Kelly Bettes said she feels lucky to be alive after a scary moment a couple of days after the New Years Thunder Top Fuel event at Willowbank Raceway. Bettes, pilot for Lamattina Top Fuel Racing, was driving with partner Blaze Hansen in their Ford Territory when a car crossed straight in front of them to turn, but fortunately escaped major injury in the head on crash. Crashes like these serve as a stark reminder that even the most experienced drivers aren’t immune to the dangers posed by others’ mistakes. Whether it’s a sudden lane change, a reckless turn, or a high-speed impact, the aftermath can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. In such cases, working with a skilled rear-end crash injury attorney can be crucial to securing fair compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the long-term effects of the accident. With the right legal guidance, victims can focus on recovery while knowing their rights are being fully protected. “Blaze and were I driving along a two lane road at 100kph when a car in the oncoming lane decided to turn across our lane into his driveway,” Bettes explained. “I can not believe the stupidity and judgement of the other driver. We were so close that in hard braking we would have been lucky to slow to 85-90kph before we hit. “It was a frightening moment knowing there’s nothing you can do. Both Blaze and I are bruised and sore, a couple of grazes but otherwise all okay. My car did its job to keep us alive and I cannot express how impressed I was with the airbag/safety system in the Territory. The ambulance officers said that they can’t believe we walked away.” With the next round of the 400 Thunder Top Fuel Championship coming up in less than 10 days, Bettes is hopeful the soreness will wear off and allow her to give it her all as she pursues a second title. “I will still be racing at Summer Thunder next weekend. I’m sure it will be a little more difficult then normal, but the people that know me, know I’ll still give it everything I have got!”

Drag News Magazine has been providing high quality features and coverage from Australian drag racing for five years now, with both e-mag and print options.

From the headlines, it might have looked like another Tremayne whitewash at New Years Thunder, but behind the scenes it was a tough night for the Queensland Pro Stock outfit.

Pro Bike saw a first time victor at New Years Thunder with Western Australia’s Ryan Learmonth taking his first 400 Thunder event over Daniel Rabnott.

It didn’t take long for two of Australia’s foremost drag racers on methanol to return to the top of their respective categories this 400 Thunder season.

Queensland’s Kelly Bettes lived up to her championship-winning reputation at New Years Thunder at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday night, recovering from a first round mistake to take out the final round from America’s Ashley Sanford.

Anyone who is familiar with South Coast Raceway would be familiar with Greg ‘Dutchy’ Holland, the long-time committee member, former Vice President and track commentator.

New Year’s Thunder doubled as a split round for the 400 Thunder Sportsman Series with Pro Radial, Competition Bike, Top Sportsman, Modified and Super Street in the hunt for championship points.

The Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car series is set to return to Sydney Dragway as part of one of the biggest one-day spectacles ever seen at the venue – the Gulf Western Oil Mega Race on April 6, 2019.

The ACDelco Pro Slammer team of Maurice Fabietti and Mark Hinchelwood took on Dale Heiler from Castle Hill Performance in a fascinating dyno contest in Canberra over the weekend.

Two reigning 400 Thunder champions who have thus far struggled for the season got their series defences back on track with wins at Willowbank Raceway’s New Years Thunder on Saturday night.

Ashley Sanford knocked out the quickest time for Top Fuel in pre-event testing for New Years Thunder at Willowbank Raceway, while John Zappia set a hot pace in the Pro Slammers.

Team owner Maurice Fabietti and driver Mark Hinchelwood have revealed a new ACDelco Holden Monaro at the Summernats car show in Canberra.

Emilio and Adamo Spinozzi are looking for a breakthrough run at New Years Thunder tomorrow at Willowbank Raceway in the Speedmaster Chevelle.

Usually the start of a New Year leads to changes, resolutions, optimism, and bold predictions. However, for Jim Read Racing, they are looking on picking up from their last outing in Sydney and moving forward at this weekend’s New Year’s Thunder at Willowbank Raceway.

Australian NHRA Top Fuel driver Richie Crampton will make his second ever nitro appearance on home soil as part of Willowbank Raceway’s New Years Thunder event this Saturday, January 5.

Vote for the top 15 moments in Sydney Dragway’s 15 year history ahead of Santo’s Summer Thunder and WIN some great prizes!

Aeroflow Performance and Rocket Industries, two of Australia’s key automotive brands, are proud to announce an agreement with the Perth Motorplex that will see the lanes of the iconic West Australian facility named as the Aeroflow and Rocket lanes.

  The journey to his first ever ANDRA Christmas Tree at the recent Goldenstates was an exceptionally smooth one for Top Sportsman racer Chris Roe.