06/09/2026
Long post warning – Winternationals recap
What a weekend.
The Winternationals is the biggest race of the year, and this one will stay with me forever.
Q1 – Like most of the field, we shook the tyres, but gained valuable data for the runs ahead.
Q2 – The weather and track conditions were just about perfect. The car was smooth as silk and ran 5.346 at 273.44mph, making it the quickest blown Alcohol Funny Car ET ever recorded anywhere in the world at the time, while also setting a new Australian speed record.
Q3 – We leaned on it a little harder and the car responded with a 5.330 at 274.05mph, lowering the world record again and resetting the Australian speed record.
Round One – A bit of a wild ride, carrying the front wheels and moving around, but still running 5.378 at 273.55mph for Low ET of the round.
Semi Final – We pushed hard again, but the clutch had other ideas. Even so, the car repeated the exact same 5.378 at 273.55mph. Unfortunately, this time I came up just .012 seconds short of advancing to the final.
While we didn’t come away with the Winternationals trophy, I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved.
This was only my third Winternationals appearance as a Pro Alcohol driver, and I’ve managed to top qualify at all three. As the defending event winner, we knew expectations would be high, but to once again qualify #1 in the quickest Pro Alcohol Drag Racing Australia field in history is something I’m incredibly proud of.
The quality of the racing all weekend was outstanding. Every team stepped up, records were broken, and the fans were treated to an incredible show. How good is qualifying and eliminations!
For as long as I can remember, all I’ve wanted to do was drive one of these cars and compete at the highest level. The amount of work that Mum, Dad and I have put into both of our cars, is beyond measurement. To finally achieve a lifelong goal and become the quickest Blown Alcohol Funny Car driver in the world is incredibly rewarding and proof that hard work pays off.
The engine in the car this weekend came from Dad’s Altered and has been a record-setter from day one. Back in 2016, it powered Dad to become the first Pro Alcohol Funny Car driver into the 5.30s and over 270mph. Last year, it helped him become the first Pro Alcohol Altered driver into the 5.40s and over 260mph. Now, 10 years later, that same engine has helped me set these new records.
Without question, my biggest thanks go to Mum and Dad. None of this happens without them.
A huge thank you also goes to our crew, Jamie and Ryan. Weekends like this don’t happen without great people around you, and we’re fortunate to have you on our team.
And of course, thank you to our sponsors. Without your support, I simply wouldn’t be out there racing.
Chilli Bins
Harts Paint Supplies Gold Coast
NGK Spark Plugs
JPRE - J Payne Race Engineering
Speedflow Australia
ODYSSEY Batteries
South Pine Speed on-board fire systems servicing
Thank you to everyone who sent messages, left comments, stopped by in the pits or came up to congratulate us over the weekend. The support means more than you know.
This weekend was the culmination of decades of passion, sacrifice and hard work, and is difficult to put into words. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.
As for what’s next? I’m not entirely sure.
At this stage, I don’t know when my next race will be, or where it will be. Hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later. Until then, we’ll keep working.
When it comes to chasing ET, the pursuit never stops.
📸 Drag Photos, Corfield Media Solutions, Zotti Motorsport Media, DragRaceCanada
