Over 240 entrants rolled into 13220 Motorsports Warwick Dragway for the annual 1/8th Mile Dragfest — one of the biggest short-track drag racing events in the country.
Across three action-packed days, the laid-back, family-style atmosphere once again set the tone for a fantastic weekend of racing. With the entry list capped at 240, demand was huge — more than 50 racers were left on the reserve list, eager to join the fun.
Thanks to the incredible support from racers and sponsors, Warwick Dragway handed out an impressive $22,000 in prize money, proudly backing the competitors and presenting the stunning Unreal Plates Dragfest Trophies.
Around 2,500 spectators packed in across the weekend to catch the action, kicking off Friday with Day 1 qualifying — which also featured the SFM Concrete Pumping & Spraying Radial Shootout. The 16-car field put it all on the line with a $200 buy-in and a guaranteed $6,000 prize pool up for grabs.
Saturday night kept the good times rolling with the annual Racer & Crew Party, complete with a hearty BBQ and live tunes from local favourites Fine Tuned, proving once again to be a crowd favourite.
SFM Radial Shootout
Round 1 kicked off right on 6pm, setting the tone for an epic night of racing. First up, James Horan in his twin-turbo Hemi-powered Toyota Hilux faced off against Mark Tralau’s twin-turbo BBC Chevy Malibu Wagon. After near-identical reaction times, Horan’s FKNBLK ute stormed down the 1/8th mile to an impressive 4.41 @ 168 MPH on 275 radials.
Next, Andrew Lange’s twin-turbo SBC Torana proved too quick, clocking a 5.190 @ 140 MPH to take the win over Adam Sommerville’s blown small-block Chev Holden Ute, which ran 6.035 @ 118 MPH.
In an all-Holden showdown, Travis Wakeling’s blown methanol HQ Wagon took the win over Kris Russel, before Michael Adams in his twin-turbo Mustang ran a clean 4.80 @ 155 MPH to defeat Garry Millgate’s N/A SBF Ford Coupe (6.071 @ 121 MPH).
Adam Kruger’s Chev Chevelle turned in a solid 5.89 to advance after Dale Gridley battled tyre smoke down the strip. Meanwhile, Scott Cortina’s procharged HG Holden, powered by a 481X, cruised to a 4.91 on 235 radials, beating Steve Carkeet’s stunning nitrous SBC LX Torana (5.39 @ 128 MPH). Damien Boyce rounded out the round with a solo pass, laying down a tidy 4.78 @ 151 MPH.
Round 2
The action ramped up as Michael Adams met James Horan in a must-watch matchup. Horan unleashed a blistering 4.21 @ 191 MPH, too strong for Adams’ massive wheelstanding Mustang.
Scott Cortina then threw down one of the standout passes of the night — a 4.44 @ 168 MPH with a 1.21 60ft on 235 radials — edging out Boyce’s twin-turbo Chevy Nova (4.74 @ 151 MPH).
Andrew Lange’s turbo Torana moved on after taking the win over Wakeling’s blown HQ, which earned a roar from the crowd for an epic 200-foot burnout. Adam Kruger drew the bye run and cruised through to the next round.
Round 3
Horan’s FKNBLK Hilux kept the momentum rolling, running 4.255 @ 179 MPH to take the win over Lange’s consistent Torana (5.011 @ 142 MPH). Cortina followed with another killer 60-foot — 1.19 on 235 radials — and an early shut-off 4.56 to dispatch Kruger’s 6.22.
Final – SFM Concrete Pumping & Spraying Radial Shootout
In a fitting finale, James Horan dropped jaws with a record-breaking pass — 4.03 @ 198 MPH with a stunning 1.11 60ft, setting a new Warwick Dragway 1/8th-mile record for a sedan on a 275 radial! Scott Cortina wasn’t far behind, clocking 4.60 @ 150 MPH, but the night belonged to Horan.
He walked away with $5,000 for the win, while Cortina pocketed $1,000 as runner-up — wrapping up an unforgettable shootout at Dragfest.
R.D.W Excavator Parts & QLD Rock Breakers Blown Outlaws
After one qualifying session on Friday night and more runs throughout Saturday, Christine Steffans set the pace in her blown big-block Chev dragster, claiming Top Qualifier honours with a stout 4.21 @ 166 MPH. Rounding out the top three were David Glasson, who ran 4.24 @ 174 MPH in his blown Hemi dragster, and Makenzie Garside, who eased his twin-turbo 481X Pro Mod Mustang to a smooth 4.26 @ 180 MPH.
