The cancellation of Willowbank’s planned Easter super event has left some racers dismayed with some how the event was handled from the start.
Top Fuel driver Phil Lamattina, who was behind the Eliminator Racing Series proposal that was influential in ending DRAG Ltd’s management rights in the sport, said racers were not being consulted, but told what to do.
“They (the track) continue to say they consulted on every aspect, saying they kept the racer informed,” Lamattina said. “They kept the racer informed only to tell them what they are doing (not consulting): that the format is going to be over two days, three rounds and a different points system.
“How the hell can the point system work when they change the championship (format), is that even in the rulebook?”
Lamattina said the event should first have been run as a trialled as an exhibition where racers were invited to try the new concept.
“That’s how you try it; not ram it down the competitors throat,” he said. “We are sick and tired of these guys dictating their terms.
“It’s not fair. I’m all for trialling different stuff, but that’s what it is – a trial. Not a part of the championship.”
The Easter date was another sticking point with competition with other events in Ipswich.
“ You can’t get accommodation in Ipswich on Easter weekend because there are so many other events happening,” Lamattina said. “They are trying to capitalise on a long weekend type set up but that format and style event needs to be built up over time.”
Lamattina said the tone of Willowbank Raceway’s emails to racers, in yes and no terms, was not endearing them to the cause.
“The racers have given them the message. The emails give an ultimatum. The competitor is absolutely sick and tired of having a gun to their head,” he said.
“My suggestion is running the event outside the championship as a trial and then go by the success of the meeting to see if it can be part of it.”
Lamattina explained that he and other racers were now only willing to work with ANDRA.
“That’s all the competitor wants to deal with now. They don’t want to deal with the tracks. ANDRA is the promoter now and that’s the racer,” he said.
“Drag racing is in such a fragile state; we need more venues to race at, we need the calendar to be a calendar year, we need a TV package, we need sponsors to sponsor the series so then if the series is successful so to are the teams. Then we can get the crowd back.
“Changing the format of a race meting is so narrow minded. They don’t look at the big picture, only what is suitable for Willowbank Raceway. They are hypocritical saying they are doing what is good for drag racing.”
Lamattina is putting his full support behind ANDRA’s renewed management to see where they take the sport.
“I believe that under the ANDRA umbrella that Group One drag racing in Australia will be successful for all the stakeholders: competitors, tracks, sponsors and spectators,” he said.
“That’s how it should be, the dog wagging the tail.”
