2006/2007 News Archive
19/12/06
O’Rourke Motorsport Group 1 Ambitions Put On Hold
“After nearly 10 years, we can no longer justify the long unpaid hours, effort and cost to run the Doorslammer nationally. We are financially, physically and mentally over it” said O’Rourke. “And until there is clear national direction, leadership and a fair and equitable application of the governing rules across the board, we will not pump any more time, effort or money to compete in any Group 1 race events”. Damien also feels the same in that he has no inclination to continue this year’s Top Alcohol campaign either. “The cost to me personally this year has been enormous and I cannot rationalise spending more for all the same reasons. I will definitely drive a Funny Car again but I have no clear plan on when or where” said Harris.
25/11/06
Gremlins plague O'Rourke Motorsport Funny Cars
Preparation for the first Top Alcohol Championships in Perth saw an enormous effort by the team to coordinate the presence of all three Group 1 racecars and over 40 corporate guests. Unfortunately the Perth fans were disappointed as Damien suffered gearbox problems and as a result did not qualify and Grant, after successfully qualifying in 7th position, a great result for his first TA outing, was unable to take the car into full stage in Round 1 when the car dropped oil pressure.
"It was a challenging format to run in just one day. A couple of track cleanups meant that we were constantly against the clock to prepare the racecars for the next qualifier." said O'Rourke. Unfortunately for Harris, his first qualifying opportunity was gone when an issue with the new carbon fibre composite body meant the crew was unable to secure it to the chassis after firing the engine. "Whilst the car was fired we hadn't gone through the tunnel so we were disappointed at not being allowed to run at the end of the field, especially with the tight turnarounds". In the two subsequent qualifiers, Harris suffered gearbox problems. "We tried to fix the problem but it was still there when we ran the last qualifier so the outcome was that we didn't make it into the field". It is disheartening that we were unable to perform, as I know we can, in front of a home crowd”.
O’Rourke Motorsport is concentrating on the return of the Top Doorslammers on the 1st & 2nd December. “Again the team is expecting over 60 corporate guests and with almost all teams from the east coast confirmed to attend it will be a fantastic event” said Debbie O’Rourke. As an added bonus, the Funny Car will be on hand to gain some valuable experience going into the next Top Alcohol event in Sydney on Boxing Day. "We can't head to Sydney and Brisbane in early January without fixing our current gearbox problem. My crew chief Paul Shakleton has a pretty good idea what's wrong so all going well, we'll come out and run in Top Comp. This adds additional value for our clients, as now they'll have two cars to back throughout the event.”
17/11/06
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The new website has been launched just in time for the Top Alcohol Championship Round 3 in Perth which sees all three of O’Rourke Motorsport’s Group 1 racecars at the track. Both Top Alcohol Funny Cars will be competing in Top Alcohol and the 68 HK Monaro will be put through its paces prior to the Top Doorslammer Championship Round 3, again in Perth, on 1st and 2nd December 2006. 23/10/06
O’Rourke Runs 5.89 in O’Rourke Motorsport Built Top Alcohol Funny Car
Top Doorslammer driver Grant O’Rourke slipped quietly into an O’Rourke Motorsport designed and built Top Alcohol Funny Car at the weekend. His first ever pass in a centre-steered racecar saw him run an awesome, straight 5.89 seconds at 247 mph after breaking a rocker at about 1000 ft. “The whole driving experience is different, the lack of direct vision is challenging and the speed at which the car gets off the line is tremendous. We have been building this racecar for some time now, but in the last month the team has been working on it full time to get it to the track. Our intention is to offer a locally built and proven product to the drag racing industry”.
Current championship contender and O’Rourke team-mate, Damien Harris, conducted two initial shakedown passes during the day running a 6.34 half track pass and 5.95 respectively. “As a consistent competitor in TA, my job was to put the racecar through its paces before passing it over to Grant to get his TA licence. We have an O’Rourke Motorsport built carbon fibre body in the paint shop right now that will replace the one my car has been sporting. The current body will finish off the new O’Rourke Motorsport funny car that Grant will pilot at the first ever Top Alcohol round in Perth on the 18th November in addition to my newly painted Camaro 2000 Funny Car”.
