninth qualifier Barney Lindner and his supercharged ’68 Camaro. Garry took the win, with a 6.30-second pass to Barney’s 6.50.

The 660 Radial Warz class came down to top qualifier Brett Benz in the Warwick Panel & Paint twin-turbo small-block VL Commodore against the twin-turbo small-block-powered Bluebird of ninth qualifier Matt McCarthy. This was an awesome race, with Matt running a 4.97 but outrun by Brett who clocked a blistering 4.79@155mph, both these cars getting it done on 275s.

It wasn’t all about the Kenda boys though; the CQDRA Championship round was also hotly contested, with Brett Kelly taking the win over Craig McVie in Super Street, both piloting XB Falcons, and Laurie Bonato’s Clevo-powered XE Falcon ute defeating Shane Stefaniuk’s Mk1 Cortina in the Unlimited bracket.

The Kenda 660 crew would like to thank to their great sponsors Kenda Tires, All Over Plant Hire, Simon O’Carroll Pools, Powercruise, Hitech Oils & Batteries, Benaraby Dragway, and all the Kenda 660 racers and supporters.

The next stop of the Kenda 660 Series is Willowbank Raceway on 29 June, before the final on 21 September.