Lamattina Top Fuel Racing has celebrated an amazing national 2017/2018 Top Fuel season in the best possible way – a championship win!
Arguably the best driver of the season, Kelly Bettes secured the very first Top Fuel Championship for a female driver in Australia.
Kelly was elated to record a first for the sport and deliver a championship in her rookie season with the team.
“I am so grateful to the Lamattina family for giving me this opportunity but I always wanted to do more than drive the car – I wanted to win for them and for me!”
“To be able to reward the crew and the team plus our team sponsors such as Fuchs, is just the most amazing feeling.
“Phil (Lamattina, team boss) was nervous over the weekend but I told him to trust in our entire team, we have been working so well all year and I knew that it would continue at this event.
“Our head tuner, Aaron Hambridge, had the car set to run very low 3.80s and we did that and made the rounds that we needed to secure the title. I knew we had a good package and I had to just do my job as a driver.
“We really went after it for the final run against Damien Harris and we went a little too aggressive but that’s how it goes. We wanted to see what we could learn for next season.”
The LTFR team had an ongoing battle with the nitro front runners, RAI Autosport, who fielded an impressive three car line-up throughout the season.
Phil Lamattina added, “To race against the Rapisarda guys so competitively this year made it even better, we know that we have to be on our game every time we hit the track.
“They have some great cars and great drivers and that’s what has raised the level not just for us, but for the entire Top Fuel field.
“Some people thought we took a chance when we appointed Kelly to the driver’s seat – I always thought we took a chance if we let someone else get her – I’m glad that on this occasion I was right!”
The team now prepares to head to Darwin’s Hidden Valley for a non-championship round.
Kelly added, “Now we have the championship we have some other goals in mind – bring on the quarter mile in Darwin!”
Nitro Up North – 13-14 July 2018
Hidden Valley Dragway
Featuring Top Fuel Motorcycle, Top Doorslammer & Top Fuel Exhibition
