Ex-pat New Zealander Morice McMillin will be chasing back-to-back wins when the NDRC Nitro Funny car series makes their maiden appearance at Dragway at The Bend in rural South Australia over January 13-14.

Round three of the series has attracted five entries led by McMillin and series leader Justin Walshe, who defeated NHRA star Tommy Johnson Jr. in round one and then placed second to McMillin in round two at the Motorplex. 

The other three contestants, McMillin’s teammate Brandon Gosbell, Northern Territorian Adam Murrihy, and W.A. veteran Anthony Begley, are all chasing their maiden victory of the season.

Funny Car will race over the quarter mile, unlike Top Fuel, who ran 1000 feet at the opening round of their season at the venue.

“I’ve been to the track but never raced there, and that will pose a few challenges,” according to McMillin. “None of the other teams have raced there either, so we are all in the same boat. The main challenge is having no baseline to begin with.”

“With no data, we’ll probably look at our setup from the last time we raced, which was at the Motorplex in November. So, I reckon you could call the first time we hit the track a non-educated guess. You’ve got to look at the track, trust your gut, and take it from there.”

“The other challenge is our car has only done 13 runs, so there’s not much data to work from. But I’m confident that the team can get the job done.” 

Door Slammer has attracted ten entries headed by rookie sensation and series leader Ricky Palumbo, who stunned his rivals by winning on debut and then finished behind Daniel Gregorini in the B-Final in round two of the championship at the Perth Motorplex. 

At the same meeting, virtually unknown Western Australian Russell Taylor, in only his second-ever slammer meeting, upstaged legendary John Zappia in the A-final. 

Husband and wife Daniel and Lisa Gregorini are chasing their first win of the season. Lisa’s best result was runner-up to Palumbo in the opening round, and Daniel’s best was taking out the B-final against Palumbo in round two.