Lamattina Comeback Set For Jan 4 And 5 At Willowbank

[SpoolMan]

Miracle racer Phil Lamattina has pulled off the 'comeback of the century' to be set to compete in the Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular and round four of the Australian National Drag Racing Association Top Fuel Championship at Willowbank Raceway on January 4/5.

Lamattina miraculously survived one of the most horrendous drag racing accidents in Australian Drag Racing history at Willowbank Raceway three months ago, when his dragster snapped in half and burst into flames travelling at close to 500 kilometres an hour at the QEC Australian Nationals.

With his $300,000 dragster completely destroyed by the accident, Lamattina will now make the ‘comeback of the century’ with his recently acquired ‘state of the art’ McKinney Top Fuel Chassis from the USA – but it almost didn’t happen for the Mildura racer.

Unfortunately while the replacement plan ahead of December’s round three at Western Sydney International Raceway went to plan initially, Lamattina’s new racer did not arrive in Australia until December 21 due to shipping issues, seeing the Mildura competitor miss round three of the championship and be forced to race against time to have the dragster ready for round four at Willowbank Raceway on January 4 and 5.

“It has been a pretty big ask of the boys to bring it all together in time for the Willowbank Raceway event, with the dragster arriving completely bare in a crate just two weeks before the event, and I have to say a big thankyou to Theo from Pavtec for ensuring it all came together” said Lamattina.

“Everything that is needed to make a race car had to be put on, with about five guys working full time they basically built the car from a bare chassis and it has been a great effort to ensure the dragster is going to get to the starting line on January 4 and 5.

“The wiring, computer lines, fuel management system, clutch management system, ignition, clutch, engine, seatbelts, dash, front wing, rear wing, new tyres, new rims, and every other imaginable component, nut and bolt had to be brought together in an extremely short period of time.

“New Years Day will see the finished product loaded onto the trailer for its trip to Queensland, where we hope to be on track and setting up on Thursday afternoon the 3rd of January, ready for qualifying on Friday.

“Qualifying will be our first real run in the car, and will be interesting with all that has happened – I am pretty sure it will be fairly nerve wracking for everyone involved.

“I’m not expecting to rotate the earth or anything with our first time out, but hopefully we can get the car down the track one way or the other and keep working from there. “

Now that he has brought it all together, Lamattina will line up in a field of nine competitors, seeing the drivers duke it out in qualifying with only eight spots available in the eliminations.

Willowbank Raceway’s Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular acts as the Australian Championship Round of the Top Fuel, Top Alcohol and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories, to be held over January 4 and 5.

The New Year Top Fuel extravaganza at Willowbank Raceway delighted spectators during the 2007 running of the event, which saw the quickest side-by-side pass in the history of Australian Top Fuel drag racing at the time set when Phil Read’s 4.66 seconds (317 mph/ 511 km/h) proved just too good for Allan Dobson who turned in a 4.71 second effort (306 mph/ 494 km/h) in the final.

The overall performance over the two days reaffirmed Australian drag racing’s position as the best competition outside the professional ranks of North America and continued to enhance the reputation of Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway.
This January’s event also features a family entertainment package including fireworks, skydivers and free kids rides.

Willowbank Raceway Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular
Friday January 4 and Saturday January 5, 2008
Qualifying Friday from 3 pm
Top Alcohol, Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorocyle Qualifying Rounds 1,2 and 3 at 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm (approx.)
Qualifying and Racing Saturday from 1 pm
Top Alcohol, Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcyle Eliminations 1, 2 and Final at 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm (approx.)

Family Entertainment Daily

Tickets (Available at the gate):
Friday:
Adults - $30.00
Students with ID - $16.00
Saturday:
Adults - $43.00
Students with ID - $30.00

Children 13 and Under are admitted free

Articles are from NMD.

[SpoolMan]

Phil Lamattina today successfully completed his first ever pass since his horror September QEC Australian Nationals crash as he prepares for his competitive comeback at this weekend’s Willowbank Raceway Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular.

After undertaking the 120 foot pass at the same raceway which saw his $300,000 dragster snap in half and burst into flames at close to 500 km/h just three months ago, Lamattina was feeling confident ahead of Friday and Saturday’s racing action.

“It felt great to be back in the car for a run after all the effort to get the car ready for this weekend,” said Lamattina.

“The dragster felt great and I am now really looking forward to putting it down the quarter mile here at Willowbank Raceway for tomorrow’s qualifying, and we will just see how we go from there.”

With his dragster completely destroyed by the accident, Lamattina was forced to make the 'comeback of the century' when his McKinney Top Fuel Chassis from the USA had its arrival delayed to December 21 – just two weeks ago, with the team working furiously to build up the bare chassis to have it ready for today’s first run.

Lamattina was also joined on-track by other members of the Top Fuel field including Darren Morgan, Amanda Shepherd, Aaron Lynch, Steve Read, Phil Read and Roy Smith, who were setting up for the event which hosts the Australian Championship Rounds for not only the Top Fuel but also the Top Alcohol and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories.