In eliminations, Steve Cini in his blown Ford coupe faced a strong field on his way to the final. In Round 1, he advanced after David Glasson was forced to shut off on the line with no reverse, running a 5.50 on a 5.42 dial-in. Round 2 saw Cini nail a sharp .019 reaction time and run 5.54 on a 5.49 dial, taking out Christine Steffans, who ran 4.244 on a 4.20 with a .071 reaction.
On the other side of the ladder, Brian Thomas in his blown SBC Camaro opened Round 1 with a .073 light and a 5.15 on a 5.10 dial-in. Round 2 saw him move past Reece Northfield’s blown altered after Northfield red-lit and broke out with a 4.21 on a 4.30. In Round 3, Thomas laid down a 5.16 on a 5.10, defeating Garside’s early shut-off 5.01.
The final last battle came down to two blown sedans — Steve Cini versus Brian Thomas. Cini was deadly on the tree with a .005 reaction, backing it up with a 5.55 on a 5.50 dial-in to seal the win. Thomas gave chase with a .185 light and a 5.18 on a 5.10 dial, but it wasn’t enough to catch Cini, who took home the Blown Outlaws victory in style.
Gazzard Brothers Elite Radial
Dale Gridley topped the qualifying sheets in style with a 4.63 @ 159 MPH in his unique twin-turbo big-block Chevy–powered Valiant ute. Damien Boyce followed closely with a 4.73 @ 151 MPH, while Mark Tralau rounded out the top three with a 5.14.
In round one Gridley earned the bye run and made it count — after a stellar 1.22 60-foot for the hefty Valiant, he laid down a 4.58 @ 162 MPH, setting a new personal best.
Leigh Darke’s 5.39 wasn’t enough to stop Damien Boyce, who kept up his reputation as Mr. Consistent with a 4.70 @ 152 MPH. Meanwhile, James Horan thrilled the Saturday night crowd with a thunderous 4.07 @ 199.7 MPH to take his match-up.
Round 2 (Sunday Morning), on a hot 125-degree track, Boyce once again proved consistent, clocking another 4.70 with a crisp 1.14 60-foot. The round’s big upset came when Dale Gridley took down James Horan, running a 4.63 @ 161 MPH to Horan’s 5.41. Horan had left hard with a 1.15 60-foot, but his run was cut short after breaking an input shaft on the gear change.
In round three, despite mechanical setbacks, Horan returned with a fresh gearbox and converter, putting down a solid 4.55 @ 185 MPH on a scorching 140-degree track, but staging issues with having needing two goes to bump in cost him.
When the dust settled, Dale Gridley emerged victorious, claiming the Gazzard Brothers Elite Radial Class win, with Damien Boyce finishing runner-up.
Unreal Plates 28s vs 275
Nine racers hit the track for the Unreal Plates 28s vs 275 class — a heads-up, pro tree category run on a 4.90 index, limited to 28×10.5-inch slicks or 275 radials.
Michael Adams set the pace in qualifying, taking the Top Qualifier spot with a 4.91 @ 151 MPH in his powerful Mustang.
Round 1 saw Andrew Lange clock a sharp 4.96 @ 144 MPH to defeat Kris Russell’s 5.41 @ 142 MPH. In Round 2, Lange backed it up with a 5.000 on a bye run, then went on to take Round 3 with a tidy 5.03, beating the tyre-smoking Pro HR.
Meanwhile, Adams Racing began with a solo in Round 1, accepting the tree and moving through. In Round 2, Adams unleashed a big power wheelie before an early click-off 5.45, then followed up with a strong 5.03 in the heat to overcome Kris Russell’s 6.20 in Round 3.
Final
The final came down to a Mustang vs Torana showdown — Michael Adams against Andrew Lange in his twin-turbo SBC Torana. Adams cut a sharp .071 reaction and ran 4.98 @ 140 MPH, edging out Lange’s .095 light and 5.015 @ 143 MPH to take the Unreal Plates 28s vs 275 victory.
Hutchison Quarries Radial 6.00
Garry Millgate topped the qualifying sheets in the 14-car field with a sharp 6.012 on the 6.00 index, setting the bar high for eliminations.
Round 1 delivered some tight racing, with Rob Armstrong taking home the class win in a nail-biter against Toowoomba’s Terry Bellette. Armstrong’s 6.140 @ .078 reaction narrowly edged out Bellette’s 6.137 @ .115, giving the crowd a photo-finish showdown.
