It’s a tasty proposition to say the least.
Fourteen Doorslammers at the world class Dragway at The Bend for the Riverbend Nationals 2025 this weekend.
And it’s anyone’s Christmas tree.
When you delve into the victors (no pun intended – though Victor would have LOVED this joint in the 57’ just sayin) and the heartbreak at The Bend so far it’s been a wild combination of moments that nobody saw coming.
Remember the first ever time when Lisa and Ronnie DIDN’T go at it in the A-Final and it had to be re-run in Perth?
Remember when Zap was DQ’d for a crew member start line infringement?
Remember when we had that MEGA qualifying session where cars were separated by ten thousands of seconds?
Remember when Russell Taylor got over his hoodoo there and got the job done although it was after the finish he got the W?
Remember when Ronnie Palumbo and Lisa Gregorini faced each other AGAIN in the A-Final ‘and the girls’ created history with their first ever Gold Christmas tree for the Spring Nationals?
Remember Daniel Gregorini’s infamous “yeah but she still has to cook me dinner” line when Lisa took him down?
Remember Ronnie Palumbo’s infamous burnout debut that later became a Gold Christmas tree weeks later?
Remember the huge crowds.
The sizzling side by side ET’s.
And the wicked racing.
Well this weekend’s fifth round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship brings all that and more to the surface as we bring in some new names and some major title fights going on in the points.
West Aussie rookie Brodie Zappia is on a tear in the Max Plant Monaro – fresh off his win in the 54th Westernationals and then subsequently the Direct Industrial & Mining WA Series and he’ll relish the chance to make his debut at The Bend this weekend.
Zappia currently sits fourth in the NDRC Championship standings behind his legendary Uncle John Zappia in third.
“Zap” could no doubt consider The Bend as ‘unfinished business’ in the Fuchs/Dananni Monaro as he has been given the win light there only to have it revoked on a start line infringement.
He did however score victory there and redeem himself at a place that he always enjoys for the air quality and the surface combined at this very event last year – he’s the defending Riverbend Nationals champion.
Defending national champion and current Championship leader Russell Taylor has had a rollercoaster ride at The Bend so far but sprinkled into some occasional frustration has been Taylor’s hallmark blistering ET’s and consistency making him a favourite at every race and every pass he stages for.
Russell is looking to consolidate his 126 points lead and build towards an historic back-to-back Championship win situation (which has to be considered historic if he achieves it as a rookie and then second year racer) in the always hectic Camaro rumoured to be powered by ice coffee!
Marlow’s Lagoon missile Matt Abel has been showing some much-needed consistency and it’s only a matter of time before the black 57’ Chev breaks through for a major NDRC Top Doorslammer result.
ACT racer Jeremy Callaghan has pulled off a major miracle with the Moits Motorsport crew to rebuilt the immaculate Camaro after his spectacular rollover at the Westernationals last month and he’ll be looking to avenge an early mechanical exit at The Bend last year and make this weekend memorable for many reasons.
Sydney’s Ronnie Palumbo and Maurice Fabietti make a welcome return to the fold in the AC Delco Monaro for the first time since the series opener at The Bend last year and after their win a few weeks back in Sydney for Jamboree they have some speed and confidence coming back to a track they’re always fast at.
Former Aussie Champ Daniel Gregorini has had his hands full of late with the Scratch and Match Camaro but his speed at The Bend has never been questioned with his PB of a 5.601 there and his passion for running under the radar is well documented despite some niggling complications in recent rounds.
New Zealander Steve Carlsen makes his NDRC debut in his striking red 65’ Ford Falcon Sprint as he realises a drag racing dream to run with the fabled ‘Doorslammer’ class in Australia.
Carlsen competed in Sydney recently at the Jamboree but this step into Slammer at The Bend is surely a huge moment for the Kiwi as he hopes to lower his 6.20 in Sydney closer to the very low 6’ mark this weekend.
Adelaide truckie Mick Mahoney brings his stunning Shelby back into the game as they continue to work through the development of the car and larrikin fellow South Aussie Scott Ferguson finally straps back in after some time out of the lane after his spectacular Bend debut that was more than everyone bargained for.
Victorian veteran Peter Kapiris has had the bad to the bone Saratoga based in the West for several months and after his surprise take down of Russell Taylor at the Motorplex during the Westernationals the sixty-something veteran wants to continue with the upsets with his pair of “JC” wild cards in the deck.
The sweet Corvette of Territorian Andrew Sutton is back and so is the newly reno’d “Shoebox” of the man they call “shut up and take my money” Peter Lovering as he looks to lock in some PB’s and stop the in-team heckling from him being beaten by Lisa Gregorini.
It all adds up to the biggest Doorslammer event in NDRC – Bend history as Russell Taylor looks to take a stranglehold on the series, Lisa Gregorini tries to either cement second place or run down Russell for the lead whilst evading the clutches of third placed John Zappia.
The NDRC Australian Top Doorslammer Championship is literally on fire this season and with either a repeat win from Palumbo, Taylor or Gregorini or a new winner at the state of the art South Aussie venue it’ll be a memorable Riverbend Nationals this weekend.
