The future of motorsport is set to roar to life with the launch of the Kanga Kids USA Junior Dragster Tour 2026, an exciting initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of racing talent.
The program will see four elite Australian junior drag racers travel to the United States to compete in the prestigious Right Trailers NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals at the historic Bristol Dragway, famously known as Thunder Valley, in Bristol, Tennessee.
“This tour is about more than racing. It’s about building confidence, resilience and creating life-changing opportunities for young drivers on an international stage,” said Michael Bennett, Kanga Kids Coordinator.
“We’re proud to give Australian racers the chance to compete in the absolute heartland of drag racing.”
Junior Dragsters provide a proven professional pathway that has developed young global motorsport talent since its inception in 1992.
The Kanga Kids are scheduled to race at multiple junior-exclusive major events over an intensive nine-day period at Thunder Valley.
The Events
These premier events regularly attract upwards of 600 entrants, aged six to 18. To provide perspective, Australia’s largest drag racing event, the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, hosts 500 competitors in total across all categories, including only 68 juniors.
- Mike Bos Chassis Craft Jr. Dragster Nationals: 10–12 July 2026
- Right Trailers NHRA JDRL Eastern Conference Finals: 13–18 July 2026
Key Tour Highlights
- High-stakes international competition experience in the United States.
- Direct track placement alongside premier global junior drag racing events.
- Multi-age and high-performance bracket classes reaching speeds of up to 85mph, or 136km/h.
- Strict structural focus on mechanical safety, driver development and elite sportsmanship.
- Clear structural pathway towards top-tier professional motorsport opportunities.
The Drivers
The four drivers selected are:
Zayne Condello (3 x Australian National Champion)Age: 17
- Hometown: Albion Park Rail, NSW, Australia
- Junior Dragster: Halfscale Swingarm
- Engine: Craws 3.75″
- 2022,2023, 2024 Junior Nationals Champion
- 2022-2023 season Australian Champion
- 2024-2025 season Australian Champion
- 2025 Inaugural Winner Dennis Syrmis Award
Piper Bennett (2024 NSW Junior Champion)
- Hometown: Alfords Point, NSW, Australia
- Junior Dragster: Mike Bos
- Engine: Craws 3.75”
- 2023 Junior Nationals Top Qualifier
- 2024 NSW Junior Dragster Champion
- 2024 Junior Nationals Best Female Package
- 2025 Inaugural JD WARS DYO Champion
Luca Lamattina (Multiple-time National Runner-up)
- Hometown: Wemen, Victoria, Australia
- Junior Dragster: Motivational Tubing
- Engine: Pure Power 3.5”
- 3 x Australian National Finals
- 3 x Australian National Runner-ups
- 4 x National Top Qualifier
Savanna Condello (Multiple-time National Runner-up)
- Hometown: Albion Park Rail, NSW, Australia
- Junior Dragster: Motivational Tubing
- Engine: Craws 3.5”
- 2023-2024 Eastern Conference Runner Up
- 2023 Festival State Nationals Runner-Up
- 2024 Spring Nationals Runner-Up
- 2024 Sunset Nationals Runner-Up
For more information visit thekangakids.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
