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Rapisarda Autosport International go 1-2-3 at Willowbank Raceway

Rapisarda Autosport International swept the field taking the top three places at the New Year’s Thunder meeting at Willowbank Raceway, Jan 4.

Reigning fuel champ Wayne Newby defeated Damien Harris on a holeshot the final of Top Fuel and Californian Ashley Sanford grabbed third place ahead of two-time champ Phil Read.

“It was a great result for our team," Said Team principal Santo Rapisarda. “I was delighted to see Ashley run a personal best. I also want to thank all the boys and girls who worked on the cars and behind the scenes  in the hot and very humid conditions.”

 RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL READY TO RING IN NEW YEAR AT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY.

The first Top Fuel meeting of 2020 will see each member of RAI, Wayne Newby, Damien Harris and Ashley Sanford, bring a differing agenda to the New Year’s Thunder meeting at Willowbank Raceway, January 4.

Reigning 400 Thunder champ, Newby, returns to the venue for the first time since winning the Winternationals and clinching his second 400 Thunder title in June. His title defence got off to a strong start at the East Coast Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway, November where he top qualified and finished runner-up to Sydney racer Peter Xiberras in the final.

Willowbank Raceway is also home to where Harris tasted victory at the 2018 Winternationals with a 3.77/525 km/h pass, the quickest time and fastest speed for 1000 feet ever witnessed outside of North America. His 2019 season was derailed by a multitude of frustrating and niggling mechanical issues until bouncing back with a strong performance at the ECT meeting. Harris qualified second defeated veteran Phil Read and narrowly lost to Xiberras in the semi-final.

Prestigous Top Fuel Tropy to be Presented at Gulf Western Oils Winternationals

After meeting in Sydney yesterday, Willowbank Raceway and the Rapisarda family have announced that the prestigious Louie Rapisarda Trophy will be awarded to the winner of Speedflow Top Fuel Eliminator at the 52nd Gulf Western Oil Winternationals next month. The trophy is normally presented to the Top Fuel winner of the Santo’s Super Thunder at Easter but, as Top Fuel didn’t contest that event this year, the joint decision was made to transfer it to the Winternationals.

Santo Rapisarda commented, ‘It was good to have the opportunity to sit down with Tony and Simon to discuss what’s happening at Willowbank. Racing there has special significance for my family. I was very impressed to hear what they are doing to upgrade the emergency braking area and install a world standard catch net system. I know my boys and all the RAI team are looking forward to racing at the Winternationals again and will be hoping we can take Louie’s trophy home with us.”

The Gulf Western Oil Winternationals is the final round of the 400 Thunder Championship season and the title battle in Top Fuel is set for a great finale with a three way battle for the gold between reigning champion Kelly Bettes and RAI drivers Wayne Newby and Ashley Sanford.

Newby Triumphs in all RAI Final Round

Rapisarda Autosport International star Wayne Newby defeated American teammate Ashley Sanford in the final of Top Fuel at the Nitro Thunder meeting held at Sydney Dragway, May 4.
The third member of the team, Damien Harris, finished sixth in the eight-car field.

Returning to racing for the first time since January, the RAI campaign got off to a low-key start when day one was abandoned due to rain. The day two format featured a single test and tune run, two rounds of racing followed by the top two in the points facing off in the final with the rest of the field battling for the minor places.

Newby stamped his authority on the meeting with two easy wins, coupled with swag of bonus speed and time points and was untroubled to cruise to his second final of the year.

Sanford, Harris and Newby looking for Nitro Glory for RAI at Sydney Dragway

Californian speedster Ashley Sanford will re-join her Rapisarda Autosport International team mates Wayne Newby and Damien Harris for the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway on May 4-5.

“I can’t wait to return to Australia,” said Sanford. “Even though our last race, where we finished fifth, wasn’t the best. I’m confident that our Rapisarda Autosport International team and crew are going to get it done this time in Sydney. Santo Junior and Santino Rapisarda have been working hard in the shop and I’ve been doing what I can in the States. We are ready for redemption and hopefully will be able to hand the winner’s trophy to our team owner Santo Rapisarda.”

Each driver in the RAI stable will bring their own individual narrative to the penultimate round of the 400 Thunder season.

Sanford heads RAI charge in Queensland

American speedster Ashley Sanford was the best performed member of the three car RAI assault in second round of the 400 Thunder championship at Willowbank Raceway.
The 23 year old Californian finished runner up to Sdyneysider Peter Xiberras in the final of Top Fuel while team mate Damien Harris smashed the Oz record for 1000 racing in a thrilling battle with Wayne Newby for third and fourth place.

