The largest championship drag racing event held outside of the US – the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals – is well underway at Willowbank Raceway, with today’s day two of the four-day event forecasting an epic weekend of National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) action to come.
More than 475 NDRC racers from all over the country have descended on Queensland’s premier drag racing facility for this event – which is one of only three times in 2026 where all eight NDRC pro-level brackets race together, and the only one in Queensland for the year.
Headlined by the thrilling 11,000hp, 500+kph BLAHST Top Fuel and XPRO Nitro Funny Car machines, the packed schedule is also featuring Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Mod, and Pro Stock Bike, alongside a full complement of hundreds of Aeroflow Sportsman Championship competitors.
Seven pro brackets enjoyed their first rounds of qualifying today, while BLAHST Top Fuel will venture out for the first time tomorrow.
In XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Josh Leahy currently leads the way following Q1 with his 7.620 second pass putting him ahead of defending champ Morice McMillin (8.258), local hero Justin Walshe (8.323), and birthday boy Damon Paton (8.859).
While the times are not representative of the capability of these machines, Leahy says they point towards the potential for some incredible performances Saturday and Sunday.
“We were really excited to get out there – these conditions are conditions we don’t usually get to run in, so we were pretty keen to get out there and see what the car could hold, and lo and behold, we probably could have thrown more at it,” Leahy said.
“We really appreciate Willowbank Raceway for putting on a track that is even better than we anticipated. I think if tonight is anything to go by, we will be in for some really fast racing this weekend.
“The conditions will be here for three-nineties, and I expect that at least the top half of the qualifying ladder will be in the threes. I can’t wait.”
The qualifying for XPRO Nitro Funny Car was delayed due to a scary incident for Jeremy Callaghan in Top Doorslammer.
What started out as a very impressive run for ‘The Missile’ – with Callaghan running a new Personal Best of 5.602 seconds at 415.32kph – quickly went awry when his chutes departed from his Camaro, seeing him unable to pull up in the deep end.
While he likely won’t be able to continue this weekend due to the damage incurred, for now, Callaghan’s time is the best of the 13-strong Doorslammer field, which are competing for just eight spots available for Sunday’s eliminations racing.
Next quickest currently is Emilio Spinozzi with his new PB 5.641, ahead of Brodie Zappia (5.663), Brody Davies (5.992), Russell Taylor (6.028), John Zappia (6.274), Rob Harrington (6.553), and Ronnie Palumbo – who is on the ‘bump spot’ on 6.835. Currently on the outside looking in are Peter Lovering (7.601), Lisa Gregorini (7.888), Jack Danaher (8.695), Daniel Gregorini (11.870), and Salim Matta (11.873) with two more qualifiers to come Saturday.
“I am as good as I can be, considering what has unfolded,” Callaghan explained in the pits after being cleared by the on-track medical team.
“The car did a great job with the safety elements, everything worked out good.
“We had a mechanical failure at the back of the car where the chutes mount, so the chutes didn’t pull me up properly and we went through the first net and then the second net. I felt a light tug from the chute but I knew straight away (that something was wrong) as it wasn’t what I normally feel when I pull the chutes, so I thought, I am in trouble here.
“It is funny how your brain works though – I heard Skip (crew chief Glenn Davies) telling me what number I ran, so I am thinking about that, while at the same time thinking, ‘oh, I am flying here.’ It is crazy how the mind operates! I saw the nets coming and I was just trying to knock off speed without popping a tyre.
“It is all a credit to these guys,” Callaghan said in reference to the PB, gesturing to his three children standing with him.
“We build this car at home, just us four, and we turn up here and it runs a 5.60 right off the trailer. We were so close (to 5.59) and it was on a march, so it is such a shame, and I am so disappointed for these guys. They are awesome, and so is the support of everyone who has offered to help.
“We will reassess, reevaluate, and go from there,” he added, before confirming with a wry smile that “yes, I have spoken to the wife, and…she has spoken to me.”
Like Top Doorslammer, the Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod brackets are also utilising an eight-car/bike field and eliminations format racing this weekend.
In Pro Alcohol, Andrew Searle heads up the bracket heading into tomorrow’s Q2 and Q3 thanks to a 5.568 ET, sitting on top of the timesheets ahead of Chris Hargrave (5.671), Darren Fry (5.711), John Cannuli (6.014), Luke Marsden (10.386), Wayne Price (10.686), Cheyne Phillips (11.248) and Daniel Reed – on the bump-spot at 12.698. Ben Bray (13.648), Steven Carpenter (15.527) and Brett White (25.594) will all be anxiously looking to improve Saturday.
Damian Martini leads the way in Top Fuel Motorcycle, with his 6.656 ET seeing him undeniably on top of the ladder currently ahead of Neville Smith (8.829), Ian Ashelford (9.048), Corey Buttigieg (13.565), Danny Rickard (23.979) and John Zahra (26.342).
Things are much tighter at the top in Pro Stock qualifying, with the whole field currently covered by 0.185 seconds. In the top position is Aaron Tremayne (6.889), followed closely by Tyronne Tremayne (6.902), Robert Dekert (6.971) and Omar Sedmak (6.998) being chased down by John Barbagallo (7.041) and Darryl Stephen (7.074).
In Pro Stock Bike, Callam Godeassi is on top of the ladder with a 7.252 ET set today, ahead of Paul Andrews (7.366), Locky Ireland (7.656), Luke Crowley (7.795), Ryan Learmonth (8.115), Jason Lee (8.697), Vanessa Rohdmann (10.948) and Sam Scerri (15.00).
In Pro Mod, Adam Tassone was the closest to the 5.85 index with his 5.862 ET, seeing him into the number one position at the end of Q1 ahead of Lorenzo Gullotto (6.017), Joe Gauci (6.027) and Neil Murphy (6.127).
While qualifying continues for all eight pro brackets Saturday, the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship racers have spent the last two days completing their qualifying, with Nevaeh McDougall (Aeroflow Junior Dragster), Kye Badcock (Aeroflow Junior Drag Bike), Ace Edwards (Super Street), Adriana Cartledge (Modified), Michael Schaper (Super Sedan), Johnny Lewis (Modified Bike), Darren Whitford (Top Sportsman), Scott Hoffman (Super Comp), Khan Tait (Supercharged Outlaws) and Edge Mallis (Performance Bike) securing the top qualifying honours for their respective championship brackets. The first rounds of commenced this afternoon for Aeroflow Junior Dragster, Super Street, and Super Sedan, with the rest of the brackets set to join in the eliminations fun Saturday.
The Gulf Western Oil Winternationals action continues tomorrow, Saturday June 6, with action on-track from 8.00am for the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship, and Group One on-track from 11.00am. For the full event schedule, entry lists and other event information, visit https://nationaldragracing.com.au/event/winternationals/
To learn more about the National Drag Racing Championship, visit www.ndrc.tv
