Before a new era of the sport erupts, the 2022/23 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship season will finish with a bang in Darwin.
A thrilling three-way fight for the title between previous champions Damien Harris, Phil Read and Peter Xiberras will be decided at Hidden Valley Raceway.
The stage for the special occasion is the Nitro Up North event, which shares the spotlight with Supercars this weekend.
Harris holds the high ground with 515 points, 65 more than both Read and reigning champion Xiberras.
The thrilling battle for the prestigious Stan Sainty Cup has ebbed and flowed ever since the series fired to life at Alice Springs in July 2022.
Harris got the early jump with back to back wins in Perth, while Xiberras made his intentions clear with an emotionally charged win at Sydney and Read hit back when the series returned to WA.
A D-Final result at the most recent round in Willowbank saw Harris’ lose ground ahead of the decider.
Damian Harris heads to Darwin with his nose in front in the championship fight. Image: Cackling Pipes Photography
However, the 2015 champion is in a confident frame of mind as he prepares to defend the championship lead with his life.
“I am feeling confident. The guys at Rapisarda Autosport International are working hard to do all the prep that is required, and we will see what Darwin brings,” Harris said.
“It would be great to have a win for the Rapisarda family and thank them for all of their support.
“Darwin will be a tricky place, but I think I am in the box seat with the best team out there.”
Peter Xiberras will be one of the leading Top Fuel NDRC contenders.
Despite carrying some momentum, Xiberras knows he needs some fortune as he chases a hat-trick of Top Fuel titles in the PremiAir dragster.
“With a third championship on the line and 65 points between the top three, there’s a lot to play for in Darwin,” he said.
“We will have to have luck on our side, but this is drag racing, and absolutely anything can happen – we have seen that time and time again.
“We won’t be giving up; we will be fighting right until the end – you can count on that.”
The driver who may be the most desperate to get his hands on the Stan Sainty Cup is Read.
Phil Read hopes to break a long drought with an unlikely championship win in Darwin. iMage: Richard Smith
Despite claiming four crowns, the Jim Read Racing driver has not won a Top Fuel title for 15 years and would love to break the drought.
“We are definitely feeling confident that we can win the race,” Phil Read said.
“When it comes to the championship, we will need the cards to fall in our favour (but) then you also have to remember ‘the Champ’ factor with Pete (Xiberras) tied with us on points.
“You can rest assured we will be doing all we can to put ourselves in the best possible position for the title.
“Hopefully we can come away with a win and then see if things fall our way.”
The destination of the 2022/23 Stan Sainty Cup will be decided at the Darwin Triple Crown on June 16-18.
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