The 6.00 Index proved to be a fan favourite — close, heads-up racing at its best, with drivers and spectators alike loving the intense, side-by-side competition.
Hopes Body Repairs Modified
Benita Marchant came out firing, topping the qualifying sheets with a 4.922 @ 139 MPH after four strong qualifying passes.
After three rounds of tight racing, the final saw Jon Sting line up against Tai Glasson. Sting’s sharp .034 reaction and an early shut-off 5.03 on a 4.96 dial-in sealed the deal, edging out Glasson’s .176 light and 5.49 on a 5.43 dial-in for the win.
Performance Wholesales Super Sedan
Neil Maxwell set the pace in the 24-car field, top qualifying in his big-cube GTO Pontiac with a strong 4.74 @ 148 MPH.
Michael Schaper slotted into second with a 5.47 @ 127 MPH, followed by Ismet Vojic, whose tidy Torana ran a 5.62 @ 126 MPH. Both Schaper and Vojic went undefeated through three rounds of racing to meet each other in the final.
Unfortunately for Vojic, a red light start in the left lane spoiled a near-perfect run of 5.63 on a 5.62 dial-in, handing the win to Schaper, who cut a sharp .064 reaction and ran 5.497 on a 5.45 dial-in.
The victory marked three Dragfest wins in a row for Michael Schaper, cementing his dominance in the class.
South East Services Fast Street
With over 80 entrants in Fast Street this year, the class was split into two brackets, A and B, featuring everything from street-machine show cars to budget-friendly builds. Fast Street runs on a 5.90 to 8.50-second range under Dial Your Own Racing rules. Tony Bennett topped qualifying overall in his tough blue Torana with a 6.07 @ 114 MPH, while the 40th qualifier in Fast Street A ran a 7.37 @ 93 MPH, highlighting the diversity of the field.
In Fast Street A eliminations, Trevor Owen and Jason Cocking fought their way to the final. Owen started strong in Round 1, recording a .074 reaction and running 6.97 on a 6.94 dial-in to edge out A. Bird’s -.048 R/T and 7.46 on a 7.33 D/I. Round 2 saw Owen nearly perfect with a .009 reaction and a 6.981 on a 6.93 dial-in, defeating Nick Bellette’s 6.77 on a 6.60 D/I. In Round 3, Owen hit his dial-in precisely with a 6.941 on a 6.94 D/I, taking down Shaun Matthews’ nitrous-assisted 355 Holden-powered one-tonner ute from Stanthorpe.
Jason Cocking matched the pace, opening Round 1 with a .034 reaction and a 6.74 on a 6.66 dial-in. Round 2 saw him repeat the performance with another .034 reaction and a 6.76 on a 6.66 D/I, defeating local racer Gavin Hart, who ran 6.751 on a 6.70 D/I. Cocking continued his consistency in Round 3 with an excellent .018 reaction, running 6.703 on a 6.70 D/I to advance to the final.
The final was a thrilling heads-up battle between Owen and Cocking. Owen cut a .024 reaction and ran 6.97 on a 6.94 dial-in, narrowly holding off Cocking, who ran 6.78 on a 6.70 D/I with a -.023 reaction. Trevor Owen claimed the Fast Street A victory.
Fast Street B featured qualifiers from 40th to 80th position, running 7.37 to 8.48 ET. Tom Ryan was flawless through eliminations, winning all three rounds and running 7.445 on a 7.44 dial-in in Round 3 to secure a spot in the final against Wayne Perkins, who also posted three straight wins with a 7.802 on a 7.80 D/I.
In the final, Perkins left first with a slower .382 reaction compared to Ryan’s .114, and Ryan’s 7.49 on a 7.42 D/I secured the win over Perkins’ 7.75 on a 7.80.
The Fast Street B winner then faced off against the Fast Street A champion for the overall South East Services Fast Street title. Ryan took off first with a .115 reaction, but Trevor Owen in his little Holden six-cylinder Torana reacted quicker with a .044, running 6.966 on a 6.94 D/I to claim the overall win over Ryan’s 7.47 on a 7.42 D/I.
Warwick Hotel Street
Twenty entrants hit the strip at 1320 Motorsports Warwick Dragway for the Warwick Hotel Bracket at Dragfest 2025. This class, running 8.50 seconds and slower, showcased a mix of daily drivers, 4WDs, and hotted-up classics.
Lee Jensen topped qualifying in his striking Holden HQ Wagon with an 8.523, narrowly ahead of A. Casbolt in second with an 8.56, and R. Wernowski in third at 8.677.
