by John Doig, Australian Correspondent
The NDRC has announced an expanded 10-round season for 2026, which will introduce a calendar year format running from January to October, replacing the traditional season from October to June for the first time in Australian drag racing.
Top Fuel and Doorslammer have seven rounds, while Nitro Funny Car will race six times.
All three categories will appear on the same program on five occasions, beginning with the Riverbend Nationals on 28-29 March, followed by The Nitro Champs on May 1- 3, the Winternationals on June 4-7, East Coast Nationals on September 26-27 and finishing with the Grand Final Spring Nationals on October 22-25.
The 2026 season begins with the Pro Alcohol Nationals at Willowbank Raceway on January 24-25, followed by a “Mystery Round” at a date and venue to be confirmed.
Delays to the resurfacing of the Perth Motorplex will result in the Westernationals, traditionally held in March, not appearing on the 2026 calendar.
“We’re not going to rush a decision on the Mystery Round,” said NDRC promoter Andy Lopez. “If we can get the outcome we want, it will be worth the wait. In that, we’ve chosen to release the rest of the calendar now so that racers and fans can start planning Season Three. No matter what, the Mystery Round will not mean any changes to dates already announced. If we can’t get the outcome we want for the Mystery Round, the first event at Willowbank will include added categories.”
The Professional Drag Racing Championship, introduced as a stand-alone series this season to cater to Pro Alcohol, Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike, will not happen in 2026. Instead, the categories will race as part of the NDRC series .
Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Top Fuel Bike and Pro Bike all have stand-alone events, as well as appearing on marque events, including the Nitro Champs, Winternationals, East Coast Nationals and the Grand Final meeting.
The Bend and Willowbank Raceway will have three meetings apiece and Sydney Dragway will host two rounds of the championship.
Top Fuel and Doorslammer return to Hidden Valley in Darwin for the first time since 2023.
2026 CALENDAR – EVENT-BY-EVENT
January 24-25 – Pro Alcohol Nationals, Willowbank Raceway
Season Three launches with the Pro Alcohol Nationals on the Australia Day long weekend.
Mystery Round
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, and Sportsman.
March 28-29 – Riverbend Nationals, Dragway at The Bend
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol and Sportsman.
May 1-3 – Nitro Champs, Sydney Dragway
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike and Sportsman.
June 4-7 – Winternationals, Willowbank Raceway
Australia’s largest drag racing event will feature Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike and Sportsman.
August 14-15 – Nitro Up North, Hidden Valley, Darwin
Top Fuel combines with Top Doorslammer and Sportsman.
September 12 – Pro Stock Nationals, Willowbank Raceway
Pro Stock and Pro Stock Bike.
September 26-27 – East Coast Nationals, Sydney Dragway
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, and Pro Mod.
October 10 – All Bike Nationals, Dragway at The Bend
Top Fuel Motorcycle and Pro Stock Bike.
October 22-25 – Spring Nationals Grand Final, Dragway at The Bend
Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Bike and Sportsman.
