Katarina “Kat” Moller lost her life on Thursday, Nov. 15, in an accident at Sebring International Raceway while making an exhibition run in her “American Dream” jet-powered dragster. The 24-year-old Moller had been part of Larsen Motorsports for five years.

Reportedly, the parachute failed to deploy at the end of a pass on a temporary eighth-mile drag strip set up on the famed road course’s main straightaway. Authorities investigating the crash said the accident was probably caused by a piece of debris that struck her helmet.

The funeral will be held Monday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Epiphany Cathedral Church in downtown Venice, FL, with burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sarasota Memorial Park.

Our deepest sympathies to family and friends for this tragic loss. [11/19/18]

From left: Gerald McDornan, Matthew Guy, Maurice Allen, and Lachlan Craven.

Liberal Nationals coalition leader Matthew Guy has promised to build the “Colosseum of Drag Racing” in Melbourne, Australia, if he wins government in this weekend’s Victorian State election (Saturday, Nov. 24).

Guy made the announcement in Melbourne, promising to spend AUD $10m (USD $7m) to find and purchase a suitable site before committing another AUD $30m (USD $21m) for its construction.

Guy’s announcement follows meetings held between the Opposition leader and second-generation drag racing official Lachlan Craven, reigning Pro Bike champion Maurice Allen, and long-time media representative Gerald McDornan, with the trio having presented a proposal for the facility.

Allen said although the announcement hinges on Saturday’s state election, it was still a historic day for the sport with the return of the annual Australian Nationals to Melbourne first on the list of priorities.

“This is a great day for our sport and we’d like to thank Mr. Guy and his team for seeing the benefits of this particular project. Today’s announcement is incredible in what it means for so many passionate competitors, spectators, and enthusiasts,” Allen said. [11/19/18]

Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, Donnie Couch (right) and Darr Hawthorne (left) bring on the November Nitro Reports with Scrappers Racing Top Fueler Mike Salinas, former DRO AA/FC Challenge series champion John Hale, Pat Austin, Mendy Fry and Tom Shelar from High Speed Motorsports.

Check into NitroReports.com or the Nitro Reports FaceBook page at 6 p.m. (Pacific) and always available in the archives.   [11/19/18]

BONINFANTE FRICTION, INC., clutch manufacturer for NHRA Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car, has taken their indestructible nitro transmission shaft technology and made it available to the Ford world with the Boninfante Friction Ford 6R80 Intermediate Shaft. Boninfante’s high-strength shaft is made specifically for the Ford 6R80 6-speed automatic transmission used in 2009 and up Ford F150 pickup trucks and 2011-2017 Ford Mustangs. Born from top fuel technology, the Boninfante Ford 6R80 Intermediate Shaft is manufactured in-house in Pennsylvania, to the same high standards as Boninfante’s 10,000 horsepower nitro shafts and feature industry-leading materials and processing. Made from high-strength alloy to Boninfante’s exacting tolerances; Three-step heat treatment; and Proprietary anti-fatigue finishing process.   [11/19/18]