The Riverbend Nationals has delivered a powerhouse day of racing at Dragway at The Bend today, with an intensive schedule showcasing standout performances from more than 180 NDRC racers.
After Saturday’s running was shortened by inclement weather, fans were rewarded with a mega Sunday of racing from the 11,000hp BLAHST Top Fuelers and XPRO Nitro Funny Cars, 14 Top Doorslammers, Top Fuel Motorcycles, Pro Alcohols, and Pro Mods as well as a full field of Aeroflow Sportsman Championship competitors from all across the country; all chasing NDRC Gold Christmas Trees and early-season momentum.
In the professional ranks, the A-Final wins went to Phil Lamattina (BLAHST Top Fuel), Josh Leahy (XPRO Nitro Funny Car), John Zappia (Top Doorslammer), Danny Rickard (Top Fuel Motorcycle), Daniel Reed (Pro Alcohol), and Zoran Gajic (Pro Mod).
In Top Fuel Motorcycle, South Australian Danny Rickard (7.681/269.11kph) took an emotional win in the A-Final from Damian Martini (13.608s) with plenty of speed in a run which saw Martini burn himself up and shut off early. In the B-Final, Corey Buttigieg (7.985/198.97kph) ran a solo in which he chewed up his head gaskets but was still a clean run compared to his first two runs, running wide in round one and touching the wall in round two.
“Today was awesome, it has been a few years since we had a win. I couldn’t have done this without Adelaide Bike Works, Mark Hood, Wayno McGuinness for the tune – good work, man – and all the Faster Moto guys, and Blast Worx, and the cooks and chefs,” said Rickard, who was clearly emotional.
“A good mate of mine, one of my crew, passed away a few weeks ago. This is for him.”
In the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship ranks, winners were found for not only the Riverbend Nationals, but also for Aeroflow Junior Drag Bike’s New Year Nitro campaign, with the final from the cut-short Willowbank Raceway event held during the bracket’s second qualifier, with Neveah McDougall taking the win over Lawrence Raschella in a double red-light run.
When it came to the Dragway at The Bend spoils, the wins went to the following 10 racers: Luca Lamattina (Aeroflow Junior Dragster, from runner-up Abigail Reed), Kobe Ashelford (Aeroflow Junior Drag Bike – from r-up Bailey Paul), Mark Rossow (Super Street, from r-up Craig Ferguson), Michael Caroscio (Super Comp, from r-up Peter Pisalidis), Matt Jones (Modified Bike, from r-up Dean Jamieson), Ken Collin (Performance Bike, from r-up Joe Khoury), Simon Madigan (Supercharged Outlaws, from r-up Bruno Matijasevic), Peter Furlanetto (Super Sedan, from Jack Moreau), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman, from r-up Martin Mirco) and Adriana Cartledge (Modified, from r-up Daniel ‘BatDan’ Carranza) who hoisted the Gold Trees.
Zayne Condello (Aeroflow Junior Dragster), Bailey Paul (Aeroflow Junior Drag Bike), Sammy-Jo Johnson (Super Street), Rob Evans (Super Comp), Dean Jamieson (Modified Bike), Ken Collin (Performance Bike), Bruno Matijasevic (Supercharged Outlaws), Peter Furlanetto (Super Sedan), Darren Whitford (Top Sportsman) and Daniel ‘BatDan’ Carranza (Modified) were celebrated as the NDRC Top Qualifier Medallion getters.
While the Riverbend Nationals may now be over, fans do not have to wait long for another nitro-filled show, thanks to the NDRC’s Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs across May 1-3 at Sydney Dragway, which will feature a stacked Group One lineup featuring BLAHST Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike, as well as the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship. Tickets and entries are available now, so make sure you do not miss out on this epic nitro party.
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