Thru no fault of itself – the NDRC’s first round of 2026 for its XPRO Nitro Funny Car division — did not have the desired outcome.

Five-nitro burning machines did travel to Willowbank Raceway for the opening season frame as part of that track’s NDRC Pro Alcohol Nationals feature race.

After Saturday’s program saw qualifying completed for the 11,000 HP flame-throwing Funny Cars, three rounds of ‘all run format’ racing was planned for Sunday as those teams looked to snag the early championship points and an NDRC Christmas Tree trophy.

That extremely hot yet fantastic day began at 1.00 pm with the opening round. Teams in both the XPRO Funny Car and Pro Alcohol divisions saw the drivers and crews really demonstrate their skill and tenacity as they tackled track temperatures of close to 140 degrees – a big ask for the high-powered cars.

In the XPRO Nitro Funny Cars, the NT’s Adam Murrihy – making his comeback after last February’s season-ending motorcross accident – and Damon Paton in his new-look funny car, were the first to face off, with the pair side-by-side at the half-track before both buttoned off, although Murrihy did have another quick stab towards the finish line.

Even so, Paton had enough to roll across for the win by seven hundredths of a second (4.796/168.99kph to 4.860/277.78kph).

Next up was Top Qualifier Josh Leahy, who was off after the 60-foot with tyre shake, turning on the win light regardless (8.912/123.95kph) thanks to him tackling the track solo.

Then it was time for reigning champion Morice McMillin to roll-out alongside 2024 champ, Justin Walshe. This was a head-turning side-by-side, tyre-spinning run, with Walshe chasing down McMillin in the second half of the track after having earlier been side-by-side. Unfortunately for the Gold Coaster, he would run out of race track before he could get back in front. McMillin took the win, with his 4.308/382.83kph result triumphing over Walshe’s 4.555/389.34kph pass.

When it came time for XPRO Nitro Funny Car to roll out for round two, they did so after a short delay necessitated by a brief shower in the braking area. This saw the track temperature having dropped around 30-40 degrees since round one was held, seeing the anticipation for big numbers high as Leahy took to the left lane while Paton lined up in the right.

The pair left with full candles on both sides of the strip, before Leahy lifted off early while Paton ran through for an impressive early shut-off 4.09 second pass – this saw Paton go two from two, putting him in the box seat at that point for an A-Final berth.

Alas, this is where things would go awry for the Pro Alcohol Nationals. Not to be outdone by the performances on track, Mother Nature decided to put on her own show mid-way as McMillin and Walshe waited to approach the burnout box for their XPRO Nitro Funny Car round two and Pro Alcohol sat in the staging lanes, bringing what were unprecedented winds for a major meeting at the Ipswich venue.

The sheer force of the gusts quickly saw gazebos destroyed, banners ripped from fences, and fans ducking for cover. When the wind finally died down, the rains had set in and lightning cracked overhead, forcing organisers to call this competition in favour of the weather gods much to the disappointment of all involved.

With the event declared ‘incomplete’ the XPRO Nitro Funny Car (and Pro Alcohol racers) will each receive six points towards their championship chases.

NDRC’s next round for the both XPRO Nitro FC and Pro Alcohol divisions will be held March 28-19th at the Riverbend Nationals (Tailem Bend SA).

Posted by Amanda Cobb
Photos by Bruce Biegler

More XPRO Nitro Funny Car photos included in event gallery: HERE