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The Australian Nationals Drag Racing event at Sydney Dragway is set to be the biggest of the year.
With a season high eight Top Fuel entries that includes US star, Tommy Johnson Jr, there are 19 Top Doorslammers and 18 Pro Stock entries for the season ending event.
Fans attending the Nationals will be able to take advantage of new shade sails that have been erected just this week, creating much needed shade around the venue.
Additionally, entertainment in the form of the XXXX Retreat will once again be on hand.
One of the biggest battles of the weekend will be in Top Doorslammer. Peter Kapiris currently holds down a 42 point advantage over John Zappia. Zappia is gunning for a record six consecutive Doorslammer victories, however Kapiris is determined to head him off at the pass.
“No one wants to see him win another one,” Kapiris admitted. “We’re going up to Sydney Dragway to test for three days before the Australian Nationals, we don’t want to leave anything to chance.
“(From) the first qualifying pass we are going to throw everything at it and we are either going to set the world on fire or break it.”
It won’t be easy for Kapiris or Zappia with a 19 car field entered, which will be whittled down to eight before eliminations begin, meaning every single session you have to be at the top of your game. The Brays have had one of their best seasons in recent times and run third and fourth in the Championship and could well play the role of spoilers come Sunday’s eliminations.
In Top Fuel, Johnson Jr. will return to Australia to join Rapisarda Autosport International. The Sydney-based team withdrew from the final two rounds of the NHRA Mello Yello Series in America to return to Australia for this event. It has just been announced in the US that Johnson will move to Funny Car next year in the car that Johnny Gray has been campaigning in season 2013. Damien Harris will line up alongside Johnson in the RAI team.
Both John and Phil Lamattina will return, so too Queensland’s Steve ‘The Pom’ Read, local Terry Sainty, along with the returning Martin Stamatis.
All eyes though will be on last round winner Darren Morgan who will be gunning for the Championship this weekend.
The Australian Nationals begins on Friday with Aeroflow Sportsman Series qualifying. ANDRA Drag Racing Series professional level categories hit the track for the first time at 12:20pm on Saturday. Sunday, eliminations begin at 12pm.
Sydney Dragway has declared Sunday ‘Ladies Day’ with all female fans being able to purchase tickets for half price.
ANDRA will carry a livestream of the Nationals on its website at www.andra.com.au.
