400 Thunder era brings re-fuelled bracket names

400 Thunder has confirmed a fitting rebrand of four of the six leading drag racing brackets, creating a consistent naming structure that mirrors the professional nature of the exciting new series.

The premier four and two wheel brackets will be known as Top Fuel and Top Bike, reflecting their status as the pinnacle categories of drag racing.

The remaining brackets will be titled Pro Alcohol, Pro Slammer, Pro Stock and Pro Bike – drawing on their rich origins, close racing, and professional standings.

Series spokesperson Gerald McDornan said the re-branding of four brackets is part of the evolution of the sport and creates a coherent naming structure.

"400 Thunder was created to revitalise the top end of Australian drag racing, and it is important we re-invigorate the bracket branding while also drawing on their respective histories," McDornan said.

"Top Fuel remains as it is known the world over as the sport's premier category, the kings of drag racing, while the rebranding of Top Bike better reflects the class' diversity and its standing as the pinnacle for motorcycle competitors.

"Pro Alcohol, Pro Slammer, Pro Stock and Pro Bike bring the sport's closest and most professional racing categories into alignment with each other."

McDornan said Pro Slammer branding is the next phase of Top Doorslammer's evolution; from a Sportsman bracket pioneered by Willowbank Raceway stalwarts Dennis Syrmis and Lex Swayn, and first run at the track in September 1989, into the professional but still wild supercharged, 3,500-horsepower, alcohol-burning sedan class that it is today.

Similarly, Pro Alcohol demonstrates the progression of the heads-up category into the fastest Alcohol-burning drag racing car class in the world with its immaculately presented vehicles producing some of the most intense and closest racing seen in Australia.

Meanwhile, the factory hot-rod car and bike brackets – Pro Stock and Pro Bike – remain in line with their U.S. origins.

"We believe the new titles align the brackets with each other and portray the series' core value: to present Australia's best pro racers battling it out on the country's premier drag strips," McDornan said.

Pro Slammer and Top Bike headline the next 400 Thunder event, the Home Group WA Nitro Slam, which takes place at Perth Motorplex from 4-5 December.