Harris “lost for words” after Top Fuel title

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: June 19, 2023

In front of a big crowd at Hidden Valley Raceway, Damien Harris was crowned as the 2022/23 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel champion.

A three-way championship showdown was on the cards at the Nitro Up North finale with Harris leading both Peter Xiberras and Jim Read by 65 points.

Although Xiberras gave it everything by pushing his PremiAir Racing car to the Nitro Up North victory, it was not enough to register back-to-back titles

In a complete reversal of the results from last season, Xiberras won the season finale and Harris got his hands on the Stan Sainty Cup.

Damien Harris and the Rapisarda Autosport International celebrate their Top Fuel title success. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

The pair raced side by side one last time in the A Final at Darwin with the PremiAir Racing driver emerging on top.

But the Rapisarda Autosport International driver confirmed the championship success as early as round 2 when he defeated Kyle Putland, while Read was finished in the D Final.

Reflecting on his latest success, Harris struggled to sum up his emotions.

“It is an awesome job by the team, I am lost for words a little,” the 2015 champion said.

“I can’t wait to give the Stan Sainty Cup to Santo Snr back in Sydney when we get there.

“It is awesome you know, we got out there in front points-wise, and then we struggled a bit towards the back end of the season with silly mistakes, so to come back and get it is awesome.”

Rapisarda Autosport International crew chief Santo Rapisarda Junior provided an insight into the team’s journey after falling short last year.

Damien Harris and Peter Xiberras line up side by side for the final time in 2022/23 season in the Nitro Up North A Final. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography

“The first thing I said was that was a driver’s win,” he said.

“We saw (Wayne) Newby’s car shake and I got a bit nervous, but that is why he (Harris) is number one.

“He is a great driver and he deserved it last year, but we got it this year.

“We assembled this team at the start of last year and they have come along in leaps and bounds. “I am so proud of them.”

Following a big 2022/23 season, a new era of drag racing awaits with the new National Drag Racing Championship, which begins at The Bend in October.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

PODCAST: The latest episode of the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast is out now!

In the latest podcast we discuss this weekends Darwin Supercars preview & news, F1 Canada preview, Winton ARG and LeMans 24Hour wrap-up.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.

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