The Burson Top Fuel Championship round at Mildura’s Sunset Strip was one for the locals – both the capacity crowd that filled the venue, as well as the giant smile of round winner and local gun, Phil Lamattina.
Lamattina’s FUCHS Lubricants Top Fuel dragster scorched to victory on the eighth mile, Phil’s first since being hospitalized nearly 8 years ago following a significant accident.
“I think I forgot how good it feels to win!” laughed the Wemen-based driver.
“Our team had success with Kelly (Bettes) when I was not driving but after the personal setbacks and to get through the COVID related delays and to get on the top step of the podium feels amazing.
“Massive thanks to the crew, this is as much for them as it is for me, and FUCHS Lubricants have been there through everything, a huge thanks!”
Lamattina and long-time Crew Chief, Aaron Hambridge worked hard to extract the best from the car and the racetrack with the condition. The team used all of their experience on the way to making it to a final round showdown with Rapisarda Auto Sport’s, Wayne Newby.
An amazing final round race came down to mere centimeters at the finish line with Lamattina’s 3.19-second pass beating out Wayne Newby’s 3.20-second run.
Teammate Shane Olive also had success in Mildura with impressive performances aboard the Burson Top Fuel dragster. Olive piloted the ‘Burson Bullet’ to take his first-round win and set a new track record of 3.17-seconds at more than 420kph!
Lamattina concluded, “It was great seeing Shane and his crew getting results as well, as a team we are really on the right track!”
“And speaking of the track, I can’t thank Top Fuel Australia enough for the hard work they put into the Mildura round, the track and organisation was amazing. Out of all the rounds that I’d want to win, this one was it. I got to win the round in my hometown with my whole family watching from the hill!”
The Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship will now head to Perth Motorplex on April 8 and 9 for Round 3 of the Championship.
For all event information please visit motorplex.com.au
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