Nitro Up North 2023

Key Points

• Round 1 features close race between Phil Lamattina and Shane Olive
• Peter Xiberras receives solo run, records solid time despite a loose racetrack
• Damien Harris emerges victorious in battle against Phil Read
• Fiery match-up between Kyle Putland and Wayne Newby results in significant fires
• Round 2 sees Peter Xiberras and Phil Lamattina secure wins
• Damien Harris secures Australian Top Fuel Championship title with a decisive victory
• Phil Read's solo pass includes massive engine explosion and fire
• Shane Olive logs the quickest run of the weekend in the 'C' final
• Phil Lamattina wins 'B' final after both cars lose traction
• Peter Xiberras claims event win in the final round against Damien Harris
• Rob Cassar dominates Top Fuel Motorcycle, Benny Stevens runs under 7 seconds
• Kelvin Lyle secures Top Doorslammer title, challenging race conditions
• John Zappia achieves the only 5-second run, Lisa Gregorini survives crash
• Final round marked by accident involving Kelvin Lyle, official report pending

Nitro Up North lived up to its reputation as a thrilling motorsport event as Hidden Valley Dragway came alive under the dazzling lights. The Australian Top Fuel Championship took center stage, captivating the capacity crowd with high-speed battles and heart-stopping moments.

Australian Top Fuel Championship

Heading into the competition, the Australian Top Fuel Championship was fiercely contested by three exceptional drivers: Damien Harris, the current leader, reigning champion Peter Xiberras, and three-time Australian champion Phil Read. The stage was set for an intense battle of speed, skill, and determination.

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Round 1: Teammates Clash

In the opening round, the spotlight was on teammates Phil Lamattina and Shane Olive as they faced off in a closely fought race. Lamattina emerged victorious with a narrow margin, crossing the finish line in a swift 4.16 seconds, leaving Olive behind with a time of 4.27 seconds.

Xiberras' Solo Run and Harris Victorious

Peter Xiberras, piloting the Premiair Racing dragster, earned a solo run in Round 1 due to his number one qualifying position. Despite a challenging racetrack, Xiberras delivered a solid performance with a time of 4.01 seconds, showcasing his exceptional skills. Meanwhile, Harris faced off against Read in a thrilling battle, with Harris emerging triumphant with an impressive 3.98-second run, leaving Read in his tire smoke.

Fire and Intensity: Putland and Newby's Fiery Battle

The competition heated up as Kyle Putland and Wayne Newby engaged in a fiery match. Both cars experienced significant fires during the race, creating a spectacle for the crowd. Putland's dragster erupted in flames, while Newby's Atlantic Oils Dragster faced its demise in the braking area. Ultimately, Newby secured the win, overcoming the challenges encountered on the racetrack.

Xiberras Dominates in Round 2, Lamattina and Harris Impress

Heading into Round 2, Xiberras continued to showcase his dominance as he kicked off the round with a blistering 4.02-second run, defeating Phil Read, who encountered tire smoke halfway through the race. Shane Olive received a bye run but faced difficulties as his car shook violently, leading to an early shut off. Lamattina faced off against Newby and emerged victorious with a quick pedal and recovery, recording a time of 4.45 seconds after losing traction early on. Meanwhile, Harris had a golden opportunity to secure the championship title if he could defeat Kyle Putland and run faster than Lamattina's 4.45-second time.

Harris Secures Title with Impressive Round 2 Performance

Damien Harris seized the moment and secured his third Australian Top Fuel Championship title with a phenomenal performance in Round 2. Harris blazed down the track in a tire-shaking run, crossing the finish line in 4.22 seconds, defeating Putland and surpassing Lamattina's time. Reflecting on his victory, Harris expressed gratitude to the Rapisarda Family and the hardworking team behind the scenes.

Read's Explosive Solo Pass

Phil Read commenced Round 3 with a spectacular solo pass, but his run was marred by a massive engine explosion and ensuing fire. The intense incident resulted in damage to one of the rear slicks on the Hydraulink dragster. Despite the challenges faced throughout the weekend, Read remained optimistic, promising a strong comeback next season and congratulating Harris on his championship win.

Olive Shines in 'C' Final

In a thrilling 'C' final matchup, Shane Olive's exceptional performance continued as he outpaced Kyle Putland, who struggled with tire smoke upon hitting the throttle.

The Even Final: Harris vs Xiberras for a Fitting Finale

The eagerly anticipated final showcased a fitting matchup between the newly crowned champion Damien Harris and the top qualifier and second-place contender, Peter Xiberras. As the race commenced, both cars experienced tire smoke almost immediately, adding to the suspense. Xiberras managed to regain control, securing his second event win of the season, narrowly edging out Harris.

Top Fuel Motorcycle: Cassar's Double Victory

Rob Cassar dominated the Top Fuel Motorcycle category, clinching both the event victory and the championship earlier in the evening. Benny Stevens stood out as the only racer to break the 7-second barrier throughout the weekend, with attrition reducing the field to just three bikes in the final round.

Challenging Track Conditions in Doorslammer

The 3000 horsepower sedans faced significant challenges on the race track, struggling to maintain traction and balance. Shaking and spinning rear slicks plagued most cars during various parts of their runs, adding an extra element of excitement and unpredictability to the races.

Zappia's Impressive 5-Second Run

Eleven-time Champion John Zappia demonstrated his mastery of the track, becoming the sole racer to break into the 5-second zone. Zappia's outstanding 5.85s run in the first round paved the way for his victory over Matt Abel.

Lisa Gregorini's Terrifying Crash

Lisa Gregorini's race took a terrifying turn when she encountered a vicious crash head-on into the concrete wall, reaching an estimated speed of 297km/h. Although her car appeared to be on a good run, it lost traction and veered into the right wall before rebounding across the track. Fortunately, Gregorini emerged from the accident unharmed.

*Image Source: Fox Sports/Kayo

Dramatic Finale Marred by Lyle's Accident

The final round between John Zappia and Kelvin Lyle was marred by an unfortunate accident involving Lyle. Just past the ¾ track mark, Lyle's car collided with the wall, narrowly avoiding Zappia's car. At the time of writing, no official report on Lyle's condition was available.

The Nitro Up North event provided fans with an exhilarating display of speed, skill, and resilience. Racers pushed the limits, delivering captivating moments that left the crowd in awe. Despite the challenges faced on the track, the determination and passion of the competitors shone through, making it an unforgettable racing experience.