New Zealand native Morice McMillin collects third straight NDRC Nitro Funny Car event.

At the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs event at Sydney Dragway — it was a tense A-Final for the XPRO Nitro Funny Cars division.

Morice McMillin was keen to get a circuit hat-trick while Justin Walshe (the defending NDRC points champion) was  looking for his first victory since last year’s Winternationals.

But in the final it was ultimately McMillin (3.987/522.14kph – his second three second pass of the day) who took the win over Walshe (4.032kph/492.99kph) following a crowd pleasing side-by-side run with the candles lit all the way.

The B-Final was taken out by Josh Leahy (4.007/511.56kph) in his first time past the box after two separate fuel leaks across race day, taking the win over rookie Damon Paton (4.077/504.90kph), who set a new PB on his run despite shutting off around the 1000ft marker.

“It’s good to get this Sydney hoodoo off the back. We had people from every team working on the car for that round, and one of our guys actually had to shoot off to hospital, so Jamie mate, this is for you,” McMillin said as he held up the NDRC Gold Christmas Tree Trophy after the final run.

“Man, how good is this Boosted rocket. To get back into the threes and get the thing sorted, it’s been a good day for us. We’ll get these other cars sorted out and come the Winters, watch out. Side-by-side and fully lit is what we want for the crowd, and that’s what XRPO Nitro Funny Cars are about.”

McMillin was the top qualifying car with a 4.004 second pass at 518.14kph which came in Q1.  The 4-car field was rounded out by Justin Walshe, Josh Leahy and Damon Paton.

Posted by Amanda Cobb (Jigsaw Communications) 

Photos by Grant Stephens (Cackling Pipes)