The disagreement between Sydney Dragway and Australia’s Top Fuel racers that threatened to de-rail next month’s Nitro Champs at the Western Sydney venue has come to an end with the two groups agreeing that Australia’s premier drag racing category will be present at the event.
The impasse was over prizemoney being awarded and a number of other clauses that Sydney Dragway wanted built into the category’s racing agreement, however both Top Fuel Australia Limited and Sydney Dragway have announced that, in consultation with ANDRA, the posturing has come to an end and they will be racing over the weekend of May 3-5.
“Our teams and sponsors couldn’t miss the opportunity to be at the Nitro Champs and putting on an incredible show the fans deserve,” said Chairman of Top Fuel Australia Ltd., Angelo Lamattina. “Through the dedication of our members and the good working relationship with Sydney Dragway, we came away from our discussions with the desired result – Top Fuel is coming to the Nitro Champs.”
The Nitro Champs – one of only three ANDRA events in the current calendar where every professional category takes part in the one event – had a strong fan reaction to the decision to cancel Top Fuel, hence the two groups re-convening and arriving at a suitable outcome, said CEO of Sydney Dragway Graham Elliott:
“We listened to the most important people who are the fans of the sport, and came back to the table to ensure all possibilities were explored,” Elliott explained. “The outcome reached by all parties means we are able to deliver one of the sport’s greatest categories of racing, making the 2013 Sydney Nitro Champs the world class event we set out for. It’s a great conclusion for us all.”
In further good news for fans heading to the event, spectacular Nitro Funny Cars will be on the bill as a feature category.
The decision for Top Fuel to return to Sydney can be seen as a great outcome for all parties.