The Top Alcohol bracket combines supercharged alcohol-fuelled vehicles from the dragster, funny car and altered classes, with eight competitors slated to duke it out for Willowbank honours for the fifth round of their Australian championship currently led by Brett Stevens in his Funny Car by 70 points over Aaron Lynch in second.

Ben Bray, John Cannuli, Wayne Jones, Gary Phillips, Wayne Newby, Steve Reed, Stevens and Lynch are all set to compete in the popular Group One class, with Brisbane’s Lynch pulling double duty by entering in both the Top Fuel and Top Alcohol line-ups.

The Pro Stock Motorcycles are the highest development of naturally aspirated, stock-appearing motorcycles and will see seven riders compete for what will be their fourth round of the Australian championship.

Alex Buxton, Peter Cochrane, Michael Gilbertson, Lachlan Ireland, Eddie Kepper, Jason Lee and Callum Godeassi will all line-up this weekend, with Victoria’s Godeassi currently leading the points standings fifteen points ahead of Queensland’s Cochrane.

“Having so many great names lining up for the Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular at Willowbank Raceway from all the categories including Top Alcohol and the Pro Stock Motorcycles guarantees fast action for the fans come this Friday and Saturday,” said Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes.

The New Year Top Fuel extravaganza at Willowbank Raceway delighted spectators during the 2007 running of the event, which saw the quickest side-by-side pass in the history of Australian Top Fuel drag racing at the time set when Phil Read’s 4.66 seconds (317 mph/ 511 km/h) proved just too good for Allan Dobson who turned in a 4.71 second effort (306 mph/ 494 km/h) in the final.

The overall performance over the two days reaffirmed Australian drag racing’s position as the best competition outside the professional ranks of North America and continued to enhance the reputation of Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway. This weekend's event also features a family entertainment package including fireworks, skydivers and free kids rides.

Current ANDRA Australian Championship Points
Top Fuel – Post Round Three
1 Phil Read 290 points
2 Allan Dobson 180
3 Martin Stamatis 140
3 Amanda Shepherd 140
3 Darren Morgan 140
6 Terry Sainty 100
6 Steve Read 100
8 Mike Dunn 80
8 Mark Mariani 80
8 Phil Lamattina 80
11 Cory McClenathan 60

Top Alcohol – Post Round Four
1 Brett Stevens 373 points
2 Aaron Lynch 303
3 Ben Bray 260
4 Wayne Newby 230
5 Steve Reed 220
6 Gary Phillips 180
7 John Cannuli 140
7 Aaron Hambridge 140
9 Debbie Reed 130
10 Damien Harris 100
11 Mark Sheehan 80
12 Dean Oakey 40
12 Aaron Deery 40
14 Dean McLennan 20

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Post Round Three
1 Callam Godeassi 270 points
2 Pete Cochrane 255
3 Jason Lee 220
3 Graeme Weston 220
5 Maurice Allen 190
6 Michael Gilbertson 140

[BENXR6T]

good to see him back - great bloke and great racer

[Tatt 2]

Saturday turned out to be a great day despite Friday being washed out.
They managed to cram everything in, even some serious oil downs, and finished just before midnight.
There were some awesome side by sides. Best (IMO) was Lamattina 4.865 and Phil Read 4.845.
The final was Phil Read 5.004 winning over Aaron Lynch 5.204.

[SpoolMan]

Willowbank Raceway Night Fire Top Fuel Spectacular
ANDRA CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – Group One
Top Fuel – Post Round Four
1 Phil Read 395 points
2 Alan Dobson 220
3 Amanda Shepherd 180
3 Darren Morgan 180
5 Steve Read 160
6 Phil Lamattina 145
7 Martin Stamatis 140
8 Terry Sainty 100
9 Mike Dunn 80
9 Mark Mariani 80
11 Cory McClenathan 60

Top Alcohol – Post Round Five
1 Brett Stevens 443 points
2 Aaron Lynch 363
3 Wayne Newby 330
4 Ben Bray 300
5 Steve Reed 260
5 Gary Phillips 260
7 John Cannuli 180
8 Aaron Hambridge 140
9 Debbie Reed 130
10 Damien Harris 100
11 Mark Sheehan 80
12 Dean Oakey 40
12 Aaron Deery 40
12 Dean McLennan 40
12 Wayne Jones 40

Pro Stock Motorcycle – Post Round Four
1 Peter Cochrane 365 points
2 Callam Godeassi 310
3 Jason Lee 300
4 Graeme Weston 220
5 Maurice Allen 190
6 Michael Gilbertson 180
7 Alex Burton 60
7 Eddie Kepper 60
9 Lachlan Ireland 40

RESULTS – Group One
Redcliffe Dyno and Performance Top Fuel
Final
Phil Read 5.00seconds/256.70mph (410.72km/h) def. Aaron Lynch 5.20seconds/204.55mph (327.28km/h)

