In the blistering heat of Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway, Hydraulink Jim Read Racing welcomed 2025 with a triumphant B-Final victory, celebrating Australia Day in style over the weekend.

The New Year Nitro event, held on January 25/26, marked the second round of the 2024/2025 NDRC Top Fuel Championship. The overall event victory was claimed by Rapisarda Autosport International (RAI) racer Damien Harris, with his teammate Wayne Newby finishing as the runner-up.

Phil Read of Hydraulink Jim Read Racing secured the B-Final win against Peter Xiberras with an impressive 3.932-second pass at 279.15 mph. This victory was especially sweet after a challenging first round, where Phil experienced a 4.495/242.32 mph loss to Steve Read, and a solo win in the second round with a 4.11/216.93 mph run. The team left the South-East Queensland venue beaming with joy.

“We had issues all day but changed engines ahead of the final, and I think that cured it,” Phil Read explained. “We eased off early in the B-Final due to a cylinder issue towards the end, but it was a great way to wrap up the weekend with a win.”

Phil expressed his gratitude to the dedicated fans who braved the extreme heat to support the event. “Thank you to the crowd for coming out in what have been atrociously hot conditions and sticking around to the very end. We hope you enjoyed the show.”

He also gave a special shoutout to his brother and crew chief, Bruce Read. “Bruce unexpectedly had his appendix out on Wednesday, and here he is on-track just days later, working his heart out. We couldn’t do this without him.”

Phil extended his thanks to all the sponsors and everyone who made the event possible, and he congratulated the Rapisardas on their success.

This weekend’s event followed the team’s impressive performance at the season opener, where they won the A-Final and set a new national record. Looking ahead, the team is now focused on Perth’s upcoming Westernationals, where they have enjoyed considerable success in the past.

“To have some redemption in the B-Final put a smile on our face to end our time here for New Year Nitro,” said Bruce Read. “We now turn our attention to Perth, where we have had some considerable success in the past.”

Hydraulink National Franchise Manager Wayne Abott says the partnership with Jim Read Racing began late 2019 “and by 2020 we were off and racing. Throughout this time the novel has had many plot twists.

“Each chapter a story; of joys and challenges, success and defeats, steady gains and patience testing trials that would see the average person give up. All throughout this, the team’s perseverance and resolve has remained strong with a commitment to follow through…..to go all the way, no matter what. They define the Hydraulink ethos; “Best Under Pressure.”