NDRC – National Drag Racing Championship
Riverbend Nationals
Dragway at The Bend
March 28-29, 2026

Riverbend Nationals Delivers Mega Sunday Showdown

The Riverbend Nationals has delivered a powerhouse day of racing at Dragway at The Bend today, with an intensive schedule showcasing standout performances from more than 180 NDRC racers.

After Saturday’s running was shortened by inclement weather, fans were rewarded with a mega Sunday of racing from the 11,000hp BLAHST Top Fuelers and XPRO Nitro Funny Cars, 14 Top Doorslammers, Top Fuel Motorcycles, Pro Alcohols, and Pro Mods as well as a full field of Aeroflow Sportsman Championship competitors from all across the country; all chasing NDRC Gold Christmas Trees and early-season momentum.

Top Fuel Motorcycle

In Top Fuel Motorcycle, South Australian Danny Rickard (7.681/269.11kph) took an emotional win in the A-Final from Damian Martini (13.608s) with plenty of speed in a run which saw Martini burn himself up and shut off early. In the B-Final, Corey Buttigieg (7.985/198.97kph) ran a solo in which he chewed up his head gaskets but was still a clean run compared to his first two runs, running wide in round one and touching the wall in round two.

“Today was awesome, it has been a few years since we had a win. I couldn’t have done this without Adelaide Bike Works, Mark Hood, Wayno McGuinness for the tune – good work, man – and all the Faster Moto guys, and Blast Worx, and the cooks and chefs,” said Rickard, who was clearly emotional.

“A good mate of mine, one of my crew, passed away a few weeks ago. This is for him.”

Aeroflow Sportsman Classes

Competition Bike

Winner – Ken Collin
Runner-up – Joe Khoury
#1 Qualifier – Ken Collin

Modified Bike

Winner – Matt Jones
Runner-up – Dean Jamieson
#1 Qualifier – Dean Jamieson

 

Junior Drag Bike

In the Aeroflow Sportsman Junior Drag Bike’s ranks, winners were found for not only the Riverbend Nationals, but also for the New Year Nitro campaign, with the final from the cut-short Willowbank Raceway event held during the bracket’s second qualifier, with Neveah McDougall taking the win over Lawrence Raschella in a double red-light run.

Winner – Kobe Ashelford
Runner-up – Bailey Paul
#1 Qualifier – Bailey Paul

While the Riverbend Nationals may now be over, fans do not have to wait long for another nitro-filled show, thanks to the NDRC’s Gulf Western Oil Nitro Champs across May 1-3 at Sydney Dragway, which will feature a stacked Group One lineup featuring BLAHST Top Fuel, XPRO Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike, as well as the Aeroflow Sportsman Championship. Tickets and entries are available now, so make sure you do not miss out on this epic nitro party.

For details of these and other upcoming NDRC events, please visit https://nationaldragracing.com.au/

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For more information about the NDRC, please visit www.ndrc.tv