23/09/06
West Australian Damien “Who” Harris in First Final
After two national events in Sydney and Brisbane, Damien Harris, in his O’Rourke Motorsport Top Alcohol Funny Car, is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Once known as “Who” Harris, his competitors definitely know “who” he is now! As well as finishing runner-up at the Nationals in Brisbane, he is currently the quickest and fastest Top Alcohol car this season which has earned him additional championship points, putting him 20 points behind leader, Wayne Newby from NSW. “I’m absolutely rapped with our performance this year so far, we really want to put an effort in and intend to compete at all Top Alcohol events this season”, said Harris. Damien explained, “it was unfortunate in Sydney that although we top qualified, we spun a bearing, putting rods out of the engine and caused a minor fire. We changed the motor for eliminations but the fire burnt the air lines. I am looking forward to the first ever Top Alcohol Championship event in Perth on 18th November in front of the home crowd”.
In the meantime Damien will be testing the first O’Rourke Motorsport designed and built Funny Car at the first meeting in Perth on October 21st, where he hopes to put it through its paces and run a five second pass.
Damien’s team-mate, Grant O’Rourke in his Top Doorslammer HK Monaro has had a mixed season so far. After making some major changes in the ‘off’ season to the electronic set up of the car, the team suffered some mechanical set backs, only running on seven cylinders at both meetings. “We only ran on all eight cylinders once in both meetings, and that was when we ran 6.15 seconds elapsed time in Round 1 of AC Delco Nationals in Sydney” said O’Rourke. O’Rourke then suffered a major explosion and fire engulfed the Monaro for most of the 1320 feet of drag strip. The team (with the help of numerous others) replaced everything from the firewall forward in time for the Nationals in Brisbane where O’Rourke narrowly missed the cut. “We are still chasing a problem with keeping all cylinders alive during the entire run, I am confident that we have worked it out for the next Top Doorslammer meeting in Perth on 1st and 2nd December”.
12/06/06
2006 Winternationals
A rain interrupted qualifying session resulted in disappointment for the O'Rourke Motorsport team with the Doorslammer failing to qualify and the Funny Car just making the field in eight spot. This saw driver Damien once again pitted against Top Qualifier Ben Bray. Despite running the second best time of the round and a personal best the Funny lost to Ben ending the teams Winternational event.
10/02/06
Summernationals Western Sydney International dragway
Both O'Rourke Motorsport's Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol Funny Car ventured to Sydney over the weekend for the 2006 Summernationals. Grant was unable to qualify in what was considered a very tough Top Doorlsammer field. The Funny car qualified but only just in eight spot which pitted him against top qualifier Ben Bray in the first round.
19/11/05
Top Fuel Challenge
O'Rourke Motorsport chose the Top Fuel Challenge to be the first meeting to run both their group one cars in front of the Perth fans. An event filled meeting saw the Top Alcohol Funny Car run a track PB of 5.80sec @ 246.57 mph at the same time completely destroying the engine. After thrashing to change engines the team made it to the 6pm compulsory qualifier with seconds to spare and without firing the new engine. A minimal burnout and launch at least saw them qualify for the 8pm run. The Doorlsammer went out at 4pm, shaking on the gear change and stepping out, with O'Rourke aborting the run at 300 foot mark. At 6pm a similar pass saw the car shake on the gear change but not as violently as the first pass. The result was a 7.097sec @ 218.44 mph. The 8pm pass saw the Funny Car up against Zappia. A mediocre reaction time by Harris and softer index for the Doorslammer saw Zap win the run, however the team were happy with the 5.958 @ 242mph given the lack of baseline information for the new engine. The Doorslammer was up against Nowak but ended up running a solo when he couldn't fire. A good reaction time saw O'Rourke smooth to the 100ft mark, but as he punched second gear the lockup clutch started to do its job and the car tried to drive over itself. After a pedal the revs pulled the engine down leaning the fuel system out and resulting in the super charger dislodging from the engine. Back in the pits after a hectic hour checking bearings and replacing the broken super charger studs and gasket the team found a problem with the clutch which, due to the time, meant they could not front for the B final.
7/11/05
2005 Nationals Update
After a rain interrupted 2 days of qualifying the Top Alcohol car was in seventh place while the Doorslammer failed to qualify. Unfortunately the event was cancelled before any racing took place on competition day.
10/10/2005
Preparation for Season Opening
In preparation for the 2005 / 2006 season the team took to the track over the weekend for a day of testing new fuel and clutch system. A broken lash cap during the first fire up delayed the first pass but the run went extremely well when the car got to the track. “This was a real test for the 68 Monaro and the whole crew was feeling it” said Debbie O’Rourke. The car left the line solidly but started to quiver at the 60ft mark turning to shake pretty quickly. O’Rourke shut the car off 1.50 seconds into the run. “That felt good” said Grant O’Rourke on returning to the pits, although the video footage clearly showed the shake. The second pass improved on the first with less shake although Grant still shut it off about 1.33secs into the run. Unfortunately rain ended the day prematurely; the team was disappointed to have only got in two runs, but are confident that good data with the new system was successfully achieved.. The team is now looking toward the opening meeting on the 22 October where they will be part of the feature Top Doorslammer shoot out between, O’Rourke, Robin Judd, Peter Hamilton and John Zappia, where no doubt all eyes will be on Zap after running the first legal 5 second Sedan pass in the world.
