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The big powered matchup in the Australian Top Fuel Championship decider at Sydney Dragway lasted less than a full round of eliminations, with Phil Lamattina awarded the Aussie Title for the second time.
In dramatic scenes, Rapisarda Autosport International driver, Allan Dobson was eliminated in the opening round by his team-mate, Damien Harris. Lamattina fronted for his eliminator against Peter Xiberras and smoked the tyres, ending his day, but he’d done enough to secure the Championship.
“Obviously I was quite relieved when Dobbo went down,” said Lamattina. “It was hard to get too excited because I still had a job to do and that didn’t work out too well for me.”
“The Championship win has been a lot of hard work from a lot of people and especially Aaron (Hambridge), the crew, Fuchs sticking by us for 10 years.
“What a way to repay them. And the whole family, especially my wife, she’s the rock.
“It’s my second son’s birthday today and I always said, ‘what do you want for your birthday?’ And he said; ‘a Championship’ so we got that and he’s pretty rapt.”
Birthday celebrations aside, it was a double racing celebration for the Carrot Kings, with Phil’s younger brother, John taking the Australian National gong, defeating Xiberras in the final.
In Top Alcohol, Steve Ham was a shock come from behind Championship winner. Leader and Title favourite, Garry Phillips failed to qualify for the first time in two years.
Ham defeated Steven Reed in a messy final where Reed clipped the wall first and then Ham crossed the centreline, but he’d done enough to win the event and the Championship.
The records tumbled in Pro Stock. In the opening round, Lee Bektash set the quickest pass ever see in Australian Pro Stock with a 6.877. He would go on to take victory.
Aaron Tremayne got through the first round to edge the slim Championship hopes his brother, Tyrone, had – the Bundaberg racer wrapping up his fifth Pro Stock Australian Championship.
Geoff Gradden was a surprise Top Doorslammer winner. He zipped past Peter Kapiris in the first round and advanced to the final. Championship leader John Zappia hit the fence during a solo run in the first round of eliminations, Stu Bishop was another to find the concrete, collecting both walls in his crash.
Gavin Spann took out Top Fuel Motorcycle, whilst Milwaukee Tools racer, Maurice Allen won Pro Stock Motorcycle when Champion-elect, Luke Crowley had an issue at the line in the final, spoiling what promised to be a top matchup between the category’s leading lights.
