While Gainesville and the yet-to-be built Bruton Smith drag strip appear at the head of the list for the NHRA's 24^th T.B.A. event, could Sydney Australia be one of the contenders as well.

A source indicates the event would feature the top eight qualifiers in each of the Countdown to the Championship categories if it comes to fruition. The event appears to be a longshot, but odder things have happened on the NHRA POWERade Championship Drag racing tour.

“We have been in negotiations with the NHRA organization for some time now,” remarked WSID Chairman Jim Read. “I have had many ongoing discussions with Senior Vice President-Racing Operations Graham Light from the NHRA and we are excited that very real progress has been made in relation to us securing a round of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing series.”

The suggestion of Sydney joining the NHRA schedule was made on ESPN’s ‘NHRA Today’ Drag Racing program, when announcer Mike Dunn confirmed speculation that Sydney was being closely considered as a date between the 2008 US Nationals in Indianapolis and the round at Dallas.

While Gainesville and the yet-to-be built Bruton Smith drag strip appear at the head of the list for the NHRA's 24^th T.B.A. event, could Sydney Australia be one of the contenders as well.

A source indicates the event would feature the top eight qualifiers in each of the Countdown to the Championship categories if it comes to fruition. The event appears to be a longshot, but odder things have happened on the NHRA POWERade Championship Drag racing tour.

“We have been in negotiations with the NHRA organization for some time now,” remarked WSID Chairman Jim Read. “I have had many ongoing discussions with Senior Vice President-Racing Operations Graham Light from the NHRA and we are excited that very real progress has been made in relation to us securing a round of the 2008 POWERade Drag Racing series.”

The suggestion of Sydney joining the NHRA schedule was made on ESPN’s ‘NHRA Today’ Drag Racing program, when announcer Mike Dunn confirmed speculation that Sydney was being closely considered as a date between the 2008 US Nationals in Indianapolis and the round at Dallas.

When Dunn asked the crowd “would you like to see us race in Sydney Australia?” the response was extremely vocal in support!

“The Countdown to eight makes it logistically attractive to stage a round of the series in Sydney by only needing to bring out the top eight teams, rather than the full compliment in pursuit of the NHRA POWERade Championship,” said Tony Beuk, the WSID General Manager. “We must reiterate however that some further negotiations are required from here before the round is secured for 2008.”

Interestingly, the round has been penciled as a Pro Stock Motorcycle round, which also makes sense considering that Australia has embraced the NHRA engine specification for the category.