The Lamattina brothers have recorded the best two times in Top Fuel at the Australian Nationals in Sydney, with Phil Lamattina edging younger brother John in the final qualifying session.
John, in just his second competitive outing in the Top Fuel class, stunned the Top Fuel field with his quickest time of 4.719 early in qualifying. Then Phil came out in his identical FUCHS/Elders dragster in the final session of the night to record a 4.715 second pass.
The Championship was decided in the first round of qualifications when Darren Morgan presented for a run, the Mildura racer wrapping up his third consecutive Australian Championship.
Phil Read stepped into the Billview car when Martin Stamatis withdrew after qualifying one due to illness.
The other major class where there is a lot of Championship interest this weekend is Top Doorslammer. John Zappia has done everything to try and thwart the Peter Kapiris challenge to his sixth consecutive Australian Championship by setting the quickest time in qualifying.
Zappia took the Striker Crushing Monaro down the Sydney quarter mile in 5.831 seconds, just ahead of his chief rival.
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Steve Read set the pace in Top Alcohol, whilst the 18 car Pro Stock field was bested by Lee Bektash in the MOPAR entry.
Making a return to racing this weekend after his 270kph crash at the Nitro Champs in May, Chris Matheson was quickest in Top Bike with a 6.9 second pass, meantime Chris Porter wrapped up the Championship by out-qualifying Graeme Morrell.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Luke Crowley ensured he won his first Australian Championship through presenting for qualifying.
Eliminations take place today at Sydney Dragway.
