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National Drag Racing Championship to ignite new era for the sport

Top Fuel drag racing at the Nitro-Champs-2023

By Thomas Miles

Drag Racing is on the verge of a new and unified era thanks to the creation of the National Drag Racing Championship and an “unprecedented” national broadcast deal.

In what promises to be a major breakthrough for the sport, the Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock Bike, Pro Mod, and Sportsman categories will all race under the new national series.

The National Drag Racing Championship will be held over 11 championship events kicking off in October, where either the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship or Nitro Funny Car Championship will take centre stage as Group 1 events.

For more details about the National Drag Racing Championship, a detailed information package is available HERE NDRC_DOWNLOAD

Gosbell Rocket Aeroflow Funny Car drag racing

A major part of the new NDRC will be the Funny Cars.

It promises to provide more nitro racing than ever before with a single Grand Final event for all professional categories to be held at the Willowbank Raceway Winternationals in 2024.

This will bring the Burson Top Fuel Championship and Nitro Funny Cars Championship together in Group 1 competition for the first time.

A new series for Sportsman racers, the National Sportsman Championship Series will operate in Eastern (Qld, NSW, Vic) and Western (WA, SA, NT) Conferences before coming together in a National Grand Final.

The championship will be broadcast nationally by an “unprecedented” partnership to be announced on May 17, while the 11 round calendar will be revealed on May 26 at The Bend, which is believed to be one of the major venues.

National Drag Racing Championship co-promotor Andy Lopez said the new championship offers an exciting platform for the sport to grow.

Andy Lopez

NDRC co promoter Andy Lopez is excited to see where the new series can take the sport.

“The NDRC represents a massive opportunity for the sport to go one way forward,” he said.

“We’ve taken the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship to venues all over Australia, and that’s given us a good chance to listen to what racers and fans want. 

“They want a positive drag racing scene where racers fight for a single national title in their category.”

Lopez also clarified whilst the National Drag Racing Championship offers a “fresh start” all records will remain recognised across the categories.

“The ADRC brand will also be retired, but while the NDRC is a fresh start and a new name, all national records, championships, and trophies will be recognised and celebrated by the new Championship,” he said.

“Records and Championships belong to the racers and are an essential part of the history of drag racing. 

“Whether you’re an ADRC Champion, a 400 Thunder Champion, a Summit Series Champion, or you hold any record or trophy, you will be celebrated and recognised by the National Drag Racing Championship for what you’ve achieved.”

kids at drag racing

The new Championship is designed to grow the fan base.

Despite stating it is time to retire the series, 400 Thunder director Tony Wedlock described the new championship as an “exciting chapter” for the sport.

“The NDRC is the next logical step for drag racing in Australia,” he said. 

“We met with the NDRC team to hear their plans, and the 400 Thunder Board was satisfied that the National Drag Racing Championship is in the best interests of everyone in the sport we all love so much. 

“Given that, it’s time to retire the 400 Thunder Series and we ask all racers to get behind the NDRC and we can’t wait to see this next exciting chapter.”

All 11 rounds of the National Drag Racing Championship will be telecast live and free in Australia as part of an “unprecedented” TV package according to NDRC co-promoter Nathan Prendergast.

Benny Stevens and Top Fuel Motorbike riders will be racing under the new series. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

“Our unprecedented broadcast deal is a massive step forward and will give drag racing the exposure it deserves,” he said. 

“It’s a major achievement for the sport. We all race in the same direction, for the same reasons, and with the introduction of the NDRC, it’s now a reality. 

“I look forward to the announcement on May 17 and bringing Group 1 and Sportsman racing to a worldwide TV audience.”

Stay tuned for more announcements later this month before the historic opening round in October.

For more details about the National Drag Racing Championship, a detailed information package is available HERE

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