MOTORSPORT: Aussie is new king of drag racing
Richard Crampton’s 3.766-second sprint with a 527.8kmh finish wins biggest trophy at US NationalsA drag racer from Adelaide has won the sport's biggest race in America.
Richard Crampton triumphed in the premier Top Fuel division of the 60th US Nationals in Indianapolis with a 3.766-second dash down the quarter-mile (402.2m) strip, hitting a top speed of 327.98mph (about 527.8km/h).
The 34-year-old ousted seven-time world champion and nine-time US National winner Tony Schumacher by 0.001 seconds in the semi-finals before pipping Steve Torrence in the final.
A year ago Crampton was only a crew member on the Morgan Lucas Racing machine.
He had already won the US Summernationals at Englishtown, New Jersey, since he was installed in the driver's seat.
“I can hardly believe what's going on,” Crampton said after his success in Indianapolis.
“I'm the luckiest guy in the world, bar none. Just to be driving a Top Fuel car is the dream come true for me.
“We were the 100th different Top Fuel winner in Englishtown and now we've won the 60th US Nationals – that's two pretty historical moments we got to be a part of.
“This is crazy stuff for a kid from Adelaide. I'm a long way from home.”
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