by John Doig, Australian Correspondent
Series leader Phil Read, chasing his first title since 2008, will have a target on his back when the 2024-2025 season resumes at Willowbank Raceway after an outstanding performance at the opening round that included setting a new Australian record of 3.72 in qualifying, then blitzing his rivals with three wins on race day. The performance was a long overdue return to form by the second-generation racer who finished a lowly fifth overall last season.
“The win has been 12 months in the making since I went to America, worked over there, and came back with a whole new plan,” according to crew chief Bruce Read.
“To put this in perspective, we ran a 3.72, a 3.79, a 3.83, and a 3.76, all with the same motor in the car all weekend.”
“Compare that to the Winternationals, where we used four motors in four runs and never made it down the track. We couldn’t be happier.”
Rapisarda Autosport International will be seeking amends for a less-than-stellar start to their 2024-2025 campaign.
The team battled mechanical issues and gremlins at the season opener at The Bend in October, with Wayne Newby going down in the final against Read and reigning champ Damien Harris falling to Western Australian privateer Kyle Putland in the B-Final.
“My boys are ready to bounce back at the first event of the year,” said team owner Santo Rapisarda. “We ended 2024 on a low note at The Bend when we damaged some engines and equipment. It has been over a decade since we had such a disappointing weekend of racing. However, that’s in the past and we go into the meeting with confidence. The venue has been a happy hunting ground for the team. The last time we raced there was at the Winternationals in June 2024, when Wayne and Damien faced off in the final. Wayne won the Winternationals and Damien claimed the first-ever NDRC Top Fuel championship.”
Two-time champ owner-driver Peter Xiberras will return to racing for the first time this season. The Supercar team owner missed the season opener to concentrate on his commitment to the V8 series and has been playing catch up to his rivals with several test sessions at the venue. “If how our test days have gone so far is any indication, then we are certainly moving in the right direction,” according to Xiberras.
“We’ve been getting some assistance from Dom Lagana at 142 Speed Shop in Indianapolis and have made some big changes to our setup. We are looking forward to seeing those yield race-winning results this weekend.”
The fifth and sixth entries of 2002 champ ‘Pommie’ Steve Read and local Chris Stipanovich have not raced since the Winternationals in June 2024.
Racing at Willowbank Raceway at the height of the Aussie summer will produce a myriad of challenges for all teams, with temperatures expected to be around the 33-degree mark and humidity near 80 percent.
