The Top Fuel semi-final between Phil Lamattina (near lane) and Damien Harris saw Lamattina grab a slight lead off the line but as can be seen here he is aimed at the wall. He managed to straighten up the car and at the other end it was a very close finish. This saw Harris run a 4.730/291.57 to turn back a second best 4.824/284.99 from the silver car.

The K Trans backed Hadman chassised car of Darren Morgan was truly the star of Top Fuel over the weekend. This commenced with a 4.770 to top qualify and lead second qualifier, Phil Read by nearly two tenths. In the first round he used a 4.826 313.29 to turn back a flaming Terry Sainty and then advanced to the final with a solo 4.714/318.02 to face Damien Harris. There a 4.730/291.57 was too good for a 4.824/284.99 from Harris. “The car has been perfect, we haven’t put a drop of oil on the race track, a blower belt is the only part I know of that we have hurt,” stated Morgan after the race. “Benny’s (crew chief Ben Patterson) been doing a marvellous job, I would hate to race against him. I’m very fussy about how things are done and so is Benny and that’s why it works. We’re looking forward to the ANDRA Winternationals now where the track and conditions are going to be bad ass.”

Journeyman racer Damien Harris from Perth has raced fuel funny cars and top fuel dragsters over the past few years under sponsorship from Best Tractor Parts. For the Nitro Champs the team were bought under the wing of the Rapisarda Motorsport International team. This proved to be a good partnership that saw the team qualify third with a 5.051/193.60 after an engine fire  at 1000 foot. First round saw the Westralian turn back American Tommy Johnson Junior with a firey 4.988/233.84 and then another grenading 4.730/291.57 took out Phil Lamattina’s close 4.824 to put him in the final. There he left second by a slight margin however his 4.829/272.06 couldn’t catch opponent Darren Morgan who recorded a 4.730/291.57 for the win.