Nitro nirvana down unda

Mark Mariani

Last weekend’s 2010 Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway was the first real event there not affected by the weather in the last eight months. The event was some of the best pro racing DRO Australian correspondent Jon Van Daal says he has seen lately with rookie driver Mark Mariani taking an unlikely but totally deserved win.

Wayne Newby

Other brackets saw incredibly close racing – Maurice Fabietti came back from a massive crash six weeks ago to win Top Doorslammer over the more favoured John Zappia. Top Alky racer Wayne Newby’s dragster took out Gary Phillips’ funny car in the bracket final - 5.63 to 5.73. Aaron Tremayne beat Dave Newcombe on a holeshot to win in Pro Stock 7.119 to a 7.118. The Pro Bike final saw an all South Australian affair when John Badcock beat Phil Howard – 7.44 to 7.53 while in Top Bike Chris Matherson turned back Chris Porter in their final. A full report will appear soon in DRO.  (Jon Van Daal photos) [5/3/2010]