Second National Drag Racing Championship ready to rumble

The National Drag Racing Championship has revealed the calendar for the second season of the new era with 12 events listed in 2024/25.

The new 2024/25 Drag Racing calendar includes the much-anticipated professional categories led by Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car as well the second half of the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship Series.

The NDRC commenced in 2023 to create a national championship for both Group One and Sportsman competitors under the guiding principle of ‘One Way. Forward.’ In its second season, the championship brings a clearer program that is simpler to engage with for both racers and fans.

Developing the new season calendar has been a monumental task with excellent collaboration from venues, racer groups, sponsors and supporting promoters.

After three years working as promoters in drag racing following 15 years of staging Australia’s largest motorsport festivals, the team behind the NDRC are more ready than ever to face the challenges of making drag racing a sustainable sport with a pathway to the future.

Wayne Newby is one of the Top Fuel stars. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

Traditionally, drag racing promoters and venues have staged events that feature as many categories at the one event as possible.

This is simply not sustainable in the current economic environment where fans face cost of living pressures that mean they must choose between attending drag racing or all the other things they and their families want to do.

Given that, the coming season sees a new approach where various Group One categories will race at a number of track-based events.

Top Doorslammer, Top Motorcycle and the new NDRC Pro Drag Racing events featuring Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod will be headlining events at stand-alone events around the country.

The NDRC Pro Drag Racing events are headed by an integral member of the NDRC team, Jason Hedges.

With the support of venues, Jason will manage and promote the racing of Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod at three standalone events this year, and this will grow in years to come.

In July this year, the NDRC surveyed sportsman racers to get their feedback on the structure of the championship and a range of other issues. One standout piece of feedback was that a single national title was simpler to understand and made choosing when and where they should race much easier.

The new season will see a single Aeroflow Sportsman Championship culminating with a traditional Grand Final round at the Winternationals, seeing the removal of the conference system for sportsman racers.

Race day at six events will be broadcast live and free around Australia and the world.

“Season two of the National Drag Racing Championship will be amazing,” NDRC co-owner Andy Lopez said.

“There’s plenty of great events to choose from at Australia’s top racing venues. The calendar is the result of collaboration with our major venue partners in Willowbank, Sydney, The Bend and Motorplex, the ANDRA Regional Series, and other standalone Aeroflow sportsman events.

“Since day one we’ve shown that we’re listening to racers when it comes to creating the type of national championship they want to race for, and the changes we’ve made for the coming season are a reflection of that.

Peter Xiberras in action last year. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

“We’ve simplified the championship. We’ve engaged with track partners and other promoters to deliver a calendar that is sustainable now and for the future.

“Between the NDRC, venues, sponsors and promoters, millions of dollars are about to be committed this season to create opportunities for racers to follow their passion.

“We absolutely respect the investment from racers, and their passion and effort deserve to be shown in the best light to the widest audience.

“I’m going to be really honest. There will be a lot of excitement about this calendar in the racer group. I know there will be some who feel that they’re not getting what they want from us.

“Our message is clear. This NDRC calendar is sustainable for the tracks and promoters who take the financial risk to stage events. It has been built to allow growth.

“To the racers who want to get on board, we love you and thank you. Our promise is simple. Come race, win trophies, and compete to be the National Champion.

“We will deliver you a national championship, treat you with respect, and showcase you to a national and international audience. The NDRC is committed to Australian drag racing.

“I will say this very clearly to those who don’t want what the NDRC is offering. Drag racing is not all about the NDRC. If you don’t want to race NDRC events, you have plenty of opportunities to race and contribute to the sport you love.

“Get behind the ANDRA series. Race your track championships and local meets. You are as important to the future of drag racing as anyone who competes in our series.

“With positivity and enthusiasm, no matter where you race or what you race for, we’re all part of making drag racing Australia’s favourite motorsport again.”

Benny Stevens celebrating a  Top Fuel Motorcycle success. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

Aeroflow Sportsman Championship racers can also score Championship points at a number of ANDRA Regional Series events and other stand-alone events.

“Personally, I want to thank the Top Fuel teams who got us on board back in 2022 for the first two awesome seasons of the Top Fuel Championship,” Lopez continued.

“The Top Fuel crew travelled all over Australia, supporting racing wherever we have asked them to. Their commitment to the sport has made it possible for us to develop the National Drag Racing Championship.

“Also, the team at Aeroflow have been amazing supporters of the NDRC, both for backing the Sportsman Championship and bringing Funny Cars into the fold.

The Bend remains a massive part of the NDRC season.

“As always, the NDRC will continue to explore other event opportunities as the season unfolds, so keep your eyes peeled for more announcements.

“The NDRC’s motto remains, ‘One Way. Forward.’ All of us, and I mean promoters, tracks, sponsors, and racers, can make this happen.”

2024/25 National Drag Racing Championship calendar

Spring Nationals – Dragway at The Bend (October 18-20) Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Aeroflow Sportsman Championship.

Dragbike Nationals – Dragway at The Bend (November 9)

NDRC Pro Racing – Sydney Dragway (November 15-16) Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod

Goldenstates (November 22-23) Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle

Nitro Slam – Perth Motorplex (January 4)

New Year Nitro – Willowbank Raceway (January 10-11) Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car and Aeroflow Sportsman Championship

The Bend (February 8-9) NDRC Pro Racing

Westernationals – Perth Motorplex (March 1-2) Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer and Aeroflow Sportsman Championship

NDRC Pro Racing – Sydney Dragway (March 21-22)

Riverbend Nationals – Dragway at The Bend (April 5-6) Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer and Aeroflow Sportsman Championship

Nitro Champs – Sydney Dragway (May 3-4) Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod and Aeroflow Sportsman Championship.

Winternationals – Willowbank Raceway (June 5-8) Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod and Aeroflow Sportsman Championship

Phil Luyer – High Octane Photos

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