Multiple-time Top Fuel Motorcycle champion Chris Matheson is hopeful he will be able to not only “pinch all the jewellery” at this weekend’s Electrical Training Group Drag Racing Grand Final at the Perth Motorplex, but also set a new record in the process.
The Brisbane-based property developer has made no secret of the fact that he is pursuing Australia’s first five-second pass on a Top Fuel Motorcycle, a goal only outweighed by his desire to claim the inaugural Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship title for the nitro-powered two-wheel bracket.
“We haven’t been able to travel over to Perth for some years now because of the restrictions, so it is a bit of a double bonus for us – firstly, it is a favourite track of mine, and secondly, it marks the third round of the Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship and the final round of the Australian Drag Racing Championship, so we are pretty excited to be heading back over to Perth,” Matheson said.
“We are really keen to get a good result in Perth, it is critical that we do so we can secure points for the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship chase. An event win would be fantastic as we pursue that goal, so hopefully we can pinch the jewellery and run back to Queensland!” he grinned.
“It will be a really great event. The track is brilliant, the pits and amenities are second to none, the fans really come out, and the competition is always great – it is probably the toughest place to race Top Fuel bikes, as there is a bunch of tough competitors turning out to try and beat us whenever we travel over there.”
The travel is no small thing for the Brisbane-based rider and his crew either, with Matheson himself driving the transporter across the Nullarbor.
“I will be making the 58-hour trip over to the event and then driving back another 58 hours to get home. I tell you, those 58 hours in the truck gives you plenty of time to think about how to win, and if you are successful, the 58 hours home enjoying that win makes for a pleasant trip! If you don’t win though it makes for a very long trip home, and I have done both!”
While championship points and an event win are front and centre for Matheson, the pursuit of a track record and the five-second pass also ranks right up there.
“The Perth Motorplex is definitely a good track to try for the five second pass. We have run over there in the past and been pretty successful, we have won there a few times, but it is also the only track we have raced on where we don’t have the track record,” Matheson explained.
“We are definitely keen to go there and try our luck and see if we can better the track record there, and maybe even break through the five-second barrier.
“It is a really good track with a nice and smooth surface and good amenities, and the conditions should be conducive to running quick.
“They also always get strong crowds and a big number of entries – there is no doubt we will have our work cut out for us to get a good result over there, but we are certainly up for the challenge!” he concluded, while thanking Web Cam Racing Cams, Rocket Industries, Performance Wholesale Australia, Larry ‘Spiderman’ McBride, Kitten Car Care Products, CRC, Boninfante Friction Inc, Aeroflow Performance Products, CycleDrag.com, New-Gen Business Park and CLM Group Consulting for their support.
The Electrical Training Group Drag Racing Grand Final will be held at the Perth Motorplex this Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9.
The event will feature Top Fuel for the first time since March 2020 and will also host intense finals competition for national-level and state championships in Top Doorslammer and Top Fuel Motorcycle, as well as more than 150 sportsman racers competing in the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and WA Drag Racing Championships.
For event information or to buy tickets, go to www.motorplex.com.au
