It was therefore no surprise to see the two top qualifiers in the final that was a repeat of their Tin Top final round appearance at the same track a couple of months earlier. The result was the same as Zappia led all the way with a .477 to .752 reaction time being coupled to a 5.909 to 5.943 track time. “What a season” said a reflective Zap this past week, I was thrilled with the win, and meant I had achieved so many goals I had set for the meeting, and the season.” he admitted. “Everything came together this season after years of preparation and testing, and it’s a credit to all of us in the team”, he went on to say.

Top Fuel saw only a seven car field with the first four drivers all bunched up together. This saw Darren Morgan top qualify in the Rocket Industries fueller with a 4.633 to lead Phil Lamattina on a 4.639 with Martin Stamatis close on a 4.693 while Allan Dobson was fourth on a 4.782. By merely qualifying Lamattina had annexed the Australian Top Fuel title and it was no surprise to see the top four go through to the semis. There Morgan spun the tyres to allow Allan Dobson’s 4.83 through while Lamattina took care of  Stamatis in a close 4.67 to 4.77 tussle.

Allan Dobson (near lane) took a slight lead off the line but had a giant explosion at half track allowing Phil Lamattina through for the win in the Top Fuel Final.

The final was held under lights and following their burnouts both came into stage. Off the line it was pretty even with Dobson grabbing a hundredth but at half track his Uplift Cranes fueller lit up the night sky with a massive explosion – this left Lamattina to take a 4.7/320.28 to 6.91 win. After the event Lamattina recalled his finest moment. “With the consistency of great passes all weekend the Fuchs Top Fuel Dragster was able to hold off  Dobbo's machine with another 4.70 at 320mph pass. The jubilation of our season’s performance seemed to flow on from this moment”, he proudly recalled

Pro Stock Bike saw a small field with Suzuki riders Phil Howard qualifying with a slight lead over second placed Michael Gilbertson – 7.344 to 7.414. “This is the last time I will be riding this bike (for Trevor Birrell) as I am finishing off my own,  but I managed to run my best ever 60 foot time in qualifying”, he revealed. Gilbertson fell to third qualifier, Kawsaki rider Peter Cochrane, to face Howard in the final. Despite losing a couple of hundredths off the line, Howard ran low ET and top speed of the meet with a 7.290/180.65 to Cochrane’s second best 7.53.

I could write as much again about all the other incredible performances over the weekend but I'm sure the editor would have my hide. In closing, Super Stock saw competitors having to run at least a .399 under the index just to qualify and the Supercharged Outlaws bracket was full of incredible performances. Needless to say, it was a meeting to remember.