Top Fuel Championship: Damien Harris Wins Title Fight In Darwin

As the dust settles on the second Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, Damien Harris and team Rapisarda walk home with the most sought after prize in Australian drag racing - the Stan Sainty Cup. 

Harris locked down the title after a mega drive job in round two of racing on Saturday night against rookie Top Fuel racer and fellow WA compatriot, Kyle Putland who put on a mega showing against the far more experienced pilot. “I thought I was toast then. It shook, I had to peddle it, I was just lucky to get the win in that round.” Harris said after jumping out of the car.

“I want to thank Atlantic Oil, they have been amazing this year, and I also want to thank the Rapisarda family for allowing me to represent them and all the guys in Sydney who have worked so hard for this.” 

“I can’t wait to give the Stan Sainty Cup to Santo Snr back in Sydney when we get back 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. I am glad it came down to the wire in Darwin – it is just awesome.”

PremiAir Racing owner/driver Peter Xiberras also had a weekend to remember, securing P2 in the championship after a win against Phil Read, and then taking out the round win in a rematch of last years Nitro Up North finale against Harris. 

“We are so happy to get the Nitro Up North victory,” Xiberras said.

“We love racing in Darwin, and we came here knowing we needed a lot to fall our way to win the title, but full of confidence of giving it our absolute best shot.

“This is our second win of the season, and we could not be happier to be ending the 2022/2023 season on a high.” As the season draws to a close the sport of drag racing looks forward to a new beginning with the recently announced NDRC (National Drag Racing Championship) - with category one racing set to kick off the series at the Bend in Adelaide this October. It’s an exciting time to be a drag racing fan as the sport looks to move forward and finally operate under the same banner. For more details on the NDRC, please visit www.ndrc.tv.