Australian Top Fuel Champion wants Hidden Valley Record

Reigning ANDRA Top Fuel Champion Damien Harris can’t wait to rocket his 10,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster along Hidden Valley Drag Strip when he and Rapisarda Autosport International teammate Wayne Newby make some noise this weekend.

As part of the Nitro Up North event July 17-18 featuring Round 1 of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series national championship for Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer, Harris and Newby will pilot the first ever Top Fuel dragsters to run at the venue in four exhibition passes over two days giving Territorians a taste of fire breathing nitro. 

The one-two punch of 2015 Champion Harris and Championship runner up Newby will put on a show by making what will be the quickest ever passes at Hidden Valley Drag Strip. 

“It’ll be great to be part of the first ever Fuel cars to run at Hidden Valley and I’d like nothing more than for Santo Rapisarda Jr (Crew Chief) and I to walk away with some sort of track record,” he said. 

“I’m very keen to see what it’s like and put on a really great show for the fans and Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association as they’ve gone to a lot of expense to get the team up there.” 

Following investment by the local Government, Chief Minister Adam Giles will be in attendance. Harris is keen to show Mr Giles what Top Fuel is all about in hopes of making the trip north an annual event.

“I know how important it is with the Chief Minister Adam Giles coming to watch and hopefully we can turn the event in Darwin into something like the Winternationals in the future.”

The flame throwing, nitro burning Rapisarda Autosport International Top Fuel dragsters of Damien Harris and Wayne Newby will make one pass on Friday July 17 with a further three passes on Saturday July 18.

Qualifying action for Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer kicks off from 6:00pm on Friday and race day eliminations commence from 5:00pm on Saturday (local track championship Sportsman qualifying continues from 3pm Saturday). 

Image: Luke Nieuwhof / Drag News Australia

ANDRA Drag Racing Series - Round 1
Featuring Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer & Top Fuel Exhibition
17-18 July 2015
Full event details at www.hiddenvalleydrags.com/events/andra2015