With the ANDRA championship off season currently in play, Australia's Top Doorslammer teams aren't resting on their laurels, continuing to compete in the national Slamfest series which takes in eighth mile tracks from around the country and now the quarter mile Hidden Valley for the first time.
Ten ANDRA Top Doorslammer teams have registered for the event, eclipsing the previous largest contingent seen in Darwin in May 2011.
Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association, with support from the Territory Government, has been finalising touches for the big weekend.
HVDRA president Jay Jukes said they were pleased to host the event.
“Drag racing is going from strength to strength in the NT and the calibre of the teams who have registered for this inaugural event shows the potential for Hidden Valley Drag Strip into the future.”
Reigning ANDRA Top Doorslammer champion John Zappia will headline the field but he is going to have his work cut out for him with veteran racers including Maurice Fabietti, Peter Kapiris and Gary Phillips also making the trip north to Hidden Valley.
Coupled with Daniel Gregorini, Frank Mamone and Russell Pavey, the seven strong interstate contingents will also have to overcome the home track advantage that the local racers have.
Matt Abel, Peter Coles and Scott MacLean will be flying the flag for the Territory.
Both Abel and MacLean have been able to run five second passes so have the potential to cause an upset.
While the official track record still stands at 5.909 seconds set by Zappia in May 2011, MacLean boasts the fastest pass of 5.886 seconds at 243mph.
Slamfest gets underway at Hidden Valley Drag Strip from 7pm on Friday 17 August and will continue on Saturday 18 August.