The 2013 Fuchs Winternationals may have ended in rain but that didn't stop Murray O'Connor getting amongst the quickest and fastest cars in ANDRA's hottest bracket, Top Doorslammer.

After recording back-to-back 5.8-second passes in qualifying and a semi-finals berth at the recent Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway, Team O'Connor was looking forward to a promising Winternationals campaign.

Despite the team's best preparation, the tune-up saw the car break into tyre shake 100-feet into the first run and move towards the centreline.

O'Connor explains, "I had to give it a quick peddle (modulation of the throttle) and a straighten up before I again nailed the throttle. Unfortunately, the blower belt broke at three-quarter track and the Falcon coasted through for a 6.21-second pass at just over 220mph.

Wet weather has brought a premature end to the 2013 FUCHS Winternationals campaign of Team Bray Racing at Willowbank Raceway today, with the fourth and final day of the event abandoned due to rain.

Team Bray Racing's Ben Bray was set to tackle a record Top Doorslammer field in eliminations today after qualifying seventh courtesy of his 5.937 second effort at 246.35 miles per hour, however the decision was made by track management at midday on Monday to abandon 'finals day' with points to be awarded for completed rounds as per the ANDRA rule book.

For Victor Bray, it is a bittersweet result as while the event is a favourite at his home track, the record bump spot for the bracket – seeing the field declared the quickest in Australian history – of 5.970 seconds did see him on the outside looking in , with championship rivals Peter Kapiris and John Zappia both able to qualify.

For PC Group Ford Mustang Pro Stock driver Jason Grima, the results from the recent Nitro Champs in Sydney was a mixed bag.

Grima has been in a point's battle between Wayne Daley since the 2012/13 Pro Stock Championship started in November last year at Sydney Dragway and was keen to use some of that home track advantage on the opposition.

Joined by his USA "Test Dummy" driver Brandon Huhtala, both qualified in the top half of the 16-car field with Grima in sixth (7.02), and Huhtala one step better with a PB of 7.019.

ANDRA Top Fuel pilot Phil Lamattina has vowed his team will leave no stone unturned in the effort to win the FUCHS Winternationals event for the long time sponsor of the LTFR Top Fuel car.

"FUCHS are simply the best sponsor that we as a team could have on the side of our race car," explained Lamattina.

"Their involvement in drag racing has seen them sponsor the best event on the calendar and although any win is sweet, to take home Winternationals Gold is just that bit sweeter."

Some tune-up changes have given the team a new level of confidence heading into the Queensland round.

Team Mopar Australia's main man, Lee Bektash, is ready to rumble at Australian drag racing's biggest event, the Fuchs Winternationals – and the Victorian racer is looking to do something big.

Fresh from his maiden round win at the 2013 Nitro Champs, the Pro Stock campaigner is confident that he and his team can continue the form that saw them defeat one of the strongest fields ever assembled in Australian drag racing.

"I want more gold – ANDRA Gold," chuckled Bektash referring to his ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree haul in Sydney.

"The new car had an amazing debut but we don't want it to stop there, we want more."

Round 9 of the Australian Top Fuel Championship kicks off this holiday weekend at the 2013 Winternationals from Willowbank Raceway in Queensland.

After top qualifying and winning the recent Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway, Darren Morgan Racing has regained the lead in the championship and will be looking to extend that lead at Australia's biggest and most spectacular drag race.

"We've made the final at the last three rounds on the calendar and we're excited about what lays ahead this weekend," said Darren Morgan. "Willowbank is renowned for great traction and with the cool winter air consistent 4.60s is what we'll be aiming for."