“Congratulations to Peter and his team on their first win in Top Fuel,” said fellow Team owner Santo Rapisarda. “On the day they had the best package and did well in taming the hot and humid conditions. They have been knocking on the door in recent times and it ‘s a good thing for the category to have a different winner.”

With only five starters the event was run under a variation of the Chicago shoot out format. All cars made two runs with the top two in the points facing off in the final round and next two racing for third and fourth places.

Sanford Extends Australian Tour

Californian Ashley Sanford has added the Santo Summer meeting at Sydney Dragway on January 20 to her 2018 Oz campaign with Rapisarda Autosport International.

Sanford’s first appearance downunder will be at Willowbank Raceway, Queensland on January 6.

 “It’s a long way to travel to Australia to race only at Willowbank,” said Sanford. “So when Santo decided to run a third car in Sydney I jumped at the chance. I raced in Sydney last year and had a great time.”

'SANTA' RAPISARDA GIVES EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ASHLEY SANFORD

Rising NHRA Top Fuel star, Ashley Sanford, will return to Australia to drive for Rapisarda Autosport International at Willowbank Raceway on January 6.

23-year-old Sanford last raced for RAI at the opening round of the 400 Thunder series at Sydney Dragway in November, finishing in 6th spot.

“To be invited back to race for Santo and his family team is a great Christmas present,” said Sanford. “I’m so excited. I know that Santo usually runs three cars in Australia and there are a lot of drivers here in America who would jump at the opportunity to drive for the team in Australia. After driving for Santo in November it was a dream that one day I would be invited back. When the phone rang last week and I saw it was Santo calling I took a big breath and crossed my fingers. It was the perfect Christmas present and can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be returning to Australia.”

Sanford to race for Rapisarda Autosport International at Sydney Dragway

23-year-old Californian Ashley Sanford will join reigning 400 Thunder champ Wayne Newby and Western Australian team-mate Damien Harris for the opening round of the 2017-18 Top Fuel season at Sydney Dragway on November 3-4.

Sanford, a stand out in Top Alcohol, licensed in Top Fuel at zMax Speedway in May, made her Top Fuel debut at the U.S. Indy Nationals then raced for RAI at  the Midwest Nationals when their regular driver Wayne Newby returned to Australia for business reasons.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be invited to race for Rapisarda Autosport International,” said Sanford. “When Santo rang and offered me the ride I was speechless. I spent some time with Santo, his boys Santino and Santo Junior when they raced in America over summer and really enjoyed the experience. Some of the best drivers on the NHRA tour, including Larry Dixon, Tommy Johnson and Dom Lagana, have driven for the Rapisarda family and it’s a real honor to join such a group. If you ask any American Top Fuel driver they will tell you that racing in Australia is definitely on their bucket list and I’m so lucky and grateful to Santo and the Rapisarda family to be given such an opportunity.”

SANTO RAPISARDA POISED TO QUIT RACING IN AUSTRALIA

Legendary team owner Santo Rapisarda has threatened to abandon racing Top Fuel in Australia unless the two major race tracks, Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway introduce 1000 foot racing for the 2017-18 IHRA season that commences at Sydney Dragway in November.

The impact of RAI quitting the sport would have major consequences for the premier drag class in Australia. In recent years the Sydney based team has field upwards of four cars at events and regularly makes up at least half of the entries.

 “I will not race quarter mile again,” declared Rapisarda. “The time has arrived for Australia to abandon the 1320 foot race distance on the grounds of safety. I have been giving this a lot of thought and my mind was made up at the 2017 Winternationals when both our cars ran over 330 mph. It was a historic moment for the team but when you run at those speeds the risks are too great.

RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL CUT FIRST LAPS FOR US NATIONALS

Rapisarda Autosport International’s 2017 American campaign got of to a flying start when Wayne Newby posted a best run of 3.80/307 mph in pre -event testing for the 63rd annual U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

The biggest event on the NHRA calendar has attracted an oversubscribed field of 18 cars for the five day meet that commences on August 30 and runs to Monday September 4.

“The 3.80 came on day one of testing and was a good result considering most of the team only arrived in town a couple of days in advance,” said team owner Santo Rapisarda.  “We last raced the car in September 2016 and a lot of work needs to be done to get the car ready before round 1 of qualifying on Friday.

RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL RETURNING
FOR US NATIONALS

Rapisarda Autosport International will return to the NHRA Mello Yello series for the 63rd annual U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis, on August 30-Sept. 4.  
Regular pilot Wayne Newby,will drive for the team with tuning duties shared between Santino Rapisarda and Santo Rapisarda Jnr.

“I’m excited to be returning to race in America,” said team principal Santo Rapisarda.  “The U. S. Nationals is the biggest and most prestigious event on the NHRA calendar. My boys, Santo Jnr and Santino, are looking forward to the challenge of benchmarking their performance against the best in the world and that happens to be at the Indy Nationals. The event is usually over subscribed and we can’t afford to get far ahead of ourselves. First up we want to make the cut.”

The team dominated the 2016-17 domestic season in Australia winning their second consecutive 400 Thunder title. A year long campaign to become the first` team in the country to run in the fabled 4.40 second zone for quarter mile came to fruition in spectacular fashion when team-mates Wayne Newby and Damien Harris shredded the previous best of 4.50 sec set by fellow team-mate Larry Dixon in 2012.
In the final round of the season, the 50th annual Winternationals, Harris etched his name in the history books with a spectacular run of 4.43/335 mph. Newby also dipped under the 4.50 barrier with a classy 4.48/322 mph.

RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL DEMOLISH RECORD BOOK AT WILLOWBANK

Rapisarda Autosport International gun duo, Damien Harris and Santo Rapisarda Junior, shredded the history books when they clocked the first run under the 4.50 second barrier ever recorded in Australia with a breath taking pass of 4.44 in qualifying at the 2017 Gulf Western Winternationals.

The time obliterated the previous best, a 4.50 sec set by highly decorated RAI star Larry Dixon in 2013.

“Damo”, as he is affectionately known, has become the third quickest driver in the world over the quarter-mile behind America superstar Doug Kalitta and eight-time NHRA champ Tony Schumacher.

DIXON TO RACE AT WINTERNATIONALS FOR RAPISARDA AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL

3-time NHRA champion, Larry Dixon, will race alongside Rapisarda Autosport International team-mates, Damien Harris and Wayne Newby, at the 50th anniversary Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway.

“Anytime you get a phone call from Santo to race for the family team is an honour and privilege," said Dixon, who last raced for RAI at Sydney Dragway in November 2016. “Santo has assembled a great team with all the right equipment and crew, as well as having Lee Beard on board to tune the car for the meeting. I’m also excited to be returning to race at Willowbank.”

With RAI star Wayne Newby needing only to qualify to win the 2016-17 400 Thunder Championship, the team travels to Willowbank Raceway with three goals in mind. To claim the 400T title, take out back-to-back Winternationals titles and be the first team in Australian drag racing history to run under the 4.50 second barrier.

NEWBY SET TO MAKE HISTORY AFTER WIN IN SYDNEY

Rapisarda Autosport International star, Wayne Newby, has taken a stranglehold on his maiden 400 Thunder Championship after scoring a holeshot win over NHRA star Richie Crampton in the final of Nitro Thunder at Sydney Dragway.

“Newby” only needs to qualify at the final round of the season, the Winternationals, to make history in becoming the first racer in Australia to secure titles in Top Alcohol and Top Fuel across two national series.

RAI also claimed third and fourth spots when American import Dom Lagana outlasted Western Australian Damien Harris in the ‘B’ final.

LAGANA TO RACE AT SANTO’S SUPER THUNDER MEETING

NHRA star Dom Lagana will be reunited with Rapisarda Autosport International team-mates, Wayne Newby and Damien Harris, at the Santo’s Super Thunder meeting at Willowbank Raceway on Good Friday.

Lagana last raced for RAI at Calder Park Raceway where he defeated Mildura racer Darren Morgan in the final of the ANDRA Nationals.

Legendary NHRA tuner Lee Beard will return to Oz to spanner the Lagana entry.

Dom Lagana Takes Home Aussie Gold

New York based Dom Lagana scored his maiden win for Rapisarda Autosport International after defeating Darren Morgan in the final of Top Fuel at the 51st ANDRA Nationals at Calder Park Raceway.

Lagana, under the tutelage of legendary tuner Beard, was in scintillating form over the two-day meet. After top qualifying on day one he accounted for RAI team-mate Wayne Newby in first round then claimed the gold Christmas Tree when he outpaced Morgan in the smart time of 4.07 sec. for the 1000 foot race distance.

