After eleven months out of the saddle Phil Read made a welcome return to Top Fuel competition in his Valvoline/Snap On sponsored dragster. The former Australian Champ showed that he still has it when qualified second with a 4.919/274.83 in the six car field, though he had the odd fire along the way. In the first round Read was up against the Fuchs Oils car of Phil Lamattina and after a very equal leave the Valvoline car struck the tyres at about 300 feet out. Despite back peddling, his car had lost momentum and he had to watch his rival click the win light in the distance.

The gorgeous silver and blue Fuchs Oil/Elders Insurance sponsored Top Fuel dragster of Phil Lamattina had a mixed weekend at the nitro Champs. The team had changed clutch plates in the lead up to the event and could only qualify fifth with a 6.235. “It wasn’t the best qualifying performance but we are pretty happy with what we have learned”, Lamattina admitted. Eliminations started a tad better in the first round with the Victorian carrot farmer turning back long time rival Phil Read with a 4.877-second pass to Read’s 5.435. “After round one, we put in a similar tune-up for round two but we just got outrun by Damien Harris, as simple as that” – a better reacting 4.824/284.99 being turned back by Harris’ 4.730. “It’s hard to know what call to make and we probably could have been more aggressive to be honest, but it is better to make sure you get down the track, so that’s what we did,” Lamattina added.

Originally the Nitro Champs was only going to feature fuel funny cars but later on the fuel dragsters were added. Three fuel funny cars were on the cards with Christine Steffens being the best of the bunch. As can be seen the crocodile toothed body paint gave the car an evil look, add the flames and it was a great looking package. The little lady was able to push the car into the 5.2s and was beside Anthony Begley when his car caught fire – luckily she initially drove towards the wall and wisely shut off keeping out of harm’s way.