With qualifying for Top Fuel now concluded at the Riverbend Nationals under perfect blue skies, PremiAir Nulon Racing is looking forward to what is set to be a great day of racing tomorrow (Sunday) for the latest round of the NDRC Top Fuel title chase.
Peter Xiberras and the PremiAir Nulon Racing Top Fuel dragster head into race day third on the qualifying ladder, courtesy of the time recorded in Q1 (3.832/316.32mph).
In that Q1 run, the team was part of delivering an incredible side-by-side pass with defending champion Damien Harris (3.822/320.97mph) – a more than fitting way to open the Top Fuel ledger in front of a packed house, which quickly rose to their feet to applaud the thrilling pass.
The team’s Q2 performance was notably strong, as indicated by the data. However, PremiAir Nulon Racing didn’t receive an official time for this run. Peter Xiberras faced a ‘time out’ from the starter for exceeding the seven-second limit to stage, following Phil Read’s double-bulb maneuver in the opposing lane.
PremiAir Nulon Racing and the rest of the NDRC Top Fuel field will return to Dragway at The Bend for racing tomorrow, Sunday April 7, at 11.00am, 1.30pm and 4.00pm local time (note that daylight savings ends midnight tonight). For event information, visit www.ndrc.tv
QUOTEBOARD: PETER XIBERRAS – RIVERBEND NATIONALS, SATURDAY 6 APRIL, 2024
“South Australia really has turned on the perfect weather here at Dragway at The Bend for qualifying day, and we have had a fantastic time here in both of our qualifying sessions, even if the second one unfortunately didn’t end up counting towards our qualifying results,” Xiberras said.
“To once again be part of the first Top Fuel pass for the event was cool, and we went head-to-head with defending champion Damien Harris and it was a thrilling run for sure.
“In our first qualifier with Damien, it was a fantastic race all the way to the line, seeing us separated by just 100th of a second at the finish line.
“Damien might have edged us out with a better start, but you still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face – runs like that are what this sport is all about and I love seeing the looks on the fans’ faces after a side-by-side pass like that!
“It was great also to be able to put on a show like that when we have Courtney from Nulon South Australia and her guests joining us here at the drag strip for the very first time.
“They may be familiar with our Supercars exploits, but to be able to showcase the excitement and experience of this other facet of PremiAir Nulon Racing has been great and we are thrilled to be sharing this adventure with them this weekend.
“In Q2, it was another really strong pass and our data shows it was similar to our Q1 effort, but alas when Phil double-bulbed I just didn’t have time to get into stage in time before being timed out. It is a real shame, but we head into racing Q3 on the ladder and knowing we have a really strong package under us, and that is the main thing!”
For more information on PremiAir Nulon Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.twitter.com/premiairracing
