The 2008 Summernationals at Western Sydney Dragway conducted in front of big crowds over two days has been hailed by many seasoned observers as one of, if not the best event in Australian Drag Racing history.

"I have been racing a while and I would have to say this event is as good as any I have been in or seen before, it might be a while before we see an event like this again - anywhere," remarked Doorslammer runner-up and Championship points leader, John Zappia.

Even at of the time of this writing, the WSID PR and administration have already been besieged by competitors across all categories, spectators and corporate partners from around the country as to the amazing quality of the 2008 Summernationals stanza and interestingly the crowd atmosphere during the event reached new levels of excitement never seen before at the multi-million dollar, world-class purpose built Drag Racing facility nestled in the heartland of Western Sydney.

Even racing outside the usual scope of ANDRA Championship Drag Racing eliminations drew amazing results and responses - with Jack Daniels lady racer Kath Stevens becoming the first lady in the world to go 5-seconds in a doored racing vehicle after cranking an incredible 5.968 during the Top Doorslammer consolation bracket, for those racers in the category who did NOT qualify on race day.

TOP FUEL - Martin Stamatis (WA) d Steve Read (QLD)


The 10 cars in Skips Fire Service set things off with a big Nitro bang with the 5.165 bump spot again establishing the sport's quickest ever Top Fuel field.

Ironically, if Amanda's Shepherd's earlier 4.9 second pass had counted, the event would have seen 15 official passes in the 4-second zone, surely an event record in ANDRA Drag Racing history.

4.6 second passes were produced on four occasions and there were two passes in the 4.5 second zone, with Martin Stamatis taking the ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree trophy after Steve Read was unable to start the final.

Stamatis' 4.806 final run was set to be a new National Record ET run, before tossing a blower belt after half track.

"I dedicate this win to Crew Chief Rob Cavagnino. He and his family have gone through some personal sadness a while ago and I promised myself I would dedicate my first Top Fuel win to him," remarked an emotional Stamatis.

TOP DOORSLAMMER - Maurice Fabietti (NSW) d John Zappia (WA)

Top Doorslammer was always the category everyone was talking about coming into the '08 Summernationals and they delivered from the onset, with the quickest ever field, with the 8 car in qualifying (Maurice Fabietti) running a 6.171.

To add an incredible exclamation point on the Doorslammer action, local racer Deno Brijeski ran a 5.956 to nail top peg after qualifying, and join an elite group of 5-second racers in the world who have busted into the fives.

The top-end Speed was there in sizable amounts too, with the bracket delivering 240+ mph runs on eleven occasions.
Including Kath Stevens' effort in the exhibition, Doorslammer delivered us SIX runs into the groundbreaking five-second zone, including a remarkable run in eliminations by Zappia, running fives all the way through.

However it was the fairytale run by Fabietti from the number 8 qualifying position, who managed to win the ANDRA Gold Trophy after beating rivals running 5-second passes on two occasions, including over Zappia in an epic final and the quickest side-by-side Top Doorslammer race in Australian Drag Racing history!

In fact, if Fabietti had been 0.001 of a second quicker to the finish stripe, it would have delivered the first ever side-by-side 5-second race in Top Doorslammer history in this country.

"For me to steer the Holden Genuine Parts Monaro into the field was like a win for us. To run a 6.000 against Zap's 5.958 and win on a holeshot for the second time in the one event is awesome. I still can't believe it, this has to be a dream. Some racers in the pits have said people will talk about Doorslammer and the general racing here at this event in twenty years from now and for me to win it - unbelievable," shrugged an almost shocked Fabietti on his amazing result.

TOP ALCOHOL - Brett Stevens (QLD) d John Cannuli (QLD)

Wayne Newby whooped the Funny Car drivers in qualifying with the quickest and fastest pass ever produced by a Top Alcohol Dragster with a time of 5.57 seconds at 254mph.

Come race day, Top Alcohol's top-to bottom quality again was clearly apparent as number 8 qualifier John Cannuli made it all the way to finals, including an amazing wheel-stand pedal fest with Aaron Lynch in the semis.

The day belonged to Brett Stevens however, after an epic burn-down with bitter rival Ben Bray, to then blast a 5.556 at a neck-snapping 263.15 miles per hour! Bray prevailed in the final over Cannuli and extend his lead in the ANDRA Top Alcohol Championship.

"I am very proud of my team this weekend, we have had an awesome run. I proved to my team sometimes I make the right tune-ups calls against their thinking, as seen with my '55 run in the Kitten car. As good as all this is, to see my wife Kath run that five in the Doorslammer has to be one of the great moments of my life," said Stevens.

PRO STOCK - Aaron Tremayne (QLD) d Tyronne Tremayne (QLD)

Aaron and Tyronne Tremayne again played havoc with a cracking Pro Stock field, qualifying first and second, with both racers making their way through to the final, where Aaron defeated a red-lighting Tyronne as both ripped passes in the 'teens' in an ominous run.

Once again the Pro Stock bump of a 7.294 ensured it was the quickest ever field in Drag Racing history when qualifying was done and run.

Whilst Aaron took the win, Tyronne set a new National Elapsed time record of 7.125 seconds, in a cracking field of 15 Pro Stock entries.

"Thanks to my parents for supporting our racing and this event was awesome to race in," explained Aaron Tremayne. 

TOP BIKE - Athol Williams (NZ) d Brett Stevens (QLD)

Pole position went to kiwi Athol Williams with a time of 6.562 as both he and local rider Leonard Azzopardi served it up to the established Nitro Harley stars in qualifying.

Williams kept his form intact during race-day battle at the Summernationals, including some fantastic side-by-side 6-second stoushes against Jack Daniels Harley rivals Troy McClean and Brett Stevens in semis and the in the final respectively.

"To win an ANDRA Gold Trophy means so much to me and my team. I have to say thankyou to all the Australian professional teams across all categories and the three major ANDRA Championship tracks we race at. Everyone has been so helpful and encouraging to our efforts here," Williams beamed.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE - Jason Lee (SA) d Michael Gilbertson (QLD)

Top qualifier went to Peter Cochrane with a time of 7.16 seconds in qualifying and bettered that with a 7.132 in the first round, however it was Jason Lee on the Dutch Master Suzuki that took the event win, defeating Michael Gilbertson.

"To run a 7.298 PB in the final is a great way to win this trophy," smiled Lee.

SPORTSMAN

It wasn't just the ANDRA Professional Drag Racing categories turning it on for the large crowds on hand for the Summernationals, as the Sportsman racers went full-tilt in a vital round of the Rocket Allstars Drag Racing Series with many racers setting personal bests and blitzing indexes!

COMPETITION - Phil Otto (QLD) d Ralph Perri (NSW).

COMPETITION BIKE - Geoff Redgrave (QLD) d Blair Pennington (QLD)

SUPER STOCK - Robert Deckert (VIC) d Les Heintz (VIC)

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS - Nathan Peirano (QLD) d Daniel Reed (QLD)

MODIFIED - Simon Barlow (SA) d Brett White (NSW)

MODIFIED BIKE - Malcolm Brooks (QLD) d Danial Huxtable (NSW)

SUPER SEDAN - Jason Haebich (NSW) d Matthew Basanovic (NSW)

SUPER STREET - Jason Haines (NSW) d Joe Zammit (NSW)

JUNIOR DRAGSTER - Chantelle Humphries (NSW) d Kristie Allan (QLD)

SUPER GAS - Darryl Stephen (NSW) d Daniel Fardella (NSW)

DOORSLAMMER CONSOLATION - Sean Mifsud 6.175 (NSW) d Aaron Lynch (QLD)