The X-Champs this weekend will see a maximum hit of nitro as eight Top Fuel dragsters and 10 Top Fuel Motorcycles take the track at Sydney Dragway.

Former US Pro Stock racer Grace Howell recently made some test laps at Willowbank Raceway at the wheel of partner Scott Porter’s Ford Mustang in preparation for racing at selected events this season.

Team Bray Racing is currently on their way to Sydney for this weekend’s X-Champs (3-5 May) – the second biggest drag racing event on the Australian calendar behind Willowbank Raceway’s FUCHS Winternationals.

The upcoming X Champs at Sydney Dragway is shaping up to be a big Top Fuel Motorcycle showdown, with an oversized field of Top Fuel Motorcycle entries, all vying for the title.

Sydney Dragway’s X-Champs is one of Australia’s premier drag racing events and it’s also where the smallest cars and drivers in the sport share the main stage with some of the country’s biggest names.

The X-Champs at Sydney Dragway featuring all the stars of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series and Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship will roar into life this weekend.

Shane Wynd has crossed the Nullarbor no less than 55 times but he doesn’t foresee many return trips in the future now that the current 2014 Modified Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship points leader has made the move back east permanent. Originally from Healesville, Victoria, Wynd recently relocated back to his home state from Western Australia to start a new chapter of his life and racing career on the east coast. “The knowledge that Calder and AIR are up and running featured in our decision to relocate to Victoria,” he said. “I am actively looking for work now and Jo (Shane’s wife) will be joining me once our house sells in WA, hopefully soon. “This has been a huge move so far, with only the start of the vehicle and belongings shuffling across the Nullarbor. It’s not every day that someone rocks up to a race meeting (like we did) in Adelaide with half their house in the race car trailer!” With the move half complete, Wynd is looking forward to racing in the X-Champs at Sydney Dragway next weekend. “My entry has been made for the X-Champs following two unfinished meetings in Adelaide and Calder to hopefully keep the lead on the points ladder,” he said. “Dial Before You Dig (NSW) have gratefully come back on board with some sponsorship after many years of sponsorship with the ute and dragster to compete at the X-Champs. More sponsorship equals more racing, equals more exposure.” His plan is to return his Super Sedan ute to its former glory as finances become available. Step one is to transport the ute and its XW Sedan stable mate from WA to Victoria. At both Adelaide International Raceway and Calder Park, Wynd reached the semi finals only to have it end abruptly due to weather conditions. Going into the X-Champs he hopes to finally reward his father Kevin Wynd for all his support over the years. “None of my racing career could have been possible if not for my Dad who has been my greatest asset and travel companion for all of my years and travel across the country to race and follow the championship points in Super Sedan and Modified for the ultimate goal of a Gold Christmas Tree,” he said. “He has now retired from crewing, but you never know when he comes to visit, there may be a spot for him if he wants it. “I was hoping for a win at Adelaide or Calder so I could give him the trophy as a retirement gift.” If recent form is anything to go by, he may get that chance in Sydney. {fcomment}

Round two of the 2014 JP Racing Eighth Mile Championship was held last weekend at Willowbank Raceway with 140 odd racers from all over Queensland competing in six categories. As an added bonus Kendra Tyres jumped on board with those who like to do things differently on radial tyres.

Steve Harker is super serious about his decision to jump back in the saddle within NHRA’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in America. Our Canadian friend Bruce Biegler reports.

When Ipswich racer Simon Stevens heads to Willowbank Raceway this weekend for round two of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series (26 April) he does so with a target on his back by virtue of his defending champion status.

After the rained out Season Opener, Hidden Valley Drag Strip is set to re-ignite this weekend with the Dash 4 Cash on Saturday 26th April.

When the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series announced the introduction of an Eighth Mile Outlaws bracket for its 2014 season, supported by FG Loy & Sons, it represented an opportunity too good to refuse for Toowoomba racer Rodney Hansen.

At last weekend’s Santo’s Super 3 Extreme Drag Race, Gary Phillips swept the board by claiming wins on both nights and setting a new elapsed time record in his Lucas Oil Products Top Alcohol Funny Car.

The Big Rock Tyre Centre Ford Probe has carried Allen Puglia to a shock Grand Final win at the Perth Motorplex last Saturday, sewing up a sixth Super Comp drag racing track championship for the Wanneroo-based stonemason.