Australia’s NDRC series presents its third season round for its “big show” brand of fuel Funny Cars at — Riverbend Nationals.

In XPRO Nitro Funny Car racing at Dragway at The Bend (Tailem Bend SA), it was Josh Leahy’s 3.993-second 511.62kph run in the first qualifying session was good enough to hand the Rocket Industries Ford Mustang racer the top qualifying honours and also marked the Spring Nationals winner’s first time in ‘the threes.’

Class qualifying also saw USA star Tommy Johnson Jr, (who is filling in for reigning champ Justin Walshe – due to illness) putting his best foot forward with a 4.015 second 501.90kph run in the second session to secure the second-quickest time in Q2.

Rounding out the 4-car field was, Damon Paton — third-quickest at (4.087s/490.62kph) – a laudable result given Paton was making his debut this weekend & with Morice McMillin fourth (4.808s/263.35kph).

But on Raceday Sunday, it was time again for Morice McMillin to shine as he made it two victories in a row, as he backed up his New Year Nitro win (at Willowbank last January) — with the A-Final victory — over his team-mate Leahy.

It was a convincing victory for McMillin, who stormed to the win with a very stout 3.962/522.85kph (low ET / top speed) while Leahy had the candles out early (5.546/206.72kph).

In round two, Paton (4.276/371.47kph) had drifted towards the wall in a pass against Leahy (4.067/494.2kph) while McMillin had to drive it hard after getting out of the groove, impressively laying down a 3.963/514.86kph to eliminate Johnson Jr, who shook the tyres (5.149/237.97kph).

In the B-Final, Tommy Johnson Jr took home a victory with a 4.041/519.56kph pass.  It was a full candles side-by-side run against debutant Damon Paton, who more than made his mark with a great first weekend in the bracket with a 4.124/472.57kph pass.

“It was so good to race Josh in the final — we were both having a go when you look at our lights,” said McMillin.  “So, I’m just glad we finally figured this new combination out.”

R/UP and teammate Leahy added,  “It’s been an awesome weekend, honestly.  “We may not have won the A-Final, but Team Rocket won this weekend.  To go away with two 3-second passes is unreal — and was not something we were expecting coming into this weekend.” 

Next up for the XPRO FC division season schedule on the NDRC calendar is the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs at Sydney  May 2-4 – followed by the season finale Gulf Western Oil Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway June 5-8.

Posted by Amanda Cobb (Jigsaw Communications)

Photos by Grant Stephens (Cackling Pipes Photography)