Hydraulink Jim Read Racing has not only won the Aeroflow Spring Nationals – round one of the 2024/2025 NDRC Top Fuel Championship chase – but also Top Qualified at the event with the quickest Top Fuel pass ever set in Australia (3.72 seconds, run at 522.62kph).
The Read team – sporting the logo of the "Best Under Pressure" Hydraulink brand – lived up to its sponsor's corporate signature with performances that were the toast of the town on the Dragway at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia recently (October).
The Australasian Hydraulink hose and fittings supply and service network more typically provides services to civil engineering, commercia, industrial, mining and primary industry, while supporting sporting events that require engineering excellence and top reliability.
Hydraulink has been a long-time supporter of Jim Read Racing, whose driver, Phil Read was ecstatic with the latest results, including the qualifying rocket run and following it up with the finals win while racing to raise funds for Snap-On's Socket to Breast Cancer Campaign.
"That proves (the record) wasn't a fluke!" enthused Read after taking the victory. It felt good, it felt really good from start to finish, it just took off and it was flying; smooth as.
Working their way through to the A-Final with wins in round one (3.793/486.2kph, over defending champion Damien Harris) and round two (3.835/434.49kph over Kyle Putland), their final triumph came over Wayne Newby in the A-Final with a 3.762/516.74kph effort to Newby's 8.035/80.52kph pass.
"A 3.76 is great, we thought it would run 3.77. I think we are starting to get a handle on this at this track, so hopefully we can keep it going!
"And to Dad (drag racing legend Jim Read) and Denise (watching at home in Sydney), 'Look Dad – no oil!' " he laughed.
"This place (Dragway at The Bend) is the mecca of drag racing – it is so, so smooth, and is just a great place to be."
For Crew Chief Bruce Read, the result has been a long-time coming.
"This has been 12 months in the making since I went to America and worked over there and came back with a whole new plan," Bruce Read said.
"This result is a testament to my guys sticking with me and having faith in me that we would eventually get it right, and also to our sponsors for sticking with us – particularly Hydraulink, Snap-On, and Valvoline.
Thank you to all of our partners, we couldn't do this without you, and also to my crew – they are just the best.
"This is a bit of a strange feeling for me at the moment, last night when we broke the Australian record I was just speechless, absolutely gobsmacked, and that is still the case now after the win – it is not often I am lost for something to say, but I am just blown away by what we have been able to achieve together this weekend.
"Top Fuel racing really is the greatest show on earth and this was a great weekend, it was OUR weekend, and we couldn't be happier.
"To put this in perspective, we ran a 3.72, a 3.79, a 3.83 and a 3.76, all with the same motor in the car all weekend.
Hydraulink applauds latest Chapter of Joy
"Compare that to the Winternationals where we used four motors in four runs and never made it down the track – this just really demonstrates how amazing this weekend has been.
"I said it before but I will say it again – this is a credit to my crew for putting in the hours over the off-season and keeping the faith. As one of my guys said to me today, we are in this together, and that is so true."
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."
"This weekend (October 18-20) they wrestled back the National Record set at 3.725 seconds at 522.62 kph during qualifying. It proudly sits with the team, at least for now. Then on race day, they backed it up with 3 full send passes to collect the Spring Nationals winner's trophy. This is the team that did it…. Hydraulink + Jim Read Racing = Best Under Pressure.
