TOP FUEL TO HEADLINE RETURN TO RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

Fri, 2021-05-07 06:44

 


UPDATE - AUSSIE NITRO THUNDER WASHED OUT ON DAY ONE 

Persistent shows forced organizers to cancel day one of racing at the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway. 

 


TOP FUEL TO HEADLINE RETURN TO RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

After a hiatus of 468 days, the 400 Thunder series returns to Sydney Dragway with the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder meeting on May 7-8. 

Since January 2020, there has been no Pro level racing in Australia due to Coronavirus and numerous State government-imposed border closures and travel restrictions.

Top Fuel has attracted only three entries - three-time champ Phil Read, Carrot king Phil Lamattina, and Sydney team owner-driver Peter Xiberras.  

Missing in action is Australian powerhouse and hometown favorite Rapisarda Autosport international. 

The absence of RAI is a major blow. The team has underpinned the fuel class for more than a decade running three and, at times, four cars. The Sydney-based team last raced in January 2020, fielding four of the six entries lead by reigning 400T champ Wayne Newby, Australian record holder Damien Harris and NHRA drawcards Ashley Sanford and Richie Crampton.

Pro Slammer has attracted six entries headed by points leader Steve Ham. A front runner in Top Alcohol, before graduating to the slammer ranks, Ham will benefit from the absence of his closest rival, John Zappia, who has elected not to make the 4850-mile return journey from Perth, Western Australia, to race in Sydney.

Local racer Mark Hinchelwood looms as the most probable candidate to outshine Ham after posting a career-best of 5.62/252 mph in testing last month. Team owner Maurice Fabietti has also entered a second car to be driven by Sam Fenech, who returns for the first time since a massive crash at the track in January 2019.

Australia's answer to John Force, Victor Bray, and his son Ben are notable absentees from the entry list.

Pro Mod will finally make their debut as a pro level category and has attracted 10 entries. Local racers Jeremy Callaghan, Greg Tsakiridis and Robert Campisi are expected to battle it out for honors with the 63 Corvette of Joe Murina an outside chance. 

Pro Stock will field 11 entries, including series leader Wayne Daley who will debut his recently acquired Dodge Dart, facing off against the powerhouse family of Aaron and Tyrone Tremayne. 

Top Bike returns for the first time since June 2019 with six-time champ Chris Matheson match racing fellow Queenslander John Zahra.

Top Alcohol will feature an intriguing blend of the old guard in the guise of veterans Gary Phillips and Steve Read and rising star Jake Donnelly.

Second-generation racer Ross Lamattina will make his debut in Junior Dragster. 

 

 
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