On Saturday night 16th February, 2013, South African driver Pieter DeWit was racing American Chuck Haynes in J60 Pratt and Whitney jet powered Dragsters on the Perth Motorplex quarter mile dragstrip. During Saturday’s final round of racing the experienced 37 year old South African driver suffered a high speed racing incident. After completing a 5.7 sec run and travelling at approximately 440 kilometres per hour, DeWit experienced parachute issues with the Dragster. As a result the Jet Dragster hit the sand-trap and safety net area at high speed causing significant damage to the vehicle. DeWit was trapped in the car for a period, but was extracted by emergency crews with no life threatening injuries. During this period, De Wit responded alertly to all safety crew in attendance and was communicating with them until he departed the venue. At this time DeWit remains in hospital under observation with a fractured kneecap and a burn to his back. Photo: Phil LUYER – www.highoctanephotos.com

RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL clocked a superb personal best of 3.82/317. 94 mph. to book a first round match- up against reigning Top Fuel champion Antron Brown at the opening round of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello series.

Dragnews Australia is pleased to announce the winners of its inaugural Track Snaps photo competition “the best of 2012”.

A SUPERB full track pass of 3.84/318.39 mph by Rapisarda International Racing drew rave reviews from co –tuner Tino Rapisarda and NHRA gun Larry Dixon.

Melbourne baker Wayne Price will be making his first appearance at Adelaide International Raceway for next weekend’s Aeroflow Summer Speedfest, which features the third round of the ANDRA Top Alcohol Championship.

Rapisarda International Racing has opened their 2013 Mello Yello championship season with a regulation mid- track shut – off pass of 3.96/244 mph on day one of qualifying at the 53rd. annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals.

Nitro Max at Perth Motorplex featured the unique running of round 4 & 5 of the Top Fuel Pro Series over two days. Dragnews is bringing its own unique view of the event via a video style report courtesy of the Gardner Broz.

Team Bray Racing has headed off from its Kallangur base this morning, bound for the Perth Motorplex’sWesternationals (1 and 2 March 2013).

This Saturday approximately 100 racers are expected to take to the track at Willowbank Raceway for the first track championship ‘points-paying’ round of the New Year.

The first test and tune in Sydney for 2013 witnessed a number of new rides debut and some tough performances in very hot and muggy conditions, here are the highlights.

John Lamattina, younger brother of established top fuel star Phil Lamattina, is all set to join the elite group of licenced top fuel pilots after an amazing first day of licencing at Sydney Dragway.

Top Alcohol returns to Adelaide International Raceway for the Aeroflow Summer Speedfest in just under two weeks and carrying the Aeroflow flag in a big way will be Sydney driver Rick Gauci.

More than 24,000 horsepower will be on show at South Coast Raceway, Portland this Saturday (16 February) when eight Top Doorslammers lead the way for round two of the 2013 Slamfest series.

Zappia Racing head to Fuchs South Coast Raceway in Victoria to compete in Round 2 of the Slamfest, after a strong performance at the Top Fuel meeting at Perth Motorplex last weekend.

Drag News Australia will bring our readers exclusive coverage of Rapisarda Autosport International’s opening round of the 2013 Mello Yello championships – the 53rd Winternationals – from Pomona Raceway on February 14 -17.

     Kelly Corbett is known as one of the toughest racers in the country in Modified, with several gold Christmas trees to her name.  

With just under eight weeks until Willowbank Raceway hosts the revolutionary new Santo’s Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race event, entries have now opened via the Raceway’s website.

  Former Australian top fuel champion, Phil Lamattina, has had an amazing return to form at the Perth Motorplex, winning both rounds held at the Western Australia venue over February 1 and 2.

Since making the step into the professional categories of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, South Australian team owner Greg Brown has been relishing the tough but fun opportunities racing in Top Alcohol presents.

Allan Dobson might make a career out of being a fire fighter, but he was the one starting the blazes over the weekend at Perth Motorplex with the Rapisarda Racing team having a series of dramas producing spectacular results.

Willowbank Raceway’s upcoming Cruzin Magazine Nostalgia Drags event (February 23) will host a brand new category for nostalgia racing – Nostalgia Super Stock.

The opening round of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series is expected to attract more than 100 racers from all over Queensland come February 9.

Phil Lamattina pulled off the double win at Perth Motorplex last night, taking out the fifth round of the ANDRA Top Fuel championship in addition to his round four win on Friday night.

  A thrilling final in round four of the ANDRA Top Fuel championship at Perth Motorplex saw Phil Lamattina take the points lead in the championship as a new format kept the crowd on the edge of their seat.

A very familiar Top Doorslammer has finally found a new home, heading straight to the Top End?

Nitro returns this Friday and Saturday to the Perth Motorplex for rounds 4 and 5 of the ANDRA Top Fuel Championship.

Drag racing is a sport that almost anyone with a desire can compete in. For 53 year old Victorian racer Leanne Braggs her introduction to the sport came later than most, however that has not deterred her desire to master it.

The ANDRA Top Fuel championship heads to Perth Motorplex again this weekend with round four and five of the series set to fire.