When the flame-throwing Top Fuel dragsters thunder down Willowbank Raceway’s quarter-mile on Easter Saturday (4 April) as part of the Santo’s Super 3 Extreme Drag Race Event presented by Uplift Cranes and Titan Cranes, it will be in pursuit of what has been called ‘Top Fuel’s highest honour’.
The Louie Rapisarda Top Fuel Trophy is awarded to the top points-scoring Top Fuel racer of the event, in memory of racer Louie Rapisarda – son of event sponsor and Top Fuel team owner Santo Rapisarda – who passed away in 1990.
So far, the honours have gone to Steve ‘the Pom’ Read – who claimed the trophy at the event’s inaugural outing in 2013 – and Rapisarda Racing’s Allan Dobson (2014).
Top Fuel Australia representative Bruce Read said the trophy was extremely important to Australia’s Top Fuel fraternity.
“The best way I can describe the importance of the Louie Rapisarda Top Fuel Trophy to our Top Fuel racers is to say that it is more important than can be adequately put into words,” said Read.
“In my personal opinion, to win that trophy is the highest honour in Top Fuel.”
Driven by a passion to claim this honour while at the same time gaining valuable points in the ANDRA Top Fuel championship chase, Read says spectators can expect an exciting show from Top Fuel at the Easter Saturday event.
“Spectators can expect a short and sharp show where they get to see every Top Fuel car go down the track twice, and then four Top Fuelers in the A and B final as well as all the other racers and action of the event – delivering great value for their money,” said Read.
“Given that Willowbank Raceway has the finest traction in the country and possibly in the world, the ingredients are there for some record performances and spectators can expect an exciting show from start to finish come Easter Saturday.
“I really hope the fans come out and make this event part of their Easter weekend celebrations – the teams put a lot of passion, effort and money into competing and I know the fans appreciate their efforts, so we hope to see plenty of spectators coming out to cheer the racers on as they chase success this Easter at Willowbank.”
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