The top qualifier at the Nitros received a bonus $2500 and a special “Louie Rapisarda Memorial Trophy”. Louie was the son of Santo Rapisarda who passed away in a racing accident twenty years ago and as a mark of respect Santo put up the bonus. Here he (at left) who is being congratulated by ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton while in the middle trophy winner, Darren Morgan tells the assembled crowd what an honour it was to win the trophy.

Having known Louie Rapisarda I am struck by how much Mark Mariani reminds me of him. His father, Mario use to race against Louie’s father, Santo firstly in sedans in the sixties and seventies and then top fuel dragsters in the eighties. Mark, though technically a rookie, really was born to drive, showing skills and aptitude more fitting a journeyman racer. On watch run I watched him being strapped into the car he sat with his eyes closed going through the run in his mind before entering the water box and going on to win the race. I am sure that this will not be the last time that he finds himself in the winners circle.