IHRA: Critchley is Superb in Test Session
1 February 1999
DARLINGTON, SC.--- You just have to love those Australians. They normally drive cars with the steering wheel on the right and attack any project with intensity rarely paralleled. Never was this more evident than this afternoon when the Aussie roared to a 6.423/218.99 in a private test session at Darlington International Dragway. For the former Australian National Drag Racing Association sanctioned, Top Doorslammer competitor, earning his spot in the drivers seat has been a dream come true.When asked if this is his "big break", Critchley responded, "Of course it is. When you join a team with an owner that is as dedicated to winning as Johnny Rocca is, it should always be viewed as a positive thing. I dont expect to jump right in and conquer the world, but I do expect to put forth an effort that could win us the championship."
When this 29-year old, Australian native competes at the IHRA Prolong Winter Nationals, he will make his mark in IHRA history as the first native of his homeland to compete in the Pro Modified category. Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Critchley earned his first driving job behind the wheel of a big-block, fuel-injected dragster after a colorful history of fast, street-driven cars. He met up with Australian doorslammer legend Victor Bray and began to learn the ropes under the careful guidance of this multi-time champion. He soon became a driver on the two-car team piloting the number two car, a potent 1956 Hemi-powered Crown Vic complete with a PSI screw-type blower and a passenger seat. He went as quick as a 6.48 at over 218.87 mph. Critchley was appointed as driver on Roccas Prolong Ironhorse team prior to the Snowbird Nationals, last November. He made his boss plenty proud by qualifying number one driving the teams back-up car, a 1933 Willys..
Critchley is currently piloting the Prolong-sponsored, "Tin Indian" 33 Willys until the new 1949 Mercury, simply known as the Ironhorse, is completed. The swoopy, new version is currently under construction at the newly-opened Cannon & Pittman Race Cars in Lyman, SC. The car will be based on the same design as the 1953 Studebaker that veteran Aussie chassis man Murray Anderson prepared for six-time, Pro Modified champion Scotty Cannon