The 2010 Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway will go down as one of the greatest ANDRA Drag Racing events ever, and certainly one of the very best in the several year history of the Eastern Creek located venue.
Many people consider the 2007 Summernationals and 2006 Boxing Day events as the finest ever here and this event will surely be ranked side-by-side with these at the very least!
Top Fuel delivered a showpiece of epic proportions – particular in a bruising first round that many seasoned pundits declared as one of the finest individual rounds for the 500km/h category in this country’s history.
Blistering runs and the tightest finishes in Pro Series history were a feature, with Mark Mariani scoring an emotional victory for team owner Santo Rapisarda over Phil Read, with an added bonus of the ANDRA Pro Series rookie-of-the-year candidate grabbing a stranglehold on the $25,000 Shannons Top Fuel Tristate Shootout.
“I am still overcome with what we achieved and to do it at my home track, on a day that produced incredible racing and most of all – to deliver this Gold Tree Trophy to Santo Rapisarda on the 20th anniversary of Louie’s passing – what an incredible event,” a teary Mariani declared.
Top Doorslammer went nuts on raceday at the Nitro Champs and Maurice Fabietti was a popular winner over reigning champion John Zappia in a day that 5-second quarter mile passes were frequent, as were the amazing finishes, including a bruising semi-final stoush between fellow West Aussies Zappia and Robin Judd.
Judd tripped the startline beams early in a crucial semi-final matchup that will shape the Andra Pro Series Championship against his fierce and respected rival.
But the day belonged to Fabietti.
“To win here is huge after our setbacks in Mildura with the car and many people helped us to get back on track for this event,” grinned Fabietti.
In the Karcher Tri State Doorslammer Shootout, Zappia has a tidy lead as the big field heads to the grand final Winternationals event in Queensland.
In an event where all categories delivered, it could well be true that Pro Stock delivered the best of all, in a 16-car race-day onslaught that had to be seen to be believed.
For all that, top qualifiers Aaron Tremayne and Dave Newcombe faced off in a brilliant final - with the ‘A-Train’ cutting a ridiculous 0.013 reaction time to be beat Newcome on a hole-shot: 7.119 over a 7.118!
Wayne Newby has had a Top Alcohol season to forget so far, but that all changed this event with a consistent and blistering run that saw him defeat Aussie icon Gary Phillips in a super-intense final. Despite the loss, Phillips looks unbeatable for yet another Championship.
“The Doorslammer is our project car for the rest of the season but this weekend our focus has been the Lucas Oil Products Funny Car and we are happy with where we are heading,” winked Phillips.
Chris Matheson has locked away the Top Bike Championship with Upton losing a drive belt during eliminations action and with that Matho would surely vie with Mariani on rookie of the year contention.
Andrew Badcock continues his strong surge in Pro Stock Motorcyle ranks and should claim a championship. However the X factor is his wife is expecting a child around the Winternationals event that could complicate matters!
Rocket Allstars Sportsman action was enthralling as well, with national records, great races, drama all the way through to an entertaining finale run between Ben Bray in the Gas Motorsports Pro FX car, taking on Frank Mamone in his insane 10.5 Outlaws car that left the crowd speechless as they both ran mid 6s!
The next Pro Series event at Sydney Dragway will be the Australian Nationals. Don’t forget the return of Nitro Funny Car Thunder on July 4.
