Ben did not compete in last year's inaugural Perth round after a serious workshop accident left him out of action for a large portion of the season.

With the track being close to the water and subjected to the prevailing "Fremantle Doctor," air quality and racing conditions are always unpredictable. But being at the beginning of summer, hot days will probably be the norm. Some big numbers were run at last year's event, but the weather will definitely have the final say.

Many teams are testing in Perth on the days leading up to the event, so it will be tough just to make the field. With bonus points awarded for wins in the west, everyone will be on their games. At the last couple of events Team Bray had the Funny Car and two Top Doorslammer cars in action, so it will be a welcome relief for everyone to go back to just one car.

"We are going to take a bit of a conservative approach at the Motorplex," Bray said. "We got a bit burnt at the Nationals with some unexpected parts failures. Weather conditions have thrown us a bit of a curve ball in the past when we have raced here with the doorslammers, and we did not do as well as we would have liked.

"I'm fortunate that mum and dad have given me the fastest Funny Car in the country, having ran 5.57, 5.56, and 5.52 to reset the national record at the end of the 2006 season," Bray said. "It will be fingers crossed that a repeat performance comes our way, but the odds are certainly against us."

The real problems in Perth will be the other teams that will be giving their all to make the final and bank some of those bonus points. With Ben in sixth place in the points chase it will be an important day at the races for the team.
Round 3 of the Australian Top Alcohol and Pro Stock Motorcycle championship series will be run over 2 days commencing this Friday November 16 and Saturday November 17.