It's WINTERNATIONALS time.... downunder. A year ago today I was sitting in the pits at Willowbank Raceway feeling sorry for myself, with my brand new race car stuck on the wharf at Brisbane. Turn the calendar to this year and I'm sitting here in Canada, feeling sorry for myself again, while the still-new race car sits gathering dust in my shop in Australia.

However, everybody else is having fun down there, with the first day of qualifying completed just hours ago. We've already got the early results posted (and will update them throughout the weekend). The biggest news, so far, besides the incredible air (reported at nearly MINUS 1500 feet two days ago), is the continuing rise of Perth's Robin Judd in the Top Doorslammer wars. His first pass on Friday night: 6.17 at 225 mph. If he can back it up in one of his two remaining qualifiers, he'll have broken his one event old Australian record, and will be the quickest blown alky door car in the world.

Until we get home from work (late) tonight, you can follow the action almost as it happens on the ANDRA Instant Results page. They've even got some pics posted from yesterday's (Friday) action and they have a webcam on the starting line that refreshes every two minutes -- usually about two seconds after the cars have left the line.

Sorry, but that's all we have time to report on today, except to wish our good friends Jim Grant and Jason Howell the best of luck, at Willowbank and Indianapolis, respectively. Also, here's hoping for a good safe race at Alastaro Raceway in Finland this weekend. (The second round of the FIA European Top Fuel and Top Methanol Championships). Next update: Saturday NOON.....ish