LAKE EILDON, VIC — 11–12 April 2026 — The Liquid Drag Boat Nationals (LDBN) has officially announced its inaugural festival at the Lower Eildon Pondage, a landmark event that will witness the first time Top Fuel Hydros have ever raced on Australian waters. Supported by a $20,000 “Events of Major Significance” grant from the Murrindindi Shire Council, the organisation is introducing a 1000ft (304.8-metre) sprint course. This move aligns Australian competition with international safety standards and creates a new baseline for national speed and elapsed-time records.
Drag boat racing is an acceleration contest between two high-performance vessels starting from a stationary or slow-rolling start. While the sport has traditionally utilised the 1,320ft (quarter-mile) format, the transition to 1000ft provides a greater safety margin for the extreme horsepower seen in the Top Fuel category. As this is the first time this distance and this class of boat have been officially sanctioned in Australia, every winning run at Lake Eildon will effectively set an inaugural Australian 1000ft record.
The headline attraction of the Eildon event is the Australian racing debut of “Problem Child,” a Top Fuel Hydro boat widely regarded as one of the most successful in the history of the sport. Brought to Australia by Scott Faggotter, the boat secured four world championships in the United States (2006, 2011, 2012, and 2013). Its arrival marks the introduction of the Top Fuel Hydro class to the continent; powered by a nitro-methane-burning engine producing 10,000 horsepower, “Problem Child” is expected to shatter existing performance expectations and set a benchmark that will redefine the sport on Australian water.
To ensure the boat performs at its world-champion pedigree, a specialist team of American technicians will travel to Australia to oversee the mechanical servicing and tuning of the vessel. In a major development for the local circuit, this team will be led by world-renowned racer Chris Irick, who will also serve as the primary driver of “Problem Child” for the Eildon event. Irick’s expertise behind the wheel of these 200mph+ machines brings an unprecedented level of international experience to Australian water, marking the first time a pilot will engage a Top Fuel Hydro in a competitive heat on local shores.
The journey to bring “Problem Child” and its American crew to Australia involved a complex logistics process and a close relationship with the American drag racing community. The boat’s legacy was underscored when former owner Eddie Knox gifted Faggotter his personal team jacket, symbolising the passing of the championship-winning vessel to its new home. Faggotter has worked closely with Irick to prepare the boat for the specific conditions of the Lower Eildon Pondage.
“Our goal was to bring a piece of racing history to Australia that could help elevate the entire sport here,” said Scott Faggotter. “Having Chris Irick and the American team come over to service and drive the boat ensures we are giving the Australian public the best possible show of Top Fuel power. For the first time, fans in this country will get to experience the raw intensity of a Top Fuel Hydro on the water.”
Chris Irick emphasised the prestige of the machinery and the historical significance of the debut. “It is an absolute privilege to be involved in bringing a boat of this calibre to Australia and to be the one in the driver’s seat for the first Top Fuel Hydro races in the country’s history,” said Irick. “‘Problem Child’ has an established reputation as the world’s quickest and fastest drag boat, and we are here to perform. The move to a 1000ft track is a game-changer for the sport in Australia, allowing us to safely push these nitro-methane machines to their limit.”
While the spotlight will be on the professional Top Fuel and Blown Alcohol categories, the LDBN event is structured as a community-focussed festival that integrates grassroots racing with local support. The event supports several local organisations, including the CFA, Foundation Murrindindi, and the Eildon Lions Club. Local contractors have also partnered with LDBN to provide essential services, reflecting a regional commitment to making the festival a recurring success for the Murrindindi Shire.
The competition is designed to be inclusive, with a tiered class system allowing over 40 expected competitors—ranging from entry-level boaters and local club racers to the professional teams—to participate. Qualifying rounds will take place on Saturday, 11 April, followed by eliminations and the Top Fuel Hydro finals on Sunday, 12 April.
“We are providing a platform where anyone with a boat and a desire to race can participate in a sanctioned, professional environment,” added Faggotter. “This event is about rebuilding the foundation of Australian drag boat racing and giving every racer a chance to make history and be part of the record books at this new distance.”
Detailed event schedules and competitor registration forms are available at
www.dragboats.com.au
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