TYLER SHACKLETON TO MAKE DEBUT AT THE PRO ALCOHOL NATIONALS
Keep an eye out for the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series debut of a second-generation racer in Supercharged Outlaws, carrying a name and a car, steeped in Pro Alcohol history that fans will instantly recognise.
Tyler Shackleton, the son for former Pro Alcohol racer Paul Shackleton will make his NDRC Aeroflow Sportman Series competition debut at the Pro Alcohol Nationals in a dragster that is as unique as it is wild – the distinctive ex-Russell Mills ‘Funster’.
Tyler, a 21-year-old Draftsman from Mackay, had drag racing in his blood as you would expect, and after the progression through racing Junior Dragsters, it was only natural he would follow in his father’s footsteps and jump into blown alcohol racing.
“I started driving Junior Dragsters when I was 10 years old, and I raced it all up until I turned 17,” started Tyler.
“I mainly raced locally since we didn’t want to travel much with it. The reason why I wanted to race is that my dad used to race Top Alcohol in the late 90s early 2000s, and although he stepped away from driving when I was really young, he still took us out to Palmyra and unfortunately for him, I caught the drag racing bug and naturally when I was old enough we got a Junior Dragster.”
Tyler won the 2016 local Palmyra Track Championship, stating as his biggest achievement in racing aside from just getting the new dragster out on track.
“We had a rough year last year where I nearly thought that this would never happen,” recalled Tyler.
“We had got the car Australia Day weekend and began working on it as soon as we got back. We spent about 3 months in which we completely stripped the car to just a bare frame and re-assembled it from scratch, assembling the engine ourselves, wired the car ourselves, and had it running exactly 3 months after we got it.
“The whole car of it was rebuilt by only Dad, my brother Cory, and I. We were planning to start licencing around July last year however in June, Dad had a nasty accident that left him in hospital for a month. Although he was getting better day by day, it still felt like it would be ages before we would run again. That all changed after we attended a race at Palmyra in September to which he was sick of spectating and wanted to get the car out, and about 4 to5 weeks later we were at Willowbank licencing.”
When Russell Mills debuted the dragster in Pro Alcohol – dubbed the ‘Funster’ with its design a combination of a funny car and dragster chassis – it set tongues wagging world-wide. It was this uniqueness that attracted Tyler while staying true to the families blown alcohol roots.
“It is something different than a funny car or rear engined dragster, it was also a proven car that had gone 5.52, and we know Richard Botica who fabricated the car, and we know that there would be nothing wrong with the car,” said Tyler.
“The car is the original Russell Mills Funster. It is currently powered by a 500ci Noonan Hemi. The car is built for Pro Alcohol Dragster rules. We have chosen to run in Supercharged Outlaws at this event as I’m still new to this car and we are just needing experience both driver and Dad tuning an alcohol car again.
“So far with this car we have only tested it at two QDRC meetings. The car has performed well mechanically, no major issues with it running and everything was working correctly which was a win for us. The biggest problem so far was the heat when we were running. After my first run ever in a test session in this car I nearly passed out, it was about 40 degrees and I had been strapped in the car in the sun for 15 minutes, definitely something I won’t forget.
Tyler’s passion for drag racing has been shaped by influences both on and off the track.
“Mainly the competitive and mechanical side, when building this car, I have learnt a lot of the mechanical side of things with the car. When I was running Juniors, I used to race people as hard as I could, and it felt good when seeing the win light come up in your lane, and to go out there and try to beat the best,” said Tyler.
“As far as anyone besides Dad, it’d be easy to say names like Don Garlits or Don Prudhomme, but I’d have to say Dale Armstrong as who I look up too, he was a hell of a driver and an even better mechanic and innovator. As far as driving, I always go to Dad for advice as he has been there and done that, so the transition from going from four years out of a Junior Dragster to basically a Pro Alcohol dragster has been a lot easier.”
Keen to start adult his racing career in the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series, there is also a bigger goal down track.
“I think the Aeroflow Sportsman Series is a great addition for the sportsman racers in the NDRC. So, it is good that they are getting a spotlight as they are the backbone of the sport,” said Tyler.
“For now, we are only running Outlaws, just getting more experience at the wheel for now, but the plan is to race Pro Alcohol at the Winternationals, if not sooner, all depends on when we feel we can run with the guys in Alcohol.
“Just would like to say thanks to – Mum and Dad, my brother Cory, Russell Mills, John & Josie Zahra – Filta Wash, Richard Botica – Botica Chassis, Darren Carter – CRD Engineering, Peter Ford – Full Lock Auto, for all helping me get onto the track.
Photos courtesy of Drag Photos
