Daniel Schultz will make his debut in competition at this weekend’s Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway, hoping to steer the potent Santo Rapisarda-owned Titan Cranes Top Fuel dragster to some round wins.
Schultz recently completed licensing to be a Top Fuel dragster driver and was excited when news came through that he would be driving at the Nitro Champs. Stages come no bigger than the epic Sydney Dragway amphitheatre, capable of holding 30,000 people.
“As far as I knew I was going to washing parts this weekend,” he said. “I’m nervous but excited as well. I’ve been speaking to a few of the other drivers today and getting their opinions and they are excited for me.
“They just told me that I’ve done plenty of laps and should know what it’s all about and I’ll be focused on making sure I’m not too slow in the pre-race procedure and getting the motor too hot.”
Schultz will have an impressive team mate to help guide him, with professional Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan out from the USA again to drive for Rapisarda Racing.
The dragster Schultz will be driving last competed in Adelaide at the recent Pro Series 1000 with Mark Mariani at the wheel, where despite a first round loss plenty of information was gained.
Schultz was under no impression that his introduction to Top Fuel will be easy, but as with each of the other seven drivers coming to race the lure of the winner’s circle is hard to ignore.
“I’m hoping to go rounds and I think everyone has winning that gold Christmas tree on their mind,” he said. “It’s about concentrating on getting the car down the track and taking whatever happens from there.
“(Crew chief) Santo Rapisarda Jnr is very confident the car is going to run some good numbers.”
The Nitro Champs take place at Sydney Dragway on May 4-6 and feature the full ANDRA drag racing experience including Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top Alcohol, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
