The 2012 Winternationals didn't quite start out as planned for Steve Reed and the Reed Racing Team. Truth be told, for a split second Steve thought it was the end of his drag racing career.

How did it get to this? Let’s go back a few years to January 2009.

It was the Night Fire Champs at Willowbank Raceway and as Steve passed the 1000ft mark the engine let go in his Top Alcohol Funny Car. A massive fire ball erupted from under the body, obscuring Steve’s vision as he slid out of control into the braking area.

Steve walked away from the crash with some minor injuries but with some significant damage to his back pocket.

That would be two ANDRA Supercharged Outlaw Championships. And that’s exactly what Matt Watts was able to achieve with a runner-up finish at the 2012 ANDRA Winternationals.

Hailing from Alice Springs, Matt got his first taste of drag racing when his dad, Guy Watts, a 20 year veteran of the sport, gave his son the option of continuing to race dirt go-karts or lose the skirt (ED: I added that bit) and go drag racing in the families’ modified altered.

After a short stint of 3 races behind the wheel of the altered, Matt made the move to Brisbane to play professional Rugby League for the Redcliffe Dolphins after being spotted by a local talent scout.