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The recently launched Australian National Drag Racing Championship has released details of its 2023-2024 calendar, featuring seven Top Fuel and four Nitro Funny Car rounds.
Both categories will run separate championships running from October 2023 until the final round of the season at the Willowbank Winternationals – the premier event on the Australian calendar – in June 2024 when both nitro categories will appear at the same event.
“For competitors, this means a true national championship and a unified sport,” according to series co-promoter Andy Lopez. “For race fans, it means unbeatable shows with the best Australian drag racing has to offer. The NDRC’s motto is ‘One Way, Forward.’ We all race in the same direction for the same reason and it is our hope that with the NDRC having unified this great sport, we can bring it the attention and respect it deserves.”
Top Fuel will open their season at The Bend Dragway in rural South Australia on 21-22 October, followed by visits to Willowbank Raceway in December and Sydney Dragway on the Australia Day weekend January 26-27. In March, the series travels cross-country to the Perth Motorplex for the Westernationals, followed by a return to The Bend, April 6-7. Sydney Dragway is home to the Nitro Champs in May, leading into The Grand Final round at Willowbank Raceway, June 6-9.
The Nitro Funny Car season begins at Sydney Dragway on October 27-28, then visits the Perth Motorplex on November 24-25 for the Goldenstates meet and The Bend, January 13-14. Willowbank Raceway hosts the series on February 16-17, followed by a hiatus until the Grand Final round in June.
Absent from the Top Fuel calendar is the Red Centre Nationals in Alice Springs and Nitro Up North meeting at Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, which will host the final of the Australian Top Fuel Championship 2022-2023 season, June 15-16.
Doorslammer will appear at eight rounds of the NDRC championship. Five alongside Top Fuel and three at Funny Car meetings.
Top Alcohol has a seven-round season, including a surprise visit to the Motorplex in November. The last time Alky raced in W.A. was in March 2017. Pro Stock has a five-round season split between Sydney and Willowbank and a single event at the Bend.
The Sportsman Championship will be split into two geographical groups.
A four-round Western Conference series based at The Bend and Perth Motorplex and five rounds at Sydney Dragway and Willowbank Raceway as part of the East Coast Conference.
The Sportsman National Grand Final meeting is scheduled to be held at The Bend as part of the April 6-7 Top Fuel meeting. Further Sportsman events will be announced on June 14.
Pro Mod has five rounds, Top Fuel Motorcycle six and Pro Stock Motorcycle four.
ANDRA will sanction Perth Motorplex events and it is expected that The Bend, Sydney Dragway and Willowbank meetings will be held under the IHRA Australia.
NDRC GROUP ONE CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR:
Round 1 – The Bend Dragway – 21-22 October 2023 – featuring Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Western Conference racing.
Round 2 – Sydney Dragway – 27-28 October 2023 – featuring Nitro Funny Car, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock and Pro Mod, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
Round 3 – Perth Motorplex – 24-25 November 2023 (Goldenstates) – featuring Nitro Funny Car, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, plus Sportsman Western Conference racing.
Round 4 – Willowbank Raceway – 1-2 December 2023 – featuring Top Fuel, Pro Alcohol, Pro Mod, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
Round 5 – The Bend Dragway – 13-14 January 2024 – featuring Nitro Funny Car, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, plus Sportsman Western Conference racing.
Round 6 – Sydney Dragway – 26-27 January 2024 – featuring Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
Round 7 – Willowbank Raceway – 16-17 February 2024 – featuring Nitro Funny Car, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Mod, Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
Round 8 – Perth Motorplex – 2-3 March 2024 (Westernationals) – featuring Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer plus Sportsman Western Conference racing.
Round 9 – The Bend Dragway – 6-7 April 2024 – featuring Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock, plus the Sportsman National Grand Final.
Round 10 – Sydney Dragway – 3-4 May 2024 (Nitro Champs) – featuring Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Mod, Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
Round 11 (Grand Final) – Willowbank Raceway – 6-9 June 2024 (Winternationals) – featuring Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Mod, Pro Stock Motorcycle, plus Sportsman Eastern Conference racing.
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