For the first time in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, Hidden Valley Drag Strip will host not one but two Top Doorslammer Championship rounds as the 2015/2016 season kicks off at the raceway July 17-18.

Attracting 15 Doorslammers alongside seven Top Alcohol funny cars and dragsters as well as the two-car Top Fuel tandem of Rapisarda Autosport International, the first of two ANDRA Championship events is set to electrify the anticipated capacity crowd.

One month later (August 14-15) Top Doorslammer will return for Round 2 in what is set to be another bumper field of the world’s fastest supercharged V8 sedans racing door to door.

Palmerston, NT local and 1957 Chev Top Doorslammer driver Matt Abel credited the local Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association and the Government for their support in building the profile of the sport and attracting the ANDRA Drag Racing Series for the third year in a row.

“Drag Racing is going from strength to strength up here,” said Abel. “New cars just keep turning up and the club up here do a good job at promoting and running the events.

“Government support is allowing Darwin to host these events and we are very grateful for that.

“I’m excited to say the least about two rounds in Darwin, the weather is fantastic up here at this time of the year, the track is first class and the Darwin spectators are passionate about Doorslammers.”

One year ago Abel qualified second behind now eight-time Top Doorslammer Champion John Zappia racing to the semifinals where he was eliminated by eventual runner-up Stuart Bishop.

Due to track upgrades, Abel hasn’t made a pass in anger since then but he is confident he can pick up where he left off with the frustration of that loss 12 months ago still fresh in his mind.

“Doorslammer is such a tough bracket to race in, I figure I've got a chance against any other racer in the field but all things being even, I'd prefer to be on the opposite side of the ladder from Zap (John Zappia), he is just so consistent.

“I would hope to go further than last year, I was a little disappointed I felt we had the car to make the final – the track caught us out and we have been working on making sure that it doesn't happen this time around. 

“The down side is that we haven't made any passes since the event last year because of track upgrades so we better be on our A-game and be lucky.”