by John Doig, Australian Correspondent
Rapisarda Autosport International’s Wayne Newby captured his third Australian Top Fuel championship at the final round of the 2024-2025 NDRC season at Sydney Dragway on November 8.
Newby outpaced teammate Shane Olive in the A-Final, delivering the event’s quickest and fastest run at 3.81 seconds, 325 mph.
“I’m happy for Santo, Santino, all the crew guys and girls,” said Newby. “I’m just the lucky guy who gets to drive it. Winning the Stan Sainty Cup is what I wanted. I grew up with Stan as a kid and the Sainty family; it’s close to my heart. I also want to thank all the spectators. It has been a hot day and you made the event what it was.”
While Newby secured his crown in Top Fuel, Aeroflow Funny Car driver Morice McMillin had already clinched his second championship at the previous round. He may have finished winless in Sydney, but his protégés — Josh Leahy and Damon Paton — emerged as the new stars of Australian Nitro competition.
Leahy, 32, scored his second win of the season by defeating Paton in the A-Final. The 28-year-old self-employed diesel engineer had shocked the paddock earlier in the day by qualifying No. 1 in only his fourth start in the elite class.
“I’m so proud of my team to get the championship and super proud of Damon and Josh,” said McMillin. “They both deserved to be in that final. Where Josh has grown from the start of the season to the way he is driving now is great, and the advances Damon has made with his few meetings are great too.”
TOP FUEL QUALIFYING
With track temperatures near 125°F, the championship battle came down to one qualifying session and three rounds of racing. Series leader Newby and reigning champion Damien Harris met in the opening pairing, both smoking the tires — but Newby earned the advantage.
Veteran Phil Read returned after a $120,000 rebuild from his previous crash, shutting off early against Steve “The Pom” Read, who made his first appearance since 2015.
“Making it to this weekend was a mammoth job,” said tuner Bruce Read. “We had to replace the driver’s seat and belts, all the electronics and computer systems, belly pans, and rear tires — just to name a few parts. A total rebuild.”
Shane Olive, making his first start of the season for RAI, got out of shape early, while Phil Lamattina spun the tires on his run.
In Round 1, Olive led from the green to outpace Steve Read with the quickest pass of the round at 3.90, 312 mph. Lamattina’s .046 holeshot wasn’t enough to hold off Newby, who recovered from a dropped cylinder to take the win. Harris smoked the tires but limped to a 5.51, 143 mph against Phil Read’s aborted run.
Round 2 saw Harris keep his slim title hopes alive with a comeback win over Lamattina, who left first with a .058 reaction time. Olive advanced to the A-Final by defeating Phil Read from start to finish.
All eyes were on the pivotal clash between Newby and Steve Read, with Newby needing the win to clinch his third title. The underdog Brit held strong until a burst panel failed, handing Newby the round with a 3.82, 324 mph.
The A-Final showdown between Newby and Olive produced the best side-by-side race of the day. Newby launched hard and never trailed, taking the victory with 3.81, 325 mph to Olive’s 3.88, 276 mph.
The B-Final turned into one of the weekend’s most entertaining duels. Steve Read overcame a .233 light to defeat Harris as both cars fought for traction.
Phil Read earned his first win of the day in the C-Final by outrunning Lamattina, who once again proved his lightning reflexes with a .016 start.
NITRO FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING
Damon Paton delivered one of the day’s biggest surprises, upstaging McMillin to qualify No. 1 with a 4.34, 228 mph even after lifting past half track. Leahy followed closely with a 5.25, 141 mph, edging reigning champion Justin Walshe by inches to the 60-foot mark.
Leahy carried his momentum into Round 1, flirting with the centerline to defeat Walshe, who smoked the tires at 330 feet. Paton maintained his perfect day by converting a .061 holeshot into a convincing win over McMillin.
In Round 2, McMillin’s struggles continued as Leahy cut a stellar .007 light and never looked back, advancing to the A-Final. Walshe led Paton early but dropped a cylinder and threw a belt, allowing Paton to sneak by despite a close call with the wall at the finish.
The B-Final brought McMillin and Walshe together again, ending in anticlimax when Walshe brushed the wall and was disqualified.
The A-Final between Leahy and Paton was all Leahy from start to finish. He jumped to an early lead and never trailed as Paton lost traction.
“This is just unreal,” said Leahy. “It doesn’t get any better. It hasn’t been an easy day, but the win is icing on the cake. Thanks to all the fans who stayed out to watch us tonight. You’re what keep us coming back. We really appreciate it.”
“I know my grandfather Roly Leahy is always with me,” he added. “I have his race number on the side of the car and it’s special that the whole deal is about family.”
