The Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship will headline an action-packed 48th annual Electrical Training Group Goldenstates event across November 11 and 12.
A seven-strong field of 12,000+hp nitro-powered Top Fuel Dragsters will be the Australian Drag Racing Championship (ADRC Top Doorslammer and ADRC Top Fuel Motorcycle), as well as racing for the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and WA Drag Racing Championships.
Amongst the field will be all the superstars of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, including two-time and reigning champion Peter Xiberras, former champions Phil Lamattina, Phil Read, Damien Harris and Wayne Newby, as well as Shane Olive who joined the series in 2021 and secured his first Top Fuel win before his debut season was completed.
Joining the ranks for the first time this weekend will be local racer Kyle Putland, who after a lengthy development process will for the first time compete in the national Top Fuel championship at one of the biggest drag racing events on the WA calendar.
The last time Top Fuel racers entertained at the Perth Motorplex was as part of the ANDRA Grand Finals event in April, with Harris taking the victory over Xiberras in an action-packed finale. The pairing also faced off more recently at Nitro Up North in June at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway, with Harris taking the event victory while Xiberras claimed the title.
The championship then headed to Alice Springs, the finals for which will be held in Perth after that event was cut short prematurely, with Harris and Phil Read to face off in the A-Final while Xiberras and Wayne Newby will contest the B-Final and team-mates Phil Lamattina and Shane Olive will go to the C-Final.
“As a WA local, it is fantastic to have the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship heading here to the Perth Motorplex,” Harris said.
“We had a fantastic time the last time the series was here, taking out the victory over Peter in a brilliant race. And we have had some great battles since.
“With seven Top Fuel dragsters lining up here in Perth, it is going to be a mammoth event – especially as it is essentially a double points round with the final for the Alice Springs event also to be run during the second qualifier on Friday night.
“We will certainly be doing all we can to make sure that we can bring home not one, but two event winner trophies this weekend!”
2021/2022 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship winner, Peter Xiberras, took out that title without winning a single event that season – a trend he is hoping to change in Perth this weekend.
“Consistency won us our second consecutive Top Fuel championship, but as much as we love consistency, we also love race wins and I am very hopeful that in Perth this coming weekend we can take out the big event trophy,” Xiberras said.
“For us, the B-Final win from Alice Springs will also be up for grabs in the second qualifier on Friday, so we will have to be on our game from the minute that we roll out of the trailer – but that is the case everywhere we go.
“I absolutely love racing in Perth, the facilities are fantastic, and the fans are just next level in their support of what we do, so the entire team is amped to head over to WA and put on a fantastic show.”
For series newcomer Kyle Putland and the Worx Equipment Top Fuel Dragster, the Goldenstates will mark the culmination of a long journey to the pinnacle of Australian drag racing.
“All of the other teams have been really good with sharing knowledge and helping to source parts, and we’re really keen to test ourselves against them on our home track,” Putland said.
“We just have to put it all together. We know we’re not going to be the fastest car there, but we hope to be the most consistent and put on a show for the crowd. And with seven Top Fuellers in one place, I reckon the buzz in the crowd will be awesome. I can’t wait!”
The 48th annual EGT Goldenstates will be held at the Perth Motorplex across November 11 and 12. For event information and tickets, go to www.motorplex.com.au
