One year ago, Australian Top Fuel Champion Damien Harris narrowly avoided a complete catastrophe when a mechanical failure on his Atlantic Oils Rapisarda Autosport International Top Fuel Dragster caused a qualifying accident ending his Westernationals campaign and nearly derailing his championship. This weekend, Harris at the RAI team will return to the Perth Motorplex for Round 3 of the NDRC Australian Top Fuel Championship at the 54th annual Westernationals seeking to redeem the disaster of last season racing the same chassis involved in that crash.
During qualifying at last year’s Westernationals a front control arm on Harris’ Top Fuel Dragster failed at 318mph. The failure sent Harris careering toward the right-hand wall, fortunately through Harris’ driving skills he was able to wrestle the car from any serious impact, only having the rear slick impact the wall before grinding the car to a halt.
“Last year grounded us and was a reminder of how quickly incidents can happen,” said Crew Chief Santo Rapisarda Jr. “That particular pass qualified us number at the event last year, so we are looking forward to returning to Motorplex this weekend and picking up where we left off in performance.”
Following the incident the RAI team went straight to work in repairing the damaged chassis.
“Terry Sainty of Sainty Engineering worked with RAI on the design and information to front half the car at his workshop, and to repair, and bring it up to date with the latest specs – including the heavier wall thickness tubing. The work done by Terry and his team was fantastic, a credit to them,” said Rapisarda Jr.
“Terry Jackson also helped to repair all our damaged carbon fibre panel work.”
The repaired chassis was raced by Harris at October’s 2024/25 NDRC Australian Championship season opening Spring Nationals at Dragway At The Bend, but the thrash to return the car to the track had consequences, before the team rebounded the best way possible by winning New Year Nitro at Willowbank.
“We built the car after returning from U.S. Nationals in September. No chance to test, followed by major mechanical failures at The Bend, made for a difficult start to the season,” lamented Rapisarda Jr. “But fresh paint and a reserved set up at Willowbank put Harris and his car in the winner’s circle again.
“Now that Damien is much more comfortable in the car his reactions came right back after, falling off a bit whilst driving the C-car, which was a difficult fit for him, we are looking forward to the rest of the season and chasing another championship.”
Harris’ RAI teammate Wayne Newby currently leads the championship on 243 points ahead of Phil Read on 235, Harris is chasing hard in third on 151 points after winning the last event.
The 54th annual Westernationals, round three of the NDRC Top Fuel Championship, will be held across March 1-2 at the Perth Motorplex. For event information, visit www.motorplex.com.au or www.nationaldragracing.com
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