After three solid rounds of racing, Jensen met Daniel Schaper in the final, Schaper piloting his 4WD. With near-identical reaction times, Jensen chased down Schaper for the win, running a perfect 8.500 on an 8.50 dial-in in the Holden Wagon, while Schaper crossed the line with 11.239 on an 11.15 D/I.
STS Speed Shop Drag Bike
STS Speed Shop Drag Bike Top Qualifier was Ricky McDougall with a 5.61 @ 124, 2nd was Alan Annis Jnr with a 5.71 @ 122 and in 3rd place Matt Halpin from St George with a 6.077. In the finals Alan Annis Jnr was to good for Ricky McDougall with a .068 and 5.740 on a 5.68 to a .390 r/t 5.614 on his 5.60 dial in.
Clint Swallings Street Bike
Anthony Anderson led the Street Bike field in qualifying with a 6.51 on his classic Kawasaki, closely followed by Phil Halpin on the Vmax with a 6.52 and Christopher Schaper on the BMW with a 6.79.
The finals came down to a family showdown between Cody Macleod and his uncle Brendon Macleod. Cody had been sharp all weekend on his Yamaha, starting with a Round 1 win over Chris Schaper, cutting a .073 reaction and running 9.204 on a 9.18 dial-in, just ahead of Schaper’s .078 reaction and 6.822 on a 6.80 D/I. In Round 2, Cody took out top qualifier Anthony Anderson, and in Round 3, he posted a .023 reaction with a close 9.230 on a 9.18 D/I.
In the final pairing, Cody’s lightning .001 reaction beat Brendon’s .191, and he crossed the line with a 9.32 on a 9.18 D/I, defeating Brendon’s 9.13 on an 8.85 D/I to claim the Troy Macleod Memorial Trophy.
Scott Coggins Painters Warwick Gassers
The Warwick Gassers delivered another spectacular show for the crowd, with 12 Gassers rolling into the pits in their usual style, all staged together in Gasser Alley. The convoy from the pits to the staging lanes set the tone for the day, and fans were treated to plenty of big burnouts, wheels-up launches, and thrilling dry hops. Vintage Gassers QLD never fail to put on a crowd-pleasing performance.
Ashley Murrel topped qualifying in the iconic Mighty Mouse Toyota Gasser with a 6.57, while Tracy Combe secured second in the Chevy Nova with a 6.68.
After winning all three of their elimination rounds, Peter Klockner and Ashley Murrel met in the final. Klockner jumped the start with a -.006 red light, handing the victory to Murrel and the Mighty Mouse Toyota in a well-earned win.
South East Services Powder Puff
The Powder Puff class continues to grow, with 16 entrants competing in this ladies-only category, featuring cars from fast-street builds to stock classics and daily drivers, all running 6.50 seconds and slower.
Kristyn Zell topped qualifying in her Ford Ute with a 7.294, closely followed by Leonie Sommerville in her SBC-blown HJ Holden at 7.298, and Lana Rice in her trusty Holden Torana rounding out the top three with a 7.43.
After three rounds of racing, Skylah Wagensveld claimed the win, running a 9.21 on a 9.03 dial-in, defeating Lana Rice, who unfortunately red-lit and broke out with a 7.40 on a 7.43.
B.P West Warwick Young Guns
Nineteen Young Guns Dragsters made for an exciting field and some thrilling racing, with both Young Guns Bikes and Dragsters drawing strong participation.
Lexie Lancaster claimed Top Qualifier, cutting an almost perfect .002 reaction time.
The finals featured an all-Peirano showdown, pitting brother Nash Peirano against sister Lucia Peirano. Lucia left first with a .098 reaction and dialed in at 8.69, while Nash ran 8.06 with a .111 reaction. In a double breakout finish, Lucia took the win with an 8.658, pushing Nash to a larger breakout at 8.013. The Rockhampton team put on a fantastic display of family rivalry and skill.
Rose City Tyres Young Guns Bikes
Vanz Peirano stole the show in qualifying, cutting a perfect .000 reaction time, earning $400 thanks to the Gibson Family, who sponsored the perfect reaction prize.
Peirano carried that form into eliminations, taking the win in the final with a .052 reaction and running 11.12 on a 10.97 dial-in, defeating Jonathon Fulton, who red-lit.
Stewart Prior brought some nitro flair to Dragfest with his AA/FA and had the candles lit on a debut 1.03 60ft launch pass.
Check out some cool video action captured from the event.
