After a challenging but necessary debut at the 2024 Winternationals, ‘The Pom’ Steve Read is putting that experience behind him and looking forward to a fresh start at Round 2 of the 2025 NDRC New Year Nitro at Willowbank Raceway this January 25–26.
Steve Read Racing heads into this weekend’s race with a renewed sense of focus and a clear goal: break into the 3-second zone and build on everything they’ve learned over the past year.
“It was a tough weekend (The Winternationals), but we needed to be there,” said Read. “We treated it as a learning opportunity, and while the result wasn’t what we wanted, it gave us the tools we need to move forward. We’re better prepared now, and we’re focused on breaking into the 3-second zone this weekend.”
Since the Winternationals, the team opted to completely rebuild the car, stabilise the crew line-up and await valuable parts, rather than risk going to Tailem Bend (Round 1) with the bare minimum.
“Steve Manning came on board as our MoTec data tech support, and after the issues we found at the Winters, he offered to completely re-wire the car where we found a host of issues we’d inherited. In the meantime, we’ve slowly built up our parts inventory and given the crew more hands-on time at the race shop to get more familiar with this new car,” Read said.
“We chose not to rush the process and coming into this weekend, it’s the most prepared we’ve felt in a long time.”
Perhaps the most important change for Steve Read Racing heading into this weekend is the return of Ray Ward as Crew Chief.
While Ward was meant to be at the Winternationals, health issues kept him from being there. This weekend, however, he’s back, and his return feels like “getting the band back together” for the team affectionately dubbed ‘Team Orange’. Having worked together at Rapisarda Racing in the past, Read and Ward share a chemistry that has proven successful and will be key to their future success.
“Ray and I have worked together for years, and having him back feels like we’re getting back to what we do best,” Read explains. “We know how each other works, and now we’re ready to make it happen. Ray’s leadership brings a stability that we need as a team, and I’m confident we’ll take the next step with him back in charge.”
Support from Walkers Turf Supplies has been another key element in the team’s success. Ian, Jacob, and Nick Walker have provided more than just sponsorship; they’ve been a part of the team, offering hands-on help and contributing their time and energy to the operation.
“The Walkers are an essential part of this team,” says Read. “Their involvement goes beyond being sponsors. They bring a great work ethic and enthusiasm to the team – they’re a very hands-on family and I’m so grateful to have them on our team.”
Racing in Queensland’s heat in January is never easy, but with Willowbank’s newly resurfaced track and a well-prepared car, Steve Read Racing is confident they can meet the challenge.
“Summertime in South-East Queensland can be brutal, but these are conditions we’ve faced before,” Read said. It’s a stout field out there this weekend with the Rapisarda cars, Xibberas and Phil Read. They’ve got a lot more recent data than us, and we’ll be doing our best to be equal parts aggressive and smart with what the conditions will allow. We’ll be out there to turn on win lights.”
For Steve Read Racing, this weekend is all about breaking through. The goal is to hit that first 3-second pass and set the foundation moving forward. Once they hit that milestone, the team seeks to string more A to B passes together and build on their program.
Saturday’s 100-foot shutoff test pass at 4 pm will give the team a chance to verify all systems before Q1 at 6:30 pm, where they’ll kick off their campaign for the weekend. The first pass will be critical, and from there, the team will start the push for that elusive 3-second run.
“Getting this new car into the 3-second zone is high up the list this weekend, “ Read said. “It would be awesome to do it in front of our home crowd and hopefully snag a round win in there by Sunday night. It’s time to get after it, “ Read smiled.
