Dragway At The Bend has again proved it’s the domain for record setters after the venue added another Australian Record to its credentials in its relatively short operating life. Damian Muscat aboard his Nitro Phoenix Top Fuel Motorcycle belted out a 5.800 at 245MPH (394.96KPH) to eclipse all who have come before him.
The ex-Sam Willis Top Fuel Bike has quickly lived up to its potential since Muscat returned to the bracket last season, teasing quick ETs despite a season of temperamental set backs as the Nitro Phoenix team transgressed the steep learning curve with the new bike.
During the off-season the team worked hard to address the issues during the bikes inaugural year that can read about here when Drag News spoke to Muscat before the event. https://dragnews.com.au/rise-of-the-nitro-phoenix/
After top qualifying with a soft 6.41, the team’s efforts during the off season paid off with a 6.05, but disaster struck in the braking area when Muscat had a hectic ride into the sand trap after the parachute did not deploy. Muscat was unharmed when the bike took a dive into the sand, however, the bike itself was a little scratched up and a monumental effort was undertaken to have it ready for round two of racing.
Bashed, bruised, and taped up, Muscat blew the pebbles out with a 6.12 in round two and prepared to face Rob Cassar in the Drag Bike Nationals A-Final. With a 1.04 in the sixty the battle scarred Nitro Phoenix was on a number, and at the stripe, history was made. Watch the run below.
Photos thanks to Snapshot Media / Ben Alexander
