Motorsport is dangerous. We all know there are risks but it still comes as a shock when accidents happen and racers are put in harm's way.

Anthony Begley was recently reminded at the 2013 Nitro Champs just how dangerous motorsport can be, when he was engulfed in flames after the engine exploded in the Chemical Warfare Nitro Funny Car.

"At about half track an exhaust valve broke and lifted the head up about an inch", said Begley. "There wasn't any warning that the engine wasn't happy. Usually it will lay over a bit or give off a pop letting you know it's time to get off the gas."

With the head raised, this allowed fuel to be pumped onto the headers which erupted into a huge fire. It burnt a hole in the left hand side of the fire wall and instantaneously filled the driver's compartment with flames.

This Saturday 18 May 2013 will host the last competitive hit-out at Willowbank Raceway prior to the beginning of 2013's FUCHS Winternationals festivities.

A very strong contingent of Queensland's best racers will be on track for this weekend's Sportsman event (a round of the Willowbank Raceway track championship) before competition ceases ahead of the largest drag racing event held outside of the US.

Willowbank Raceway Manager Steve Bettes said just three weeks remain until up to 500 racers and 40,000 spectators besiege Queensland's premier drag racing facility across June 7-10.

Rod Britton - New Peth Motorplex Drag Racing ManagerGeneral Manager, Kevin Prendergast, announced today that Perth Motorplex has appointed Rod Britton as the new Drag Racing Manager. Former Drag Racing Manager, Dean Neal, takes on the newly created position of Promotion and Media Manager.

Kevin Prendergast said, "Motorsport in Australia has seen major market changes in recent years and at Perth Motorplex we are continually moving with the market changes to actually grow with the opportunities, especially with WA's vibrant economy and ideal weather conditions .

"Our founder and Director Gary Miocevich works closely with us to set the strategic direction and visionary plans and I believe that is what gives us the competitive edge at Perth Motorplex", Prendergast added.

Round 2 of the Hidden Valley Drag Strip Track Championship Series kicks off this Saturday and entries suggest the big guns are coming back out to play.

After disappearing for a fishing trip last month, its Matt Abel and his 1957 Chev Top Doorslammer that may be the wildcard come Saturday night. Not having raced since September 2012, Abel is looking for a fast start to the new season.

Playing double duties for the first time, Abel will also join the ranks of many local families with both father and daughter racing for the first time ever at the same event.

Jennifer Harrison - ANDRA Business Development managerAs part of the strategic plan for development of drag racing in Australia, ANDRA has appointed Jennifer Harrison as the new Business Development Manager.

Ms. Harrison has 14 years experience in the motorsports industry, primarily focusing on marketing, public relations and event management. Before taking on the role at ANDRA, Ms. Harrison served as the Events Operations Manager at Octane Events and Business Manager at Barbagallo Raceway.

"I'm really excited to be involved with the most powerful motorsport on the planet," said Ms. Harrison. "While I've only been in the role for few weeks now I've been absorbing a lot and I'm looking forward to developing a range of new business opportunities for corporate partners and growing our fan base."

I'm sure we've all heard about that cheap part that stands in the way of what would have been an awesome run & this is exactly what happened to Steven Reed in his Allstar Batteries Top Alcohol Funny Car, last weekend for the Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway.

The 1st run off the trailer for Q1 showed a great 5.59 E.T on the scoreboards but in the pits that run left a trail of destruction after a piston was torched. The team got in and did the hard yards to do a complete engine change. Motor change complete and after Q2 Reed still held position No 1 & so the decision was made that the 1st run would be their only qualifying pass. Qualifying complete & the 5.59 was good enough for the 2nd position.

Heading into the 2013 Nitro Champs the goals were simple for Darren Morgan Racing; be consistent, go rounds and regain the championship lead.

At the conclusion of racing the team put a big tick next to all 3 goals and Darren Morgan now leads the ANDRA Top Fuel Championship over nearest rival Phil Lamattina, 605 points to 551.

“Wow! What a great weekend of drag racing,” exclaimed Darren Morgan. “We went into the Nitro Champs with a plan and to see it come together like it did was just awesome. As a budget operation it’s really gratifying to perform so well against some of our more fancied rivals from both Australia and the US.”

The 2013 Nitro Champs was an event that gave Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Scott White something to smile about. He was able to qualify in the top half of the field and got past the first round of eliminations. In fact White was so happy to have gone into the semi-finals that for the Darwin racer it may as well have been the finals.

"We came to the Nitro Champs with some hesitation because we have had a possible ignition problem that was effecting the timing on the AMPAC Suzuki, but having found someone in Darwin who gave us some advice we came to Sydney with our fingers crossed," said White.