Two thrilling days and nights of National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) action have wrapped up in spectacular fashion at the 54th annual Westernationals, lighting up a packed Perth Motorplex well into Sunday evening.
Fans were treated to back-to-back excitement with a second day and night of group one and sportsman racing, headlined by Top Fuel – with these 11,000hp, 500kph monsters making their only trip to the West in 2025 for round three of their NDRC Championship chase.
Top Doorslammer and Top Fuel Motorcycle competitors also put on a show, battling it out in their own NDRC championship rounds alongside eleven fiercely contested Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship brackets.
In Top Fuel Motorcycle, Damian Muscat and Wayne McGuinness headed to the A-Final after taking two wins apiece, making for a highly competitive final match-up.
When all was said and done, Muscat drove all the way for a 6.448-second 308.77kph win over McGuinness (8.326/193.81), whose run had started strong before he ran into trouble mid-way through and chose to back off.
Muscat had earlier enjoyed a bye in round one thanks to his Top Qualifying effort, running a 6.625-second 252.07kph, before another solo pass in round two, where complete with fireworks from his Nitro Phoenix racer he delivered a 6.209-second 307.42kph run.
Despite a wheel stand to the 800ft line in round one, McGuinness (6.561/296.92kph) got the better of Greg Durack (7.795/319.07kph) in round one, before running solo in round two (8.401/203.16kph) when Corey Buttigieg was pushed back from the start.
While he didn’t get down into the lauded fives this weekend, Muscat was happy with the win, especially considering the fact that he was plagued with engine issues all weekend.
“We’ll take the win!” Muscat smiled as he was handed the Gold NDRC Christmas Tree trophy after the A-Final.
“The JTS rocketship was giving us drama all weekend, and we’re on our third engine for the weekend.
“Thanks to the crew for all of their work to put on a good show for the crowd, and thanks to the crowd for being here and for their support.”
In all, more than 160 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship racers across eleven brackets raced for valuable championship points, with the following racers claiming NDRC Gold and Silver Christmas Tree trophies in their respective brackets: Jake Chaisty over Todd Stacy (Super Stock), Connor McClure over Jon Ferguson (Competition), Lisa Garbellini over Daniel Brecich (Super Street), Kyle Higgins over Michael North (Super Sedan), Kasey McClure over Peter Appleby (Supercharged Outlaws), Tony Ambrosini over Paul De Klerk (Modified Bike), Nixon Cannuli over Nathaniel Kuchel (Junior Dragster), Riley Kilvington over Tyler James (Junior Drag Bike), Chris Allen over Michael Holister (Competition Bike), and Yvette Gregg over Roger Moorhouse (Top Sportsman). In Modified Eliminator, Paul Garbellini won the event over Michelle Morrison, however Paul is ineligible for NDRC points or trophies due to his personal decision to not carry the required championship decal as per the rules and regulations.
The 2024/2025 NDRC season continues across April 5-6 at Dragway at The Bend for the Riverbend Nationals with Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer and Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship taking to the track.
The Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs will then follow in Sydney on May 2-4, headlined by Top Fuel and XPRO Nitro Funny Car alongside the full range of group one categories plus the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.
