Harris wins memorable NDRC opener

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 23 October 2023

Damien Harris has kicked off his Top Fuel title defence in style by winning a memorable Spring Nationals opener at a packed Bend Dragway.

More than 35,000 fans attended the brand-new South Australian facility at Tailem Bend across two special days that marked the beginning of both the track and the Top Fuel National Drag Racing Championship era.

In addition to Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock Motorcycle and more than 300 racers in the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship also entertained the sell-out crowd.

Top Fuel Championship

Damien Harris and Wayne Newby celebrate the Rapisarda Autosport one-two finish. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

The battle for championship honours in the Top Fuel season opener was dominated by Rapisarda Autosport with Harris leading home Wayne Newby in a one-two finish.

Saturday’s running was shortened due to weather, which set the stage for the first ever Top Fuel race at The Bend on Sunday afternoon.

It ended up being a face off between last season’s title rivals Harris and Peter Xiberras.

Once again Harris emerged victorious, but only just, beating the PremiAir Racing driver by three hundredths of a second.

Despite Harris showing strong form, it was his teammate Newby, who was the quickest runner across the early stages.

He was the favourite as the two Rapisarda Autosport lined up for the A-Final, but his hopes of victory were dashed from an intense tyre shake off the line.

There was a big crowd enjoying the action at the new Bend Dragway. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

After experiencing the scare soon after the launch, Newby was forced to abandon his run, which gave Harris the ultimate victory.

“Thank you so much to the Rapisarda family, to Atlantic Oil, and to everyone else behind this,” Harris said.

“And of course, my crew – they have done a great job this weekend, it was looking a bit rough in testing, but we have come back great.

“I have been really lucky with my racing with the Rapisarda family to pick up a few firsts, and this is another great one!

“I really want to thank Santo Jnr and Santo Snr, and Santino and Jana for their support – it really means the world to me.”

After losing out to Harris earlier, Xiberras lined up against Phil Lamattina in the B-Final.

This was another nail-biter with Xiberras getting the job done with a 3.837 second pass at 499.93km/h, trumping Lamattina’s 3.923 second run at 449.84km/h.

The C-Final was played out between Kyle Putland and Phil Read.

It ultimately went to Read comfortably as Putland’s hopes were wiped out by a fluid leak.

Top Doorslammer

Ronnie Palumbo puts on a smoke show in the AC Delco Holden on his way to the Top Doorslammer finale. Image: cackling Pipes Photography

The Hot Shots Top Doorslammer decider generated plenty of discussion due to the unusual occurrence of neither finalists able to greet the starter.

Ronnie Palumbo’s car shutdown during the burnout and had to be pushed back, while Lisa Gregorini’s machine was shut down by her team as she approached the start line with sparks shooting out of the side of her car.

Initially both drivers were going to be rewarded with the runners-up points and trophies, but the racers themselves elected to re-run the final at Perth.

The Top Doorslammer B-Final still went ahead with Matt Abel beating Peter Kapiris with a 5.877s pass at 396.75km/h.

In the C-Final, Daniel Gregorini and Adam Tassone put on a huge show. Tassone got the jump with a staggering 0.001s reaction time, only for Gregorini to then drive around it with a 4.864s pass at 418.49km/h.

Earlier, Peter Lovering had run a solo in the D-Final after John Zappia was forced to withdraw with engine damage.

Top Fuel Motorcycle

Benny Stevens smoked his Top Fuel Motorcycle opponents. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

Benny Stevens marked his Top Fuel Motorcycle triumph with a wheel stand after opponent Damien Muscat was unable to front the starter.

Stevens stormed to the decider after two impressive runs earlier in the day.

An event winning 6.409s pass at 353.43km/h arrived after 6.483/355.05kph and 6.447/348.41kph passes in rounds one and two respectively.

To add to the spectacle, both were completed with the front wheel in the air for the majority of the runs.

Stevens was emotional to score success at the new track.

“Thanks to my crew and to Dragway at The Bend, I can’t wait to get back here,” he said.

“I am absolutely stoked, I am lost for words, to be the first winner here. Thank you to all the crew, the crowd, to everyone involved.”

The B-Final was another solo run and went to Danny Rickard after Mark Drew experienced problems following the burnout.

The D-Final was also a one-sided affair as a Corey Buttigieg no show opened the door for Kevin Gummow.

Both Rob Cassar and Les Holden actually went head to head in the C-Final.

However, it was an easy win for Holden, who recorded an 8.302s/217.31km/h pass after Cassar misfired in the opening stages.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

Scott White on his way to victory in Pro Stock Motorcycle at The Bend. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

The battle for Pro Stock Motorcycle honours was a tight affair with Scott White and Glenn Wooster going head to head.

White emerged victorious with a 7.170s pass and a 0.032s reaction time, providing the whole shot over Wooster.

It gave White a special win, having won at Adelaide a decade ago and he admitted it was special to repeat South Australian success.

“I won this event 10 years ago at Adelaide at the old track and it seems I am doing a 10 year cycle,” he smiled.

“I didn’t even think I was in the final and to go on to beat Glenn, that is just so amazing.”B-Final and third place honours went to Luke Crowley after overcoming Ryan Learmonth, Tony Frost beat Rocky Ireland in the C-Final, while Jason Lee had a free ride to the D-Final.

The National Drag Racing Championship heads to Sydney Dragnet for the Sydney Nationals on October 27-28 next weekend.

Taking centre stage will be Nitro Funny Car, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock and FuelTech Pro Mod as well as the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.

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