15/08/2005
Plans Set for the 05/06 Season
O’Rourke Motorsport have confirmed they will launch their first O’Rourke Motorsport built Top Alcohol specified Funny Car during the 05/06 season. Debbie O’Rourke will eventually drive the car which sees her return to the track for the first time since 2003. In addition the team’s two Group 1 cars will run a selected number of events over the season in an effort to test, research and achieve strong consistent performances for a serious attack on the both 2006 / 2007 Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer championships.
20/06/2005
SUCCESS AT THE 2005 WINTERNATIONALS
After spending the first half of 2005 upgrading their Group 1 race cars the team ventured to the track for the first time at the Winternationals in Queensland. Running their fully imported U.S.A built turnkey Top Alcohol Funny Car package and significantly remodelled Monaro Top Doorslammer chassis for the first time of the year tension was high. The team arrived in Queensland one week before the event for some testing and importantly to get licensed. “We took a significant risk” said Debbie O’Rourke. “Travelling all the way without either car being licensed could have been disastrous”. But the investment in upgrading their machines and risk paid off with both cars successfully licensing and achieving outstanding performances. Both race cars fought their way through to the semi finals in front of 45,000 spectators at one of the fastest and most competitive qualifying events ever for both Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol. Grant in the Top Doorslammer achieved a best time of 6.14 sec @ 231mph with the Damien in the Funny Car top qualifying with a personal best time of 5.72 @ 247mph. His also achieved a mph PD at 253 mph.
29/11/2004
O'Rourke Motorsport Plan Comeback to Top Doorslammer
O'Rourke Motorsport is planning their comeback to Top Doorslammer following an accident at Western Australia's Quit Motorplex on November 20.
The team, famous for their 3000hp 1968 HK Monaro Top Doorslammer, will stay in the category but are considering their options on what form this will take.
Driver Grant O'Rourke said the team will withdraw from the rest of the season as the comeback is planned.
"It's disappointing to have to bow out of the series for this season. Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forward and we are confident that we'll be back with a better package."
"We are going to run the rest of the season in WA with a package specifically developed for the Supercharged Outlaw bracket where we know that the car is competitive" said O'Rourke, speaking about the popular new category of racing being offered at the Quit Motorplex this season.
"We're definitely going to stay in Top Doorslammer, the racing is really hot right now and it is the most marketable category in drag racing at the moment. I can't wait to be back out there with the new package. We know the team is competitive, next season we'll be out to prove that."
The team will make an announcement about their comeback early in the new year.
23/11/2004
Harris Hits WA's First Top Alcohol Funny Car Five
Damien Harris ran Western Australia's first ever Top Alcohol Funny Car five second pass at Quit Motorplex's national open event during the weekend.
Harris recorded the historic figure of 5.98 seconds at his best ever speed of 391kph (243mph) in the supercharged O'Rourke Motorsport Pontiac Firebird.
Harris said the new mark for Western Australia was very special to him.
"It was great to finally run a five in WA," said Harris after the event, "We've been chasing it for a while now and it was great to show our hometown fans what we've been learning."
It was Harris' first event in WA since March with the O'Rourke Motorsport team chasing the Top Alcohol national series.
The 5.98 second time was just short of Harris' best ever, a 5.90 second run at Willowbank Raceway in Queensland in June.
6/10/2004
O'ROURKE MOTORSPORT DOORSLAMMER TO BE BACK FOR DECEMBER
O'Rourke Motorsport will return to Top Doorslammer competition at Quit Motorplex, Kwinana Beach, in December for round three of the championship after a terrifying accident at the ACDelco East Coast Nationals last weekend in Sydney.
The car involved in the accident will still await repair but in the mean time the team's second car will be completed and ready to race, a remarkable achievement with only one round of the championship to be missed.
The second car was involved in a crash in February at the Sydney track, ironically on the team's last run there, and was being readied for Supercharged Outlaws duties in Western Australia.
Driver Grant O'Rourke, who suffered bruising and a minor concussion in the Sydney incident last weekend, says the team will be pulling out all stops to have the car ready to continue in the championship and to keep up the profile the team built at the East Coast Nationals.