Rapisarda Autosport International Reloads for Calder

Rapisarda Autosport International will be seeking redemption at the ANDRA Nationals at Calder Park Raceway this weekend after finishing second, third and fifth at the Santos Summer Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway. 

Wayne Newby was the best performer for RAI finishing runner-up to Mildura racer Darren Morgan in the final. Last round winner, Damien Harris, went down to Aaron Hambridge in the battle for third and fourth place.

American import, Dom Lagana, finished fifth and produced the finest run of the meeting with a 4.62/523 km/h pass to claim low et and top speed honors. 

Lagana to Return to Australia for RAI

American star, Dom Lagana, will race for Rapisarda Autosport International at the Santo’s Summer Thunder meeting at Sydney Dragway on January 21 followed by the ANDRA Nationals to be held at Calder Park Raceway on January 28-29.
 
Lagana will be joined by Lee Beard, one of the most highly decorated tuners in the NHRA with 53 wins and a swag of titles in a career covering over four decades.

Harris on Fire at New Year's Series

Rapisarda Autosport International star, Damien Harris, claimed victory in the final of the New Year Thunder meeting when his opponent, Peter Xiberras, cut a red light in front of a near capacity crowd at Willowbank Raceway.

Earlier, Harris’s team-mate, Wayne Newby, despite a holeshot, went down to Darren Morgan in the battle for third spot on the podium.

The Harris and Santo Rapisarda Jr. combination stamped their authority on the meeting when they laid down a sparkling pass of 4.77 /408 km/h in the pre-event test session.

Newby Searching for Breakout Win at Willowbank Raceway

Rapisarda Autosport International star, Wayne Newby, will be chasing his first win at Willowbank Raceway in Top Fuel at the New Year Thunder meeting on Saturday January 7.
 
Since making his debut in late 2014 Sydney based Newby has finished runner-up at the Willowbank Winternationals twice. In 2015, he lost to team-mate and NHRA star Cory McClenathan, then, last season came up short against team-mate and 3-time NHRA champ Larry Dixon.

No Birthday Present for Santo Jnr

Santo Rapisarda Jr. was denied the ideal 23rd birthday present when Texan Steve Torrence beat Wayne Newby in a first round thriller in the Auto Club NHRA finals at Pomona Raceway.

Torrence took the win with a pass of 3.73/522 km/h. Newby running a 3.77/523 km/h.

 Newby’s time was seventh fastest in first round and his reaction time of .57 was the third quickest.

Newby in Texan Showdown at Pomona

RAI star Wayne Newby will face off against Texan Steve Torrence in  first round of  racing at the Auto Club NHRA finals at Pomona Raceway.

Newby qualified 11th in the 19 car field.

The Aussie team, in seventh place going into second day of qualifying, opened their account with a regulation pass of 3.79/521 km/h.

Larry Dixon returns to Rapisarda Autosport International for 2016 City of Ipswich Winternationals

Former three time NHRA Mello-Yellow world champion, Larry Dixon, will be making the trip ‘Down-Under’ for the 2016 City of Ipswich Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway, June 9 – 12 for Rapisarda Autosport International.

For Dixon, the trip marks his second trip to Australia, the first being back in 2013 where he attended the Santo’s Super Three event, where he made headlines by performing a 360 degree spin during the opening round of qualifying. The team then managed to re-build the car and go on to record the quickest ever quarter mile pass outside of North America with a 4.503 second blast on the Saturday night of the event.

“Thanks to Santo and the boys (Santino and Santo Junior) for extending their invitation to me for the event. I had a great time driving for them back in 2013 and to come back for the Winternationals, the largest Drag Race outside of North America is something special,” said Dixon.

McClenathan emerges victorious for Rapisarda Autosport International’s four car entry at East Coast Nationals

Last weekend, November 7th and 8th, NHRA star Cory McClenathan defeated Darren Morgan on a holeshot to win the 2015 East Coast Nationals. Rapisarda Autosport International (RAI) also made history as they became the first Top Fuel team in the world to field four cars at the one event. A feat that might have been the second occurrence, should the Nitro Champs not have been rained out.

Team owner, Santo Rapisarda has come away extremely impressed with the way that the RAI team handled the challenge.

