NEWS

6.23 ... THE BANDIT IS BACK

April 6, 2002 Kwinana Motorplex, Perth Western Australia

After months of frustration, persistence has finally paid off for Robin Judd's Studebaker Racing Co, and how!

During qualifying for the final race meeting for the season in Perth Judd ran a 6.23 @ 222 mph. This was the first time Judd had pushed the Moonshine Bandit '53 Studebaker into the 20's this season. " We have run a couple of 30's during the season but have struggled this year to get the car to go quick again. It's great to be back." Judd said after the run.

When asked where he thought the team would go now Judd said, "I'm now looking forward to the Winternationals in June. Hopefully we can get back some of the form that made us the quickest car in the country. The air is good at Willowbank that time of year and if the track can hold it, we will run quick numbers. While I've been forced to play catch up a couple of the guys have got away on us and the bar has been raised. That's fine as it makes for a great competition. We want to do well at the Winternationals because it will set us up for the new season so we can hit the ground running."

In June 2000, Judd ran an Australian and world record 6.17. This stood in the country as the quickest run ever until December 2001, when Peter Kapiris eclipsed it with a 6.07. Since that time Kapiris and Australian champion Victor Bray have both recorded 6.10. Judd said, "The 6.07 was a stout pass by Peter and they have that thing really honking. We are still the quickest rootes powered car in the country (Kapiris and Bray both run PSI screw superchargers) and based on our 6.23 run there is a lot more in the car yet. I mean, it was a really soft tune up and the motor wasn't pushed that much. With the changes we've made to the car plus and all the new safety gear, the old girl is more than 100 lbs over weight. That's got to be worth a tenth."

Judd and his team will now prepare for the Winternationals; the final race in the calendar scheduled for June 7,8 & 9.