Fifty-one Junior Dragsters were on-track at the National Drag Racing Championship’s recent Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs, and with another big field expected for the upcoming NDRC Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway (June 5-8), there is absolutely no doubt that the future of Australian drag racing is looking exceptionally strong.
Whether they are following in the footsteps of family members or forging their own new paths, these next generation racers are putting in the hard yards on and off the track in the NDRC’s Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship and ensuring that this sport will continue its current resurgence for years to come.
Leading the way for the Juniors to what will be the 2024/2025 season finale for the NDRC Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship at Willowbank Raceway is Nitro Champs winner, last season NDRC Junior Dragster champion, and current points leader, Zayne Condello.
“I had a fantastic time at the NDRC’s Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs, not just with my own racing, but watching all of Group One, like we will be able to do again at the Winternationals,” Condello said.
“The amount of fans was spectacular, and it was truly a great feeling to have everyone cheering us on and waving to us as we towed back after each run.
“To be part of such a big field at the Nitro Champs, it was amazing to see so many fellow junior drivers in the lanes. I thought it was really cool seeing all the toughest junior dragster competitors in the country lined up for over 100 metres all the way back through the lanes.”
Condello and his 50 fellow Junior racers competed at the Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway across May 2-4 as part of a 200+ sportsman line-up and alongside 75 group one racers across all eight of the elite level brackets – Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, FuelTech Pro Mod and Pro Stock Motorcycle – just as they will at the fast-approaching Gulf Western Oil Winternationals.
“It is definitely an amazing feeling to be going into ‘the Winters’ with the current points lead that I have at the moment,” said the Year 11 student, who is also a furniture delivery person.
“I was the inaugural NDRC Junior Dragster Champion last season, so it would mean a lot to me to go back-to-back for Australian Championships as well as being the first person in Juniors to do so.
“To win the championship – well, it is hard to put into words how much that would mean for me.
“We have worked tirelessly all season to get to where we are with travelling almost the entire country chasing points and a lot of good times.
“It definitely has not been an easy road but it will all be worth it if we get to hold that shiny piece of gold above our heads at the conclusion of the Winternationals.”
As the largest championship drag racing event held outside of the US, the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals is set to deliver a truly spectacular show for all who attend.
“Championship aside, I have my main focus set on winning the event which I have always dreamed of winning,” Condello said.
“The Winternationals has always been a very special event to me, and it is now or never for me.
“Heading into ‘the final dance,’ as I like to call it, my confidence is at an all-time high. The car has been performing flawlessly and I have been very up front and consistent with the tree all year round, plus I feel my top end driving has improved dramatically over the last few months.
“To wrap up the year with a big old Winternationals Tree along with a NDRC Championship Tree would be the highlight of my career.”
The 16-year-old will soon embark on his final season in the highly competitive Junior Dragster bracket and cannot sing the praises of this important class of drag racing any higher.
“I strongly believe Junior Dragster is one of the most important categories in the sport, filled with future super stars right through from eight years of age all the way right up to 18 years old,” Condello said.
“Being in Junior Dragster 100 percent builds your character as a person. It teaches you maturity, how to speak to people, how to be respectful and how to be a good sportsman.
“It is not just about the fun of putting your car down the track, it is also all about teaching you how to treat your other competitors, work on your car, and build your own race craft. I believe junior dragster is one of the greatest categories out there.”
In the future, Condello hopes to follow the footsteps of his grandfather Joe Condello in the senior ranks and also hopes to do his bit to nurture future generations of drag racers as well.
“I would most definitely like to continue doing drag racing as much as possible. After I age out of juniors we have plans for me to jump into my Nonno’s “grandfather” Top Sportsman Hot Rod which just also happens to be street registered,” he explains.
“After a season or two in either Modified or Top Sportsman, I have plans to go to Supercharged Outlaws which is one of my favourite classes in the sport and give it a go there.
“Away from drag racing I would like to start making a living for myself as either a mechanical engineer or boiler maker.
“I am very excited to see where the future leads me and to see if I can make all my dreams come to life of having a nice big property and house with a whole bunch of race cars for my eventual future kids to hop into.
“For now though, I would like to thank everyone who has made my racing career possible and also supported me through friendships and in life in general.
“To start off with I would like to thank my Nonno, Nunna, Mum, Dad, my sister Savanna, my sister Ivy who we race in memory of, and my beautiful girlfriend Ava Walker for keeping me calm every meeting and getting me into the right mindset to race.
“I would also like to thank my sponsor Brett and Megs from Fineline Motorsports, Craws Racing, Halfscale, Brain Lake (Scruffy), The entire Raikko Family, Joe and Connie Princi for helping us get started in juniors and absolutely everyone that has lent a helping hand these last three years.
“I would also like to give a very special mention to my good mate James Lowday for actually originally finding me my first car and helping me convince my mum and Nonno to get me the car. He has taught me a lot in the sport and I am very grateful for that.”
The Gulf Western Oil Winternationals will be held at Willowbank Raceway across June 5-8. For event information or to learn more about the NDRC, visit www.ndrc.tv
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