“Credit is due to the entire RAI team for the time that they have put into making the four car assault possible. The fact that there was minimal parts damage sustained across the four cars over the weekend is a testament to the team. We knew it was going to be tough, but it was much tougher than what we first though. Nonetheless, the entire team deserve a well-earned rest and can walk away from the event as the first team to successfully field four cars at one event in the world,

Rapisarda Autosport International to engage four car Top Fuel assault at East Coast Nationals

The Rapisarda Autosport International (RAI) team are going to engage in the largest single team effort ever seen in Top Fuel at the East Coast Nationals, November 7th and 8th. A feat that the team wanted to achieve earlier this year at the Nitro Champs, however, the event was cancelled due to rain.

"We have wanted to try and run the four cars at the one event for some time now, however, we lost our opportunity with the wet weather back in May," explained team owner Santo Rapisarda.

So who are the drivers? Well, it's going to be split evenly down the middle with two Americans and two Aussies.

HOT TIME IN INDY FOR RAI

Rapisarda Autosport International is in 19 th place after day two of qualifying at the 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S Nationals in Indianapolis.

The all ‘Aussie’ team like many of their peers found the track conditions a challenge with the temperature hovering around the 117F mark.

Wayne Newby’s opening pass ended in a cloud of tyre smoke around the 330 -foot mark

NEWBY AND CRAMPTON LEAD AUSSIE CHARGE AT U.S.NATIONALS.

Rapisarda Autosport International rookie Wayne Newby and Lucas Oil star Richie Crampton will spearhead the Aussie Top Fuel invasion at the 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S Nationals at Indianapolis from September 2-7.

“When I made my debut with Rapisarda Autosport International in Sydney last year I had no idea that nine months later I would be racing at the biggest drag event on the NHRA calendar- Indy.” Said Newby.

“I can’t thank Santo and the family, Santino, Santo Jnr. and Gianna enough for giving me the chance to fulfill a lifetime ambition. After racing at Brainerd two weeks ago we got back to the workshop and have been busy prepping the car, stocking up on spare parts and getting organized for Indy. We did go testing last week and ran a 3.82/309 mph. which was a solid effort.”

Rapisarda Returns to NHRA

Rapisarda Autosport International will return to the NHRA Mello Yello series for the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, Minnesota, next weekend followed by the most prestigious meeting on the NHRA calendar, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis from September 2-7.

Sydneysider Wayne Newby will make his international debut for RAI, at Brainerd, joining the roster of Australian fuel racers who have been given a once in a life-time opportunity by team owner, Santo Rapisarda, to compete on the world stage.

“We decided to race at Brainerd to give Wayne the opportunity to adjust to the NHRA system,” explained Rapisarda.

Rapisarda Autosport International put on Spectacular Nitro Show up North

The newly crowned Australian Top Fuel Champions, Rapisarda Autosport International (RAI) team made the trip to Hidden Valley Drag Strip, Northern Territory for the first time this past weekend July 17th and 18th for the Nitro up North event.

The 2015 ANDRA Top Fuel champion, Damian Harris and Wayne Newby put on a show in-front of a record crowd of approximately 6,500 people to witness the quickest and fastest Drag Racing passes the Northern Territory have ever seen.

Harris and Crew Chief, Santo Rapisarda Junior departed the venue with both ends of the track record 4.639/317.49 miles per hour. Wayne Newby and his crew chief Santino Rapisarda were able to gain valuable data in testing their new car. This data will be put to good to use in the upcoming 2015/2016 ANDRA Top Fuel Championship.

Top Fuel to feature at Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association today announced the inclusion of Top Fuel as an exhibition category as part of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series to be hosted at Hidden Valley Drag Strip from 17-18 July.

The 2015 ANDRA Championship winning team, Rapisarda Autosport International, will be bringing a two car contingent to Hidden Valley to provide Territorians with their first ever taste of Top Fuel drag racing.

After major upgrades in 2010, and hosting of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series now into its third consecutive year, today's announcement is arguably one of the biggest in the 30 year history of Hidden Valley.

American drag racing star confirmed for Fuchs Winternationals

The Fuchs Winternationals will play host to American drag racing star Cory ‘Cory Mac’ McClenathan when it hits Willowbank Raceway next week (4-7 June), with the two-time NHRA champion confirmed today amongst the event’s 10-strong Top Fuel line-up.

The two-time US Nationals event champion (1996 and 1999) has twenty years of Top Fuel racing expertise behind him, and is one of only six drivers to win all three consecutive events of the prestigious ‘Western Swing’. He was the first driver to break the 320 mph barrier (approx. 514kmh) in NHRA (the United States’ primary drag racing sanctioning body) history and also the first to break their 4.80 second elapsed time marker over the quarter-mile.

