With a record-setting performance at the Perth Motorplex recently, Morice McMillin raced into the title lead for the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC)’s Nitro Funny Car title chase. Now the Aeroflow pilot is predicting big things for the next round, to be held at Dragway at The Bend across January 13-14.
“Obviously the Perth weekend went well for us. We broke the track record on the first pass, and then broke it again on the last one,” McMillin explained.
“It was a really good weekend for the team, and it was especially great to have my car chief and right hand man Gareth Rogers back with me after being away for the Sydney season-opener.
“The car performed flawlessly and one of the big things that must be said is all of our hats are off to the track prep team as they obviously had some very, very hot and tough conditions to deal with and for how hot it was, the track was outstanding.
“I think it was a really remarkable effort from them and also the entire Nitro Funny Car line-up across all the teams – they are asked to do a lot and in 39 degrees of heat what they were able to achieve across the whole group is really impressive.”
McMillin heads to round three of the NDRC Nitro Funny Car title chase in the title lead on 223 points, 22 points ahead of round one winner Justin Walshe (201 points). Third placed is Anthony Begley (157), while Brandon Gosbell (147) and Adam Murrihy (128) round out the top five.
“If you had told us before the Goldenstates that we would come out of that event in the lead, I would have been very surprised,” McMillin said.
“It was really unfortunate that Justin wasn’t able to make the A-Final run in Perth, it would have been really nice to see both cars going side-by-side into the fours. That is racing though unfortunately.
“I am definitely not comfortable in the lead heading to Dragway at The Bend with just 20 points between Justin and me though, that is for sure.”
McMillin has big predictions for Nitro Funny Car’s debut at the new South Australian venue.
“We are very, very excited about going to Dragway at The Bend,” he said.
“It is obviously daunting that it is a new place for us to race and this car has still only done two events, so we don’t have a lot of information to start with.
“We will go down there and do everything we can to make sure we go down the track. All reports from the opening event with Top Fuel in October was that the track was absolutely outstanding, so we are definitely excited to see what we can do there.
“As far as predictions, I think both Brandon Gosbell and Adam Murrihy are due for a huge event. Those two are going to be two to watch; they are both showing glimpses of amazing form but haven’t quite got it all together when it counted, but I would say to watch them closely in Adelaide for sure.
“Of course, if we could win, well, there is only ever one first right? So to be the first ones to win in Nitro Funny Car at Dragway at The Bend would be very cool for our team.
“And as far as our championship campaign goes, if we do manage to pull of a win then it would be huge in terms of the title chase to be able to go into the last couple of rounds with a good lead.
“Having said that, there are five really good cars now and you cannot count anyone out for even a moment,” he concluded, while thanking Aeroflow and Graeme and Wendy Cowin.
The Festival State Nationals at Dragway at The Bend will host NDRC racing for not only the 11,000hp/500kph Nitro Funny Cars, but also Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Alcohol and the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship across January 13-14.
Before it does however, Australia’s best sportsman racers will compete at Portland’s South Coast Raceway (January 6-7) for Western conference points in the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.
For event info, go to ndrc.tv
