Damien Harris Is on the cusp of claiming his first Aussie Top Fuel title since 2015 at the final round of the 2022-2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel championship at Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, June 16-17.

Harris holds a comfortable 65 point lead over two-time champ Peter Xiberras and veteran Phil Read, tied in second place.

Western Australian Harris’s earlier title came under the ANDRA banner when he defeated teammate Wayne Newby and Carrot farmer Phil Lamattina. NHRA star Cory McClenathan racing with RAI, finished fifth. The 2015 season also saw the debut of Peter Xiberras in the elite category.

Harris has been the pacesetter all season, beginning with back-to-back wins in the first two rounds and a slew of solid performances. However, the team uncharacteristically stumbled at the penultimate round at Sydney Dragway last month when they finished at the bottom of the points. 

“We're looking to rebound from Sydney,” said Harris. “I am feeling confident. The guys and girls at Rapisarda Autosport International have been working overtime to prep the car for Darwin. We started the season with a win at my hometown in Perth, and victory this weekend would be the ideal way to close the season. Winning the championship would be a great way to reward and thank Santo and the Rapisarda family for all they have done for the sport for so many years."

The Hidden Valley meeting is unique on the Aussie drag racing calendar. The two-day event is held alongside round five of the Australian Supercar championship. Supercars race during the day and then at twilight Top Fuel become the feature attraction.

 Two-time Top fuel champ Peter Xiberras will have his hands full. Xiberras is also owner of a two-car Supercar team.” I’ll certainly be busy over the weekend, keeping an eye on the the Supercar team, then going across the track to race the fuel car.” Said Xiberras. “With a third championship on the line and 65 points between the top three, there’s a lot to play for in Darwin.

“We will need to have luck on our side, but this is drag racing, and absolutely anything can happen – we have seen that time and time again. We won’t be giving up and will be fighting right until the end – you can count on that.” 

Second-generation racer Phil Read’s previous title came in 2008. 

“We are definitely feeling confident that we can win,” Read said.” We will need the cards to fall in our favor, which would mean Damien not going so well, which of course, you don't want to wish on anyone. And then you also have to factor in 'the Champ' factor, with reigning champ Pete tied with us on the points standings. 

Harris’s teammate Wayne Newby sits in the fourth spot and is chasing his first win of the season.

“RAI has won three of the five rounds this season,” explained Newby. “I think it's about time I joined Damien and Larry Dixon in the winner’s circle. We have a fast car and need an ounce of luck. A perfect weekend in Darwin would see ‘Damo’ and Santo Junior win the championship, and on the other side of the garage, Santino Rapisarda, his crew and myself win the meeting. That would be an excellent result for Santo and the Rapisarda family.”

Team owner-driver Phil Lamattina and teammate Shane Olive hope to end their season on a high note claiming their first win of the year.

“At the previous round in Sydney, we found some things with the car that we know we can take to Hidden Valley and take another step forward.” According to Lamattina. “The track is one we have done well on and we love the people and the event. We just want to put on the best show possible and hopefully that is good enough for a round win.”