After top qualifying on Friday, two-time champion Peter Xiberras and the PremiAir Hire Top Fuel Dragster have raced through to the Nitro Up North event victory and second in the 2022/2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship on Saturday evening.
Xiberras had a solo and lane choice for round one thanks to his TQ status, choosing the left lane to lay down a 4.011 second pass at 290miles per hour.
In round two, the PremiAir Hire Top Fuel Dragster lined upagainst championship rival Phil Read – with who Xiberras was tied for secondplace heading into this weekend.
By taking out the win over Read with a 4.025 second pass at 290 miles per hour, Xiberras not only progressed to the Nitro Up North A-Final, but knocked Read out of contention to secure second in the title points, which was solidified when new champion, Damien Harris, took his own round two win.
While Xiberras and the team had hearty congratulations for Harris and the Rapisarda team, they were determined to make sure he didn’t take home two trophies this weekend, and headed to the A-Final well determined to secure the event victory.
It was a re-match of the 2022 Nitro Up North A-Final when Xiberras and Harris lined up for tonight’s A-Final, and tonight, Xiberras took the victory – an exact flip of last year’s results where Harris took the even twin, while PremiAir Racing claimed the championship.
“We are so happy to get the Nitro Up North victory,”Xiberras said.
“We love racing in Darwin, and we came here knowing we needed a lot to fall our way to win the title, but full of confidence of giving it our absolute best shot.
“This is our second win of the season, and we could not be happier to be ending the 2022/2023 season on a high.
“Of course, we would have loved to also claim the Stan Sainty Cup, but we are full of momentum and vigour following this event win and we are more than ready to carry that into the new season when we start our championship pursuit a new. It is our intention to get that third title, and we won’t be giving up anytime soon.
“In the meantime, let us say congratulations to Damien Harris and the Rapisardas on a very well deserved win, and a heartfelt thank you to each and every member of our team.
They give us their all year-round and I cannot thank them enough for their efforts and their dedication as we race all around the country in the most demanding conditions. Thank you also to our fans and to our sponsors for all of their support, it is greatly appreciated.”
PremiAir Racing was competing with their long-time crew member, Richard Jakimowicz, in their thoughts this weekend.
“Richie has been with our team since day one, and he has worked with me even before I joined PremiAir Racing, and he has never missed a single event before now,” Crew Chief, Tim Adams, said.
“Richie lost his dad recently and so wasn’t able to be here this weekend, and our thoughts are with him.”
While Nitro Up North and the 2022/2023 Burson Auto PartsAustralian Top Fuel Championship season is now complete, there is still plenty for PremiAir Racing to do in Darwin.
The team’s Nulon Racing Camaros will be on track at HiddenValley Raceway tomorrow (Sunday 18 June) for races 14 and 15 of the SupercarsChampionship, with drivers Tim Slade (#23 Nulon Racing Camaro) and JimmyGolding (#31 Nulon Racing Camaro) on track at the drag strip tonight gathering inspiration for their Sunday exploits.
Back to back qualifying for races 14 and15 will be held from 9.30am, before the races themselves kick off at 11.50am and 3.25pm respectively. For event information, visit www.supercars.com.au
For more information on Nulon Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.twitter.com/premiairracing
