A packed weekend of horsepower and flames lit up Warwick Dragway as racers and fans gathered for the return of Nitro on the Downs on February 21. The now annual event once again proved why it has become a highlight on the regional drag racing calendar, blending grassroots sportsman racing with the thundering Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars.
Saturday’s schedule began with sportsman qualifying from mid-morning before the action ramped up in the afternoon as racing commenced across a wide variety of brackets. Competitors contested classes including Blown Outlaws, Quick ET, Radial, Fast Street, Street, Drag Bike, Super Twins, Warwick Gassers and Young Guns, all battling through the event’s round-robin “Chicago Shootout” format before the finals decided the event winners.
As darkness fell, the atmosphere lifted another level with the headline attraction — the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car match races. The nitro-burning machines thundered down the quarter mile in three scheduled rounds delivering the thunderous sound, flames and tyre smoke that fans had been waiting for.
ROUND ONE
The opening round immediately set the tone for the night as Morice McMillin unleashed the Nitro Express in impressive fashion. McMillin stormed to a 5.42-second pass at 266mph (428km/h) to defeat Justin Walshe’s Terminator, which ran a 5.88 at 225mph (362km/h).
In the second match-up, Graeme Frawley’s towering King Kong funny car proved too strong when Christine Steffens was forced to abort her run in the Peirano Time Traveller Vega. Frawley cruised through with a solid 5.81-second pass at 246mph (396km/h) to secure the round win.
ROUND TWO
Round two produced one of the highlights of the night, with Justin Walshe and Christine Steffens staging side-by-side and both lighting the candles. Walshe’s Terminator powered through to a 5.69 at 237mph (381km/h), defeating Steffens’ early shut-off 6.29 at 179mph (288km/h).
The second pairing delivered a historic moment for the venue. Morice McMillin again impressed in Nitro Express, recording a 5.34 at 260mph (418km/h), but it was the side-by-side spectacle with King Kong that had the crowd roaring. Frawley charged down the strip with a blistering 5.49 at 267mph (430km/h), producing the quickest and fastest side-by-side pass ever recorded at Warwick Dragway.
FINAL ROUND
Consistency proved the key in the final round of racing. Graeme Frawley produced another strong performance in King Kong, running a 5.48 at 264mph (425km/h) to take the win after Justin Walshe’s Terminator lost traction shaking the tyres shortly after launch.
With the ladder set, Morice McMillin returned to the track for a solo bye run to close out the event. The Nitro Express team didn’t waste the opportunity, blasting to another outstanding 5.34-second pass at 257mph (414km/h) before stating ”Warwick, we’ll be back for that track record” to cap off a spectacular night of nitro racing.
Sportsman Results – Nitro on the Downs
Loy & Sons Earthmoving – Blown Outlaws
Dave Wilson set the benchmark in qualifying with a 7.281-second pass and carried that form dipping into the 6.90s through eliminations to take the event victory. Dave Glasson finished runner-up.
JSR Performance – Quick ET
Neil Maxwell dominated the Quick ET field, claiming top qualifying honours with a 7.435 before going on to secure the event win. Terry Mansfield-French finished runner-up.
Radial
James Horan led qualifying with a strong 4.756, but it was Scott Cortina who emerged victorious on race day, defeating Reece Carkeet in the final.
Fast Street
Bruce Hunt topped qualifying with a 9.545-second pass, while Michael Nicholls powered through the eliminations with his turbo LS1 proving boosted cars can bracket race to take the win over runner-up Scooter March.
Street
Jason Collins claimed top qualifying honours with a 13.065, but the final went the way of Allison Jannusch, who defeated Andrew Faulkner to take the class victory.
Gassers
Drue Hutchinson led the field in qualifying with a 9.590, however Nigel Elsmore took the race win with Rob McIntosh finishing runner-up.
STS Speed Shop – Drag & Street Bikes
Rachel Wilkins secured the top qualifying position with an 8.704-second pass. Alan Annis Jr went on to claim the event win over Alex King.
Wildcard Customs Super Twins – Harley & Race Bikes
Beau Strike headed the qualifying sheet with a 9.253, while Adam Hill rode to victory in the final against Travis Meyer.
Unreal Plates – Young Guns Dragster
Nixon King recorded the best reaction time in qualifying with a .0134. In the final, Jett Peirano claimed the win over runner-up Isabella Hunter.
Clint Swallings – Young Guns Bikes
Vanz Peirano topped qualifying with a .055 reaction time, while Nevaeh McDougall took the race win over Scarlett Mansfield-French.
The event again demonstrated the strength of the Warwick venue, which has become a favourite destination for racers and fans alike. Located at Morgan Park and operating since 1996, the track continues to grow in stature following recent upgrades that allow it to host select quarter-mile events alongside its traditional eighth-mile racing.
“Massive thanks to the whole Warwick Dragway crew — the event ran incredibly smoothly even with a few hiccups along the way,” said venue operator Matt Loy.
“A huge thank you also goes to all of the event and track sponsors who make Nitro on the Downs possible. To all the competitors and crews — with more than 150 Sportsman entries, you all put on an incredible show. The racing was tight and extremely competitive all weekend.
“A special thanks to G.C. and the entire Aeroflow team for bringing the Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars to Warwick. Seeing Morice McMillin, Justin Walshe and Graeme Frawley on track was something special. The Aeroflow Wheelstanders driven by Shelby Leahy, Greg Leahy and Josh Leahy were also a huge crowd favourite, along with Christine Steffens in the Peirano Time Traveller funny car.
“What a show we were all able to put on together.
“To our amazing crowd — thank you to every spectator who came through the gates. It was easily the biggest crowd Warwick Dragway has ever seen. Looking across and seeing fans lining the mound and the grandstand side for almost the entire eighth-mile was something really special – I think the canteen crew had their work cut out for them all day and night as well. To everyone who helped in any capacity, we truly appreciate it and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.
“And finally, thanks to the fantastic team from Overtaking Lane for delivering one of the best live streams in the business. Our commentators Phil and Diggles absolutely rocked the house. We hope everyone who couldn’t make it to the track enjoyed the stream as much as those who were there in person.”
Re-watch the event here on You Tube.
Photos courtesy of Suzanne Lee Photography
