Their first event of the new season may still be two weeks away, but the O’Rourke Motorsport transporter, race vehicles and team patriarch Grant O’Rourke have already arrived in the area ready to do their part to promote their sport ahead of the 17-18 July event.

The OMS Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer machines will be on-display at Casuarina Shopping Centre, while TD driver Grant will also be a guest on local radio station breakfast show, before being joined in the Northern Territory by wife and Top Alcohol racer Debbie O’Rourke ready for the main event.

Grant O’Rourke said he was excited to be involved with the pre-promotion of the event, which has been heavily supported by the local state government.

“The Northern Territory government has really gotten behind this event and with 16 Top Doorslammers entered, it is shaping up to be a really great outing,” said Grant O’Rourke.

“I can’t wait to get out there amongst the people and talk to them about this great show, which is the biggest motorsport event for the state behind the V8 Supercar round held here.

“This will be my second time racing in the NT while it will be the third for Debbie, and both of us are very excited to be here and also to be getting ready to come back in August for the next round of Top Doorslammer and also for the ‘Summernats-style’ Red Centre Nats which will be held in Alice Springs later this year.” 

The O’Rourkes will be joined on-track during the event by the first ever appearance of the Top Fuel category in the ‘Top End’, with Santo Rapisarda bringing two of his Top Fuelers up to match race for the fans. 

“The July 17-18 event in the Northern Territory is already shaping up to be a fantastic event, with everything from Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer to a first-ever appearance for Top Fuel on-deck for the fans,” said Debbie O’Rourke.

“We can’t wait!” 

Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association President Scott Maclean said he was looking forward to seeing the O’Rourkes on-track. 

“Debbie is the quickest and fastest woman in Australian motorsport and both she and her husband Grant are fantastic ambassadors for the sport we all love so much, we can’t wait to host them in Hidden Valley once again,” said Maclean.

Image: dragphotos.com.au