Second-generation racer Phil Read, chasing his first Australian title since 2008, claimed victory over Rapisarda Autosport International star Wayne Newby in the final of Top Fuel at the opening round of the 2024-2025 NDRC championship on October 20. 

During qualifying, Read set a new Aussie ET record of 3.72. The previous record of 3.73 was set by Damien Harris in April 2024.
Nitro Funny Car sophomore Josh Leahy upstaged privateer Adam Murrihy to win the A-Final showdown.

The all-girl team, headed by Lisa Gregorini, made history when they scored their first-ever Doorslammer win after downing fellow Gen X racer Ronnie Palumbo, who red-lit. 
 

TOP FUEL 
 
With only four starters and two rounds of qualifying, Read edged out his rivals to claim the top qualifier spot. “I knew it was quick from the moment I stood on it. I was planning on only going to half track originally, but I knew it was quick as it was setting me back, so I kept at it,” Read said.
 
RAI star Wayne Newby was second quickest ahead of popular Western Australian underdog Kyle Putland. 
Reigning champ Damien Harris experienced a massive engine detonation explosion in Q1, and despite a herculean effort by the team, they were forced to sit out the final round of qualifying.  

Race day and Read grabbed the honors against Harris in round one, where he experienced his second engine detonation over the weekend. Then, he edged out Putland to advance to the A-Final.

Newby’s passage to the final included driving around Putland in round one, followed by a solo when teammate Harris was a no-show.

The final was an anticlimactic. Read lead all the way to stop the timers at 3.76/319 mph to a slowing Newby with an 8.03, 50 mph.
“That proves the record wasn’t a fluke,” said a jubilant Read. “It felt really good from start to finish, it just took off, and it was flying. A 3.76 is great; we thought it would run at 3.77. Thank you to all of our partners. We couldn’t have done this without you, and also to my crew – they are just the best.”

NITRO FUNNY CAR

Like Top Fuel, Funny Car attracted only four entries. Aeroflow team boss Morice McMillin topped the time sheets after clocking 4.02, 295 mph in Q1 to lead teammate Josh Leahy on 4.13, 268 mph. “In the second qualifier, we were trying really hard to put on a show for the crowd and just over-stepped the mark a little bit,” said McMillin. “We have a new combination in the car, so we are working hard to get that all sorted out.”

Reigning champ Justin Walshe settled into third sport after running 4.73/292 km/h to face off against Leahy in Round one. Battling privateer Adam Murrihy was a no-show for both of his qualifiers.

Leahy opened his race day account on a solo when Walshe bowed out due to an oil leak. Paired to meet again in round two, Leahy drove around Walshe to score a comfortable win with a 4.07 to Walshe on a 4.17.   
Unheralded Murrihy was the surprise packet. After being edged out by McMillin in their first encounter he caused a major upset when he squeezed past ‘Supermac’ to make the A-Final.

Bizarrely, McMillin had the’ chutes out early on both runs.

The Final ended quickly after Leahy drilled Murrihy on the green and cruised to victory with a 4.06,303 mph to Muirrihy with a 5.40, 137 mph.
“That is a PB, and this Rocket Industries Nitro Funny Car is just on rails!” said Leahy. “It is just unreal to even think I am here doing this today. This whole team is just amazing. The whole Aeroflow workshop busts their butts to get us out here, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Walshe lead all the way to win the B-Final with a 4.07, 317 mph to Mcmillin’s   4.16, 242 mph.  

PRO SLAMMER

Category heavyweights, defending champ Russell Taylor and fellow Western Australian Daniel Gregorini traded places in qualifying, with Gregorini coming out on top with a 5.60, 254 mph to Taylors’ 5.66/257 mph. “We have changed rim sizes, so we have finally caught up with the other guys as far as more rubber on the track,” said Gregorini. “We had to save up to put them on both cars; our previous PB was a 5.65.”

11-time champ John Zappia went from 5.72, 250 mph in Q1 to a 5.718, 253 mph on his next and final run to slide into the third spot.

Lisa Gregorini was fourth, with rising star Ronnie Palumbo in seventh place.

Come race day and it was Lisa Gregorini and Palumbo - two of the newest entrants in the elite category - who upstaged the old guard. Gregorini advanced to the A-Final with wins over part timer Andrew Sutton who was pushed off the start line and then grabbing the honors against number eight qualifier Matt Abel. Palumbo was gifted an easier draw comfortably accounting for local pair Adam Tassone and Mick Mahoney.

The eagerly anticipated A-final was a non-event when Palumbo fouled.

“I had no idea he had red-lit until I got out of the car at the end, and Daniel (Gregorini) told me,” said Gregorini. “It has been an epic weekend for us with a lot of problems, including issues yesterday where it shut down in the burnout, and we weren’t sure what the problem was. Thankfully, it didn’t pop its head up again, and we were able to race on.”
Long-time rivals Zappia and Daniel Gregorini battled it out in the B-Final, with the win going to Zappia. 

Earlier, Gregorini had advanced to the final after a round one solo then an easy victory over local Pat Carbone. Zappia opened the day with a win over Mahoney before fouling against Tassone. 

Peter Kapiris, on the comeback trail after breaking a leg in the off-season, qualified 12th and caused a major boilover when he took a holeshot win over Taylor in the C-Final.