The last time Hydraulink Jim Read Racing raced at Dragway at The Bend, it was a dominating performance which saw the team win every match-up to take out the event victory after having also top qualified and running the quickest Top Fuel pass ever set in Australia (3.72 seconds at 522.62kph).
Now, the team is more than happy to be returning to the site of that perfect weekend for the Riverbend Nationals at the Tailem Bend venue across April 5 and 6.
The event will mark round four of the NDRC Top Fuel Championship chase, in which the multiple championship winning team and its driver, Phil Read, are currently second.
“We can’t wait to get back to Dragway at The Bend and if the conditions are favourable, who knows what will be possible,” Phil Read said.
“The last time we were at The Bend everything well and truly went our way, and we are so proud to still be holding the marker for quickest Top Fuel pass in the country as we head back to Tailem Bend this weekend.
“It is going to be exceptionally competitive out there – the RAI cars are always very tough, Phil Lamattina is back and looking to make up for lost time, and rookie sensation Kyle Putland is on his way over from Perth and is another that we need to keep an eye on.
“What is certain is that we will be doing all we can to make a repeat of our October performance there possible.”
It has been a bumpy road in the 2024/2025 Top Fuel Championship season since the hugely successful opening round for the Sydney-based team, but that hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm ahead of the Riverbend Nationals.
“There is absolutely no question that our season got off to the best start possible, it was a perfect weekend at Dragway at The Bend for us back in October and saw us leave there absolutely on cloud nine and full of confidence for our championship tilt,” Hydraulink Jim Read Racing Crew Chief, Bruce Read, said.
“In searing hot conditions for New Year Nitro at Willowbank Raceway we managed a B-Final victory, but the Westernationals in Perth certainly were quite challenging, although we were able to salvage a C-Final win.
“We have been doing a lot of work on our program since then and we are feeling strong heading to The Bend.
“We will remain focused and honestly we can’t wait to get back out there and see if we can bring home another victory in South Australia.
“The field is as always stacked with talent, although we are very sad that we won’t be lining up against Peter Xiberras following his announcement recently that he is taking a temporary hiatus.
“Peter is one of the best cars out there, so he will most definitely be missed. We hope to see him back on-track with us again soon.”
The Riverbend Nationals, round four of the NDRC Top Fuel Championship for the 2024/2025 season, will be held across April 5 and 6 at Dragway at The Bend. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au/dragway or www.nationaldragracing.com
Hydraulink Jim Read Racing is supported on track by Hydraulink, Valvoline, Snap-On, McDonalds, FXD Workwear, Comp Cams, PremiAir Hire, Odyssey Batteries, PMP Motorsport Products, Oasis Aquatics, Oasis Heat Pumps, Speed Gas, Spa Electric Pool Lighting, Pacific Pools and Sander Engineering. The team also thanks Richard Smith for his assistance with photography services. To learn more about Hydraulink Jim Read Racing, visit https://www.facebook.com/JimReadRacing
