John Cannuli (Loganholme, QLD - Top Alcohol), John Zappia (Bibra Lake, WA – Top Doorslammer), Chris Matheson (The Gap, QLD - Top Fuel Motorcycle), Nino Cavallo (Narre Warren, VIC – Pro Stock) and Corey Buttigieg (Bacchus Marsh, VIC – Pro Stock Motorcycle) all lifted the most prestigious trophy in Australian Drag Racing, the ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree.

John Cannuli

Runner up at Hidden Valley earlier in the season, Cannuli won his first ever Gold Tree event top qualifying and finishing the job in the final against Gary Busch.

Both Cannuli and Busch left the start line with near identical reaction times but points leader Cannuli went on to record the quickest Top Alcohol pass of the weekend with a 5.626 elapsed time at 253.42 mph to a slowing Busch on an 8.072 at 111.58 mph.

“These are few and far between, we’re going to cherish this one – this is our first Nationals event win and we got another track record,” said Cannuli.

“Mate, any win is a win. We’ve been chasing this race track all weekend but we made it right and got it right for the final and I’m going to take this trophy home – there’s going to be a lot of Corona drinking tonight.”