Australian Top Fuel Series to be rejigged for the 2015 ANDRA season?

 

A rejigged Top Fuel Championship of just five events, and running from January to June, is currently under discussion and could see the light of day next season.

JustDragRacing.com has learned that a series of top-level talks are currently taking place between ANDRA, tracks and teams to reduce the series by two events and compress the schedule from 11 to six months.

The 2014 Top Fuel Championship consisted of 11 rounds contested over seven events, with three events - Perth Motorplex's Nitro Max and Westernationals, and Willowbank Raceway's Santo's Super 3 Extreme - featuring two rounds contested over two nights utilising a three-round format.

We understand the proposed 2015 calendar will again start with the Nitro Max event at Perth's Motorplex in January, and visit Melbourne's Calder Park Raceway and Adelaide International Raceway in the following months.

Sydney Dragway's X-Champs in May is the suggested penultimate round, with the series concluding at Willowbank's Fuchs Winternationals on the Queen's Birthday weekend in June.

The series would include a mix of standard eliminations and the increasingly popular three-round formats.

While the proposal would see official events reduced from seven to five, other events such as Perth's Westernationals and Willowbank's Santo's Super 3 Extreme could continue to feature Top Fuel as paid-for features but without championship points.

As part of the possible shake-up of the sport's top bracket, we also understand Top Fuel Australia, the owners group representing teams, is waiting on a submission by an outside marketing firm interested in assuming its promotion.

JustDragRacing.com has heard that the suggested company has recently employed a former, high-level track office bearer.

If successful, its role with Top Fuel could include series promotion, media management, a new Top Fuel-only television deal, and, quite possibly, full category management.

JustDragRacing.com will keep you up to date with developments as they become available.