As part of Dragway at The Bend’s grand opening Spring Nationals this weekend (October 21-22), the opening rounds of the 2023/2024 Top Fuel Motorcycle and Pro Stock Motorcycle Championships will launch into action.
These titans on two wheels will line-up at the brand-new Tailem Bend, SA facility alongside the Australian Top Fuel Championship and Top Doorslammer Championship, as well as 300+ of Australia’s best sportsman racers who will be competing for Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship points as part of the new National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC).
In Top Fuel Motorcycle, reigning champion Rob Cassar will take on last season’s title runner-up Benny Stevens, Aaron Deery, Kevin Gummow, Damian Muscat, Les Holden, Danny Rickard, Corey Buttigieg and Ian Ashelford in trying to take out the first ever TFM win at the new facility and claim the all-important first points of the new season.
“To win one Top Fuel Motorcycle championship was amazing, so if we could try and do it again, well that would see us part of a very select group of racers,” said Cassar, who will be racing his nitrous-powered Ballistic Performance Parts Kawasaki ZX14 this weekend.
“The competition this weekend will be really fierce. There are some talented people running this class and a few people returning. I think I will certainly be the underdog but will rely upon my consistency to deliver my best performance.
“I have a mix of excitement and apprehension given that I have not raced on the track before, but the facility looks amazing and the Shahins have done a magnificent job to bring this awesome sport back to SA in a big way
“The Spring Nationals has always been a great event and I have had some luck in the past having won the Springs in 2000 back when I raced Modified Bike, and I was also the runner-up to Tony Frost in Comp Bike in 2017 for this event.
“To win the event this year would be absolutely amazing, and it is always great to get a Gold Christmas Tree trophy! And of course, winning at the opening event of a new track comes with certain bragging rights and that would be pretty cool.
“This season is going to be tough so to win the first one would certainly let the rest of the competitors know that I am a contender,” Cassar concluded, while thanking Powerplus Racing Fuels – which recently became the team’s major sponsor following a decade of support – as well as key partners Denso Auto Parts, Shinko Tyres, Lucas Oil Australia, Jaxxon Wraps, Ballistic Performance Parts, Lectron Australia and Firecore Ignition leads Australia for their support.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, a stellar field will include Tony Frost, Glenn Wooster, Scott White, Daniel Rabnott, Luke Crowley and Locky Ireland.
Wooster in particular is one racer who has plenty to smile about heading into this weekend, having just launched a new look for his White Line Fever Drag Racing team.
“I am really looking forward to racing at this amazing new facility, which is now our closest track, only five hours away from home for us,” said Wooster.
“To be the first Pro Stock Motorcycle winner at this venue would mean making history, which would be fantastic. Our team will certainly be giving it our all to achieve our very best results as always.
“We would love to chase all rounds for the NDRC title – we have a proven motorcycle that has achieved great results in the past and have our sights focused on the full season.
“To take out the inaugural NDRC Pro Stock Motorcycle Australian Championship to add to the two Australian titles I already have would be brilliant.
“To start our new season off fresh in a new series we decided it was an ideal opportunity to create a new look for White Line Fever and incorporate the Australian flag into our design, which harks back to our ambassadorship program with Penrite Oils and most of our major sponsors being Australian companies.
“We have been really excited to unveil the new look in the lead up to the Spring Nationals,” he said, while thanking Ballistic Performance Parts, Clint Myers Forcewear Group, Wheelie Waste, AB Autos, Monster Race Products, Penrite Oils, and all his family and crew for their unwavering support.
“I would especially like to thank Chris Philp from Wheelie Waste and Al Barnette from AB Autos for their support in pushing forward a new concept for White Line Fever Drag Racing this season. Chris and Flo are steadfast friends supporting the team for over 10 years and have always invested in ways that has been hugely appreciated over the years,” Wooster added.
The Spring Nationals will be held at Dragway at The Bend across October 21-22, hosing Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Australia’s best sportsman racers.
For the Top Fuel Championship opener, six Top Fuel racers and their incredible 11,000+hp flame-throwing racing machines will head to Dragway at The Bend set on getting their 2023/2024 season off to the best possible start.
The field is world-class, with reigning champion Damien Harris to line-up for Rapisarda Autosport International against four former champions (Phil Lamattina, Lamattina Top Fuel Racing; Wayne Newby, Rapisarda Autosport International; Phil Read, Jim Read Racing; and Peter Xiberras, PremiAir Racing), as well as impressive series newcomer, Kyle Putland (Hydraulic Technical Solutions).
In Doorslammer, no less than 12 Top Doorslammers will take part, including former champions including the legendary John Zappia, Daniel Gregorini and Peter Kapiris, as well as Doorslammer stars Matt Abel, Ronnie Palumbo and Russell Taylor, as well as Adam Tassone, Pat Carbone, Peter Lovering and Scott Ferguson.
For Australian Top Fuel Championship information, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au
For information on the NDRC, visit www.nationaldragracing.com.au
For Dragway at The Bend and Spring Nationals event information, visit www.thebend.com.au/dragway
