In sweltering conditions in front of a huge Sydney Dragway crowd, Hydraulink Jim Read Racing was second quickest in qualifying before going on to win the Nitro Nationals C-Final on Saturday evening (November 8), all while having to basically re-learn their Top Fuel dragster.
The event was the season finale for the 2024/2025 NDRC Top Fuel season and followed a complete rebuild for the Hydraulink Jim Read Racing team following a prolonged fire at the Spring Nationals in early October.
“There was no way we were missing the finale, so while it was a huge job, our entire team dug deep and got to work – first we worked frantically to get the thing to fire before we even left the track at The Bend, and then followed weeks of intense work to basically replace everything from the driver’s seat back, and then some,” Hydraulink Jim Read Racing Crew Chief, Bruce Read, explained.
“With no time for testing, all that meant that when we rolled out to Sydney for the Nitro Nationals we were basically in the position of having to re-learn our car given all the new parts it had on it!
“The hot conditions were tricky especially in the earlier runs – until it cooled down only a few were able to get down the track, but the evening runs were better and allowed some great performances for the crowd, which was absolutely sensational.
“It is humbling really how many people would spend their hard earned money to come and sit in 35 degree heat and watch us lunatics do what we do. No matter the results, it was really a great meeting.”
As alluded to by Bruce above, in the 1.00pm qualifying the entire field struggled to get down the hot and greasy track, with the team and its driver Phil Read qualifying second quickest with a 7.032 second pass at 100.61mph behind top qualifier – and eventual event and championship winner – Wayne Newby (6.598/92.66mph).
The first two rounds of racing were held at 4.00pm and 6.30pm respectively, still with a fair amount of heat in the track.
In these rounds Read would face off against title runner-up and last season champ Damien Harris in round one (6.690/91.20mph to Harris’ 5.514/143.16mph), and event runner-up Shane Olive in round two (4.578/183.29mph to Olive’s 4.201/233.96mph).
This set-up a C-Final match-up between Read and Phil Lamattina, with both drivers on a pretty good run early before Lamattina buzzed the tyres and had to get off it. Read then elected for an early shut-off, crossing the line for the win in 4.085 seconds at 222.47mph, to Lamattina’s 4.903/147.34mph effort.
“Congratulations to Wayne on the championship, and congratulations to the Pom (72-year-old Queenslander, Steve Read) on outscoring three regulars as well (as the B-Final winner against title runner-up, Damien Harris)!” Phil Read said.
“It was a huge day. We gave it all we could and given what we had to do to even be here, we are proud of those efforts and happy that we could finish up with a race win in the C-Final.
“It really was a sensational event. We said from the start that we could never miss this event here at our home track, rounding out the season, and by the size of the crowd, it seems like a lot of fans felt the same way too! That was just incredible to see so many people here, especially given the heat.
“Bruce and I can’t praise our team enough; we are so grateful to all of them for their enduring support and relentless effort over what has been a tough season – we can’t wait to do it all again with you in 2026.
“Thank you also to our sponsors who are always in our corner, and to all of the fans who continue to show their support both at the track and online.
“It feels like we are off on Spring Break now to use an American term, but the new season will be here before we know it, and we can’t wait to have another crack at adding to the championship trophies on our mantlepiece in 2026.”
In 2026, Top Fuel will contest seven events across the calendar year as part of the NDRC, concluding in October.
Hydraulink Jim Read Racing is supported on track by Hydraulink, Snap-On, FXD Workwear, Valvoline, McDonalds, Comp Cams, PremiAir Hire, Odyssey Batteries, PMP Motorsport Products, Oasis Aquatics, Oasis Heat Pumps, Speed Gas, Spa Electric Pool Lighting, Ezarri Tiles, and Pacific Pools. The team also thanks Richard Smith and Grant Stephens for their assistance with photography services. To learn more about Hydraulink Jim Read Racing, visit https://www.facebook.com/JimReadRacing