"We will have the car performance tested and ready to go," said O'Rourke, "The crew is putting in a massive effort so that the team can keep up client services and maintain our profile in Top Doorslammer."
Performance testing will take place before the December 3/4 round to ensure that a completely safe and quick vehicle will be competing.
The O'Rourke Motorsport Funny Car meanwhile is in Brisbane awaiting the second round of the Top Alcohol championship at the Australian Nationals at Willowbank Raceway.
1/10/2004
TOUGH NIGHT FOR O'ROURKE MOTORSPORT
O'Rourke Motorsport experienced one of their toughest nights ever during qualifying rounds of the ACDelco East Coast Nationals at Western Sydney International Dragway last weekend with Grant O'Rourke crashing violently in Top Doorslammer's first session and Damien Harris damaging his engine in the second session of Top Alcohol.
O'Rourke was sent to hospital for checks but was later released with bruising and a minor concussion. It was a heart breaking series of events for the O'Rourke team who launched their national two-car operation at a media function on Friday.
The 1968 HK Monaro Top Doorslammer was damaged severely in the accident after it spun the tyres and hooked left, hitting the opposite wall.
O'Rourke says he can't remember anything of the accident after being knocked unconscious.
"All I remember is seeing the shift light for second gear," said O'Rourke, "Then the next thing I remember is Brett Stevens over me while I was on the stretcher."
The accident happened on the first race for O'Rourke in Sydney since another crash in February.
Harris qualified seventh despite the damage to his motor but with too much to repair the team decided to pull out, allowing fellow West Australian Mark Sheehan to enter the field.
Harris was really pleased to qualify in the tough Top Alcohol field.
"There was some quality racing and it was a great achievement to qualify number seven," said Harris, "We could have run the engine to the line and staged for the prize money but that would have been bad for the crowd and the fellow racers."
The next event for O'Rourke Motorsport will be the Australian Nationals at Willowbank Raceway.
15/9/2004
GEORGE NEGUS SEGMENT GOES TO AIR
The 'on the road' themed George Negus Tonight went to air last night on the ABC. For a transcript of the show go to http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1199532.htm
30/8/2004
O'ROURKE MOTORSPORT TAKES ON TOP ALCOHOL
Grant and Debbie O'Rourke have added a Top Alcohol Funny Car to their Top Doorslammer and Supercharged Outlaws Monaros in a strategic move to offer clients a bigger presence on the track and an enhanced profile in the media.
O'Rourke Motorsport have invested heavily to develop strategies to add value for their clients and provide corporate Australia with alternative promotional and marketing opportunities.
Damien Harris, looking to step up to Top Alcohol Funny Car, found the ideal fit with O'Rourke Motorsport.
Harris brings to the team three seasons' experience of running the Pontiac Firebird Funny Car in regular competition and will now make the step up to national Top Alcohol competition.
Harris is currently Australia's third quickest Top Alcohol Funny Car driver and is looking forward to being part of O'Rourke Motorsport.
The move will see him team up with Top Doorslammer racer Grant O'Rourke and Supercharged Outlaw racer Debbie O'Rourke.
"We're proud to be part of O'Rourke Motorsport," said Harris, "We will benefit from the combined resources of both teams and will be challengers for the championship."
Grant O'Rourke is excited to have Harris on the team.
"The team will be a much bigger force," said O'Rourke, "The two Group One cars will give the team a massive presence on track and with the fans.
"Both cars have the performance to be winners. The team will be the surprise package in both Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol."
O'Rourke Motorsport's first appearance of the season will be at the ACDelco East Coast Nationals in Sydney, where all national championship divisions will kick off for the season.
20/8/2004
O'ROURKE MOTORSPORT TO APPEAR ON GEORGE NEGUS
The O'Rourke family and their 1968 HK Monaro Top Doorslammer will be appearing on ABC TV's George Negus Tonight program at 6:30pm on September 14.
With filming done at a recent Quit Motorplex Sunday street event the program will centre on an on-the-road theme and focuses on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The camera crew arrived early in the morning and filmed the race team loading the trailer and conducted interviews both at home base and at the track.
Perth radio identity Tod Johnston was the presenter for the segment and was impressed with the professionalism of the team and the precision involved in the sport.
Driver Grant O'Rourke said that the film crew was in awe of drag racing.
"They loved the run we did," said O'Rourke, "It takes drag racing to the wider community and shows the human and family focus. It's really showing drag racing in a great light to both the public and corporate Australia."
The program will air on September 14 at 6:30pm.
O'Rourke Motorsport's first appearance of the season will be at round one of all national series, the ACDelco East Coast Nationals in Sydney, where all national championship divisions will kick off for the season