NATIONALS TREASURE

Words and photos by Jon Van Daal

Just as the US Nationals is the largest event on the NHRA calendar, so the “Big Go Downunder” - the ANDRA Fuchs Oils Nationals - is too. Well, it used to be. The Winternationals in June is now the biggest drag gig down under, and in years past the Australian Nationals was held mid-season – now it is held at the very start of the ANDRA calendar. While these changes have made for a different type of Nationals, the racing is still awesome.

Over 400 cars and bikes from all parts of Australia and New Zealand descended on Sydney Dragway under what were, for the most part, clear and sunny conditions. A few rain patches on Friday got things off to a stuttering start, but with only one major incident, some oil downs, and a few cars finding their way into the sand trap, the three day event ran like clockwork.

One addition to the track’s staff since the end of the last season is new drag racing manager Ray Treasure, who had hailed from the other side of the country (the Perth Motorplex). He had come over to run Sydney’s only dedicated dragstrip, and what a difference he has made. In years past many events ran late and over curfew but Treasure, with an eye for detail, made huge gains. This saw Saturday night qualifying actually finish ten minutes early – certainly making for a tighter show.

While this race looks pretty even off the line Bob Shepherd, in the far lane, shut his car off just past the tree handing Darren Morgan’s AEG Fuel dragster the win. Shepherd was late making it to the final but in a sign of good sportsmanship Morgan waited nearly ten minutes for the red fueller to tow around. Shepherd had done some damage in the previous round while Morgan had recently handed the crew chief’s position to 21 year old Ben Patterson who ably handled the pressure. For the record Morgan was off the line first and his 4.700/321.35 mph run all but crushed a second best 9.93. 

The 2010 Nationals was the biggest ever pay out for Mildura based fuel pilot, Darren Morgan. “This win is really fantastic. It is a tribute to my hard working family and crew”, he revealed. “We worked until 5am (on eliminations morning) putting together an engine together from what we had (left) after hurting some engines during qualifying. So this win is really special. I can not tell you what you what it means to win the Louie Rapisarda Tribute, the Nationals event and the Shannons’ deal.  We have some really good sponsors, but do not have the same (sponsorship) funds as some of the other (Top Fuel) teams. We are struggling but are doing the best we can with what we've got. We are doing this out of our back pocket with some help from some really good friends. ”Santo Rapisarda came up with the Louie Rapisarda Tribute to help other racers, the $10,000 prize money, the event win (prize) money and the $3000 from Shannons is going to help us no end, he conceded.”