Semi-Final
*Phil Read 4.84seconds/277.60mph (444.16km/h) def. Phil Lamattina . 4.86seconds/309.06mph (494.49km/h)
*Aaron Lynch 5.01seconds/275.90mph (441.41km/h) def. Steve Read – did not run due to mechanical

Quarter-Final
*Steve Read 4.93seconds/262.96mph (420.73km/h def. Alan Dobson 6.72seconds/133.45mph (213.52km/h)
*Phil Read 6.60seconds/136.96mph (219.14km/h) def. Amanda Shepherd 5.96seconds/224.22mph (358.75km/h) – Amanda Shepherd disqualified for jumping the start.
*Aaron Lynch 4.91seconds/294.70mph (471.52km/h) def. Darren Morgan 4.94seconds/239.11mph (382.57km/h)
*Phil Lamattina 5.10seconds/227.39mph (363.82km/h) def. Roy Smith 5.61seconds/230.06mph (368.09km/h)

Qualifying
1 Phil Lamattina 5.00sec/294.70mph (471.52km/h)
2 Steve Read 5.048sec/275.23mph (440.37km/h)
3 Aaron Lynch 5.475sec/188.60mph (301.76km/h)
4 Phil Read 5.614sec/174.22mph (278.75km/h)
5 Amanda Shepherd 5.714sec/163.10mph (260.96km/h)
6 Darren Morgan 8.098sec/81.71mph (130.74km/h)
7 Alan Dobson 10.937sec/56.58mph (90.53km/h)
8 Roy Smith 10.999/no time recorded

Willowbank Raceway Top Alcohol
Final
Wayne Newby 6.05seconds/197.63mph (316.21km/h) def. Gary Phillips 6.47seconds/179.14mph (286.62km/h)

Semi-Final
*Wayne Newby 5.88seconds/239.49mph (383.18km/h) def. Brett Stevens 5.95seconds/249.72mph (399.55km/h)
*Gary Phillips 5.71seconds/251.25mph (402km/h) def. Aaron Lynch 5.79seconds/234.13mph (374.608km/h)

Quarter-Final
*Gary Phillips 5.76seconds/253.81 mph (406.09kph) def. Jones 6.36seconds/226.36mph (362.17km/h)
*Aaron Lynch 5.72seconds/246.58mph (394.53km/h) def. John Cannuli 6.94seconds/140.01mph (224.01km/h)
*Brett Stevens 5.58seconds/253.81mph (406.09km/h) def. Steve Reed 6.00seconds/238.60mph (381.76km/h)
*Wayne Newby 7.67seconds/122.68mph (196.29km/h) def. Ben Bray – 6.13seconds/240.51mph (384.81km/h) – Ben Bray disqualified for jumping the start.

Qualifying
1 Gary Phillips 5.720sec/232.80mph (372.48km/h)
2 Brett Stevens 5.761sec/244.17mph (390.67km/h)
3 Ben Bray 5.784sec/248.48mph (397.57km/h)
4 Aaron Lynch 5.876sec/218.55mph (349.68km/h)
5 John Canulli 6.078sec/236.47mph (378.35km/h)
6 Wayne Newby 6.195sec/no speed recorded
7 Steve Reed 9.073sec/113.92mph (182.27km/h)
8 Wayne Jones 20.761sec/45.99mph (73.58km/h)

Morgan and Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle
Final
Peter Cochrane 7.37seconds/176.13mph (281.80km/h) def. Jason Lee 7.51seconds/165.81mph (265.29km/h)

Semi-Final
*Peter Cochrane 7.38seconds/176.96mph (283.13km.h) def. Alex Buxton 7.69seconds/168.04mph (268.86km/h)
*Jason Lee 7.51seconds/176.92mph (283.07km/h) def. Eddie Kepper 8.09seconds/164.35mph (262.96km/h)

Quarter-Final
*Peter Cochrane 7.34seconds/182.11mph (291.37km/h) def. BYE
*Alex Buxton 7.63seconds/170.00mph (272km/h) def. Lachlan Ireland – did not leave the start.
*Eddie Kepper 7.93seconds/166.98mph (267.16km/h) def. Callam Godeassi - did not leave the start.
*Jason Lee 7.53seconds/169.11mph (270.57km/h) def. Michael Gilbertson 9.57seconds/100.63mph (161.08km/h)

Qualifying
1 Peter Cochrane 7.405sec/181.23mph (289.97km/h)
2 Callam Godeassi 7.496sec/175.71mph (281.14km/h)
3 Jason Lee 7.562sec/180.80mph (289.28km/h)
4 Alex Buxton 7.703sec/170.33mph (272.53km/h)
5 Lachlan Ireland 7.991sec/163.22mph (261.15km/h)
6 Michael Gilbertson 9.645sec/103.12mph (164.99km/h)
7 Eddie Kepper 18.765sec/38.22mph (61.15km/h)