by John Doig, Australian Correspondent
For the first time since the Winternationals in June 2025 all Group One categories will appear at the same event when the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs are held at Sydney Dragway, May 1-3.
For Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car and Pro Alcohol the meeting marks round three of their championship. Doorslammer and Pro Mod return for their second appearance of the season while Pro Stock makes its 2026 debut.
Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car will be looking for a trouble-free weekend after their first two rounds were affected by rain.
In Top Fuel, the spotlight will be focused on series leader Phil Lamattina who in a highly decorated career that includes two championships and a winner everywhere from the Perth Motorplex to Willowbank Raceway will be chasing his first ever win at Sydney Dragway.
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Redemption is on the agenda for Rapisarda Autosport International teammates Wayne Newby and Damien Harris who will be seeking to rebound from sub-par performances at the previous round where they finished third and fourth.
The team has also recruited Shane Olive to steer their third entry on the weekend.
Olive began the 2026 season with Lamattina Top Fuel Racing in February finishing runner up to team boss Phil Lamattina at the Twilight Nationals then lost his ride when the team reverted to a single entry. Olive returned to the series at Rd 2 as a crew member before being recalled by team owner Santo Rapisarda for this weekend.
“I’m honoured to be invited to drive the third entry for the Rapisarda family,” said Olive. “Whenever you get the chance to race in Top Fuel you jump at the opportunity. There is always pressure to perform, and that is especially so when you have teammates of the calibre of Wayne and ‘Damo’ the reality is that everyone in the field will be tough to beat.”
Queensland veteran Steve Read returns after skipping the last round and Western Australian Kyle Putland runner-up to Lamattina at his last appearance continues his quest to claim his first ever gold Christmas tree.
Third generation racer Josh Leahy sits atop the Funny Car standings with a two-point lead over teammate Morice McMillin thanks to victory in Rd 2 at The Bend in March.
In the mix is rising star Damon Paton the self-employed engineer is only five events into his Nitro career and ran a PB against Adam Murrihy in the B-Final at The Bend.
2023-2024 Funny Car champion Justin Walshe is overdue for a win having last tasted victory back in October 2024.
Pro Stock has attracted a field of 14 headed by reigning champion Rob Dekert from Victoria and Queensland brothers Aaron and Tyronne Tremayne. However, the category has suffered a major blow with the last-minute withdrawal of championship contenders Chris Soldatos and John Barbagello.
There is no form guide because most of the field have not raced since the final round of last season in October 2025 won by Soldatos.
Making their debut in the category is Gina Bullans only the third women to have raced in Aussie Pro Stock.
In Pro Alcohol Daniel Reed will be looking to extend his points lead over nearest rival Cheyne Phillips. The two standouts of this and last season have reignited interest in the category that had slipped off the radar due to low entries.
Reigning Pro Mod champ and winner of the opening round Zoran Gajic will be odds on favourite to extend his winning streak at his home track.
Doorslammer veteran John Zappia leads the field after the opening round of the season following victory over little known Peter Lovering in the A-final.
Expect two-time champ Russell Taylor who finished third in Rd.1 to bounce back as will the husband-and-wife team of Daniel and Lisa Gregorini who are languishing in equal eighth spot in the points. Lisa is looking to snap an eight-round losing streak and Daniel will be chasing his first win since the 2024 Nitro Champs.
Young guns Ronnie Palumbo and Brodie Zappia, who changed teams in the off season, will be contenders after the opening round that netted the pair a fourth and ninth place respectively.
Veteran John Cannuli will have his hands full racing in Pro Alcohol as well as Doorslammer.