This will be the second time the Indianapolis-based racer – who boasts more than 500 round victories and more than 34 event victories at home in the NHRA – has entered for the Fuchs Winternationals event. He will compete with the Rapisarda Autosport International (RAI) team.

Current Top Fuel championship leader Damien Harris has thrown down the gauntlet to closest rival Phil Lamattina ahead of the upcoming Fuchs Winternationals – the championship finale and the biggest show in Australian drag racing (June 4-7).

The defending event winner Harris – who drives for Santo Rapisarda’s Rapisarda Autosport International team - is just 26 points ahead of two-time champion Lamattina and will be looking to claim his first Top Fuel national title this Queen’s birthday long weekend. One hundred points are on offer for an event win, however the 42 year old says it is Phil who should be worried about being under pressure.

“The championship will be decided at the event and I want nothing more than to be able to hand the championship trophy to the Rapisarda family, but the focus will be on ourselves and what we need to do to go back to back at the Fuchs Winternationals,” said the West Australian.

TJ, Lee Beard announced for Nitro Champs

Rapisarda Autosport International has confirmed NHRA star Tommy Johnson Jr. will drive the team’s fourth entry in Top Fuel at the Nitro Champs this weekend at Sydney Dragway.

Johnson will join fellow statesider Dom Lagana and the Australian duo of Damien Harris and Wayne Newby.

Johnson currently sits in fourth place in the NHRA Funny Car points. He last drove for the Sydney based team on the NHRA tour in 2013 and forged a close relationship with Santino and Santo Rapisarda Jr.

Lagana to race at Nitro Champs as part of four car RAI assault.

Rapisarda Autosport International will make Top Fuel history at the Sydney Dragway Nitro champs on May 2-3 when they become the first Australian team to ever field four cars in the elite category.

The Sydney based team holds the current record of three cars set at the Australian Nationals in November 2014 when the ran Damien Harris, Allan Dobson and rookie Wayne Newby.

The decision by RAI has swelled Top Fuel to bursting point, with 11 cars rumoured to be attending the event.

Lagana versus Connolly in first round at Vegas

Dom Lagana will face off against the highly fancied ex-Pro Stock champ Dave Connolly in first round of racing at the Summit Racing NHRA Nationals after nailing eighth place in qualifying.

“Your always pleased when you make the field,” said Rapisarda Autosport International co- tuner Santo Rapisarda Junior. “The competition is so tough in Top Fuel. To qualify ahead of the likes of Larry Dixon and Antron Brown will mean little on race day but it does show that we are on the right track.”

Day two of qualifying saw track temperatures nudging 130F and gave little hope to teams looking to improve on their day one performances.

Rapisarda in top ten at Las Vegas

Rapisarda Autosport International and gun racer Dom Lagana have made a superb return to the NHRA Mello Yello Series finishing in eighth spot at the end of day one of qualifying at the SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Lagana’s pass of 3.80 at 300.66 mph is the teams third quickest ever for the 1000 foot race distance.

The teams first qualifying pass ended after a mere two seconds when the car suffered massive valve train failure. “We were looking at a 3.80 second pass until an intake valve hung open and that detonated the top half of the engine,” said co –tuner Santino Rapisarda.

Rapisarda team chemistry strong in 2015

Santo Rapisarda Jr, crew chief for current ANDRA Top Fuel championship leader Damien Harris, says the team chemistry is strong this season as Rapisarda Autosport International chases their first title in 13 years.

Santo Jr is buoyed by the Damien Harris/Wayne Newby combination as Harris sits atop the points chase while Newby makes steady progress in his first season in the nitro seat.

“The addition of Wayne Newby to our RAI team for 2015 has already proven to be a crucial part of our early success in 2015,” said Rapisarda.

The newbie who's a veteran

Wayne Newby is in rookie territory. That might sound strange for someone who has been drag racing for over two decades, but when it comes to nitro there is always a steep learning curve.

Newby will be in one of the six Top Fuel dragsters coming to Perth On February 28-March 1 to compete in Washpod Nitro Max, the opening event of the ANDRA Top Fuel Championship.

These beasts, each producing 10,000 horsepower, will be duking it out in separate championship rounds each night. Both Saturday and Sunday will produce their own winners and are independent contests, meaning each night will have its own story and drama. You won't want to miss a moment!