Larry Dixon is back, and this time around, he’s going international.
Rapisarda AutoSport International, an Australian-based team that has fielded Top Fuel cars in Australia and in North America, announced today the signing of three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion driver Larry Dixon and crew chief Lee Beard, himself a three-time champion tuner, to its organization for 2013. Dixon and Beard, two of the most prolific figures in drag racing over the last quarter century, will campaign a car under the Rapisarda umbrella in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the ANDRA Australia Drag Racing Series.
Led by Australia native and crane mogul Santo Rapisarda and his two sons, Santo Jr. and Santino, the Rapisarda Autosport team will field a dragster piloted by Dixon for a limited 2013 schedule in both nations. Santo Jr. and Santino will serve as co-crew chiefs for the Rapisarda entry.
“We are extremely pleased to have the talents of Larry Dixon and Lee Beard joining Rapisarda Autosport International for 2013,” said Santo Rapisarda, team owner. “Both Larry and Lee have some of the greatest resumes in NHRA drag racing history. Although they have never teamed up together before, we believe their leadership and competitiveness will lead us to victory lane this year. I’m extremely excited to have this pair as part of our organization.”
Dixon, who is a second-generation Top Fuel racer that followed in the footsteps of his father Larry Sr., is the second-winngest driver in the history of the sport’s quickest and fastest category with 62 NHRA national events victories. His three series titles came in 2002, 2003 (with Don Prudhomme) and in 2010 (driving for Al-Anabi Racing).
“This opportunity to join the Rapisarda team and work with Lee for the first time is very exciting for me,” said Dixon, the California native now residing in Avon, Ind. “Last year, I worked with ESPN and the NHRA announcing team as an analyst at the national events, and it gave me a great insight of the sport from outside the pit area. I think, like Lee, I can bring the Rapisarda organization solid background and race experience that can give the team strong performances. I want to thank Santo and his family for this opportunity.”
Beard, an icon in the sport as a tuner, has scored 54 national event wins in Top Fuel and Funny Car, and has led drivers to 65 No .1 qualifying positions over his long career. In addition to turning the wrenches on the dragster, Beard will also serve as the team manager for the Rapisarda AutoSport entry.
“I see a lot of potential with the Rapisarda Autosport International team,” said Beard. “I’m anxious to work with Larry after all of our years as competitors. He is one of the greatest Top Fuel drivers ever. My job as director of operations is to oversee the team and teach my skills and craft to Santo’s two sons, Santo Jr. and Santino. I see them as the future of our sport.