The BLAHST Australian Top Fuel Championship will come thundering into Mildura this week, with the NDRC Twilight Nationals set to host intense racing action from these 11,000hp flame-throwing monster machines at the Sunset Strip across Friday and Saturday (27-28 February).
Leading the charge will be local team Lamattina Top Fuel Racing, with LTFR heading to the event as the reigning Top Fuel Mildura winners and also the track record holder thanks to their efforts the last time Top Fuel visited Mildura back in 2022.
Local hero Phil Lamattina will be looking to defend his winning title, while like in 2022, Sydney’s Shane Olive will drive the second LTFR dragster with hopes to maintain or improve his record-holding status at the venue.
Joining them on track will be up and coming racing star Kyle Putland and drag racing legend Steve ‘The Pom’ Read, with these drivers and their teams jetting in from Western Australia and Queensland respectively to make their debuts at the Sunset Strip.
Joining the BLAHST Australian Top Fuel Championship on track will be the Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship competitors, with more than 130 racers signed up to take on the two-day challenge at the Sunset Strip.
With such a line-up, there is no doubt that the Sunset Strip is set to host a show for the ages, with a packed crowd expected to be on-site to pay witness. Those wanting to attend the event are encouraged to purchase their tickets now at www.nationaldragracing.com.au and beat the gate price rise.
“The support in the community for us as a team and for this event is really just incredible, and I am so thrilled that they get to come out and see us in action here in their own backyard, I think that is pretty special,” Lamattina said.
“To get the win back-to-back would be amazing, especially after all the effort that has gone into bringing this event together.
“We are definitely very hungry for it, and we want to get our season off to a good start. To be honest, we will not be happy unless we win. That is always the goal, we are fiercely competitive.
“We have been working really hard in preparation, including recently heading to Portland’s South Coast Raceway to do some runs there, setting new track records in the process. That sees us with a fair amount of confidence heading into this weekend, but in saying that, Shane is in the car which holds the track record and he will have crew chief Aaron Hambridge tuning the knobs, so that is going to be a pretty tough car to beat. Kyle and Steve are very strong competitors as well. My crew chief Dean Rossiter and I are going to have to be on the top of our game.
“Everyone who comes along to this event, racers or spectators, are going to have a good time, and we cannot wait to show them all how we do things here in Mildura and show some real country hospitality. And to kick things off, Shane’s BLAHST dragster will be on-site at Sydney Tools on Thursday (2.00pm – 4.00pm) so fans can check out the exciting new look, before we have a Top Fuel meet and greet at Nitro Golf Centre that evening (6.30pm – 7.30pm), so that is going to be a great way to get us started for what is set to be an epic weekend!
“As we get ready, I want to say thank you to the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association committee and its president Dave Thornton for all of their hard work and belief, and also to Andy Lopez and the NDRC team.”
While Olive will be taking to the track with the same dragster as in 2022, it will have a brand-new look thanks to sponsorship from BLAHST, which recently signed on as the new naming rights partner for the Australian Top Fuel championship.
“To leave the event keeping, or even improving, the track record would certainly be good, and to win the event would be the ultimate,” Olive said.
“But there are three other cars that are all going to be trying to do the same thing, to snatch the record away, and to take the win, and they are all fierce competitors.
“We will be focusing on putting on a great show, having a good clean weekend, and having some fun, and hopefully things fall the way we want to.
“Of course, to beat the boss (Lamattina) is always good if you can do it too, but it sure won’t be easy! There is certainly already a lot of banter amongst the team, Phil likes to throw a bit around, so I have to give it back,” he grinned, before adding, “when it comes down to it, it is going to be very competitive out there between all four cars, so may the best man win!”
“If 2022 was anything to go by, the Sunset Strip should be packed this weekend, and we cannot wait to see the community come out – hopefully we can put on a great show and thank them for their support of this event and of us,” Olive continued.
“Thank you also to BLAHST for coming on board, and to everyone that has made it possible to put the program together for this car, it has been a big effort by the Lamattina family, and the entire team and I can’t wait to get out there.”
For event information and tickets, go to www.nationaldragracing.com.au
