In one of the closest season finishes for Top Fuel in 2010, Martin Stamatis has won the Australian Top Fuel Championship, and Phil Read has finished runner-up at this year’s season ending Winternationals held at Willowbank Raceway June 10-13.
It was a three-way tussle leading into the final round of the ANDRA Pro Series Championship where just 25 points separated Stamatis, Read and Phil Lamattina.
With 4 qualifying passes completed and Stamatis clocking times of 4.619 @ 315.93 and 4.657 @ 310.34 the most consistent running car all weekend looked confident going into first round. Stamatis ran 4.603 @ 316.01mph taking the win from Sainty, Read v Shepherd loosing the race but Shepherd crossed the centre line and handed the round to Read.
Stamatis v Mariani in semi finals, Stamatis winner with a 4.834 @ 235.72mph and Read v Lamattina winning with a 4.977 @ 272.28.
This left the finals between the team mates Stamatis v Read.
Just minutes before taking Reads Top Fuel dragster to the starting line the car developed an issue in the rear end, with time ticking the hard working team changed the entire rear end assembly, and with minutes to spare raced to the line.
The Winternationals and the championship were over early for Read as more problems occurred on the race car handing the win to Stamatis who went 4.72 at 287 mph (461 kmh) taking the 2010 ANDRA Australian Top Fuel championship for the first time in his racing career.
Martin Stamatis, Grand Slam winner, Top qualifier of the event setting low ET and Top Speed, winner of the Winternationals, winner of the 2010 Australian Top Fuel Championship and winner of the Shannons Top Fuel Shootout.
Jim Read Racing would like to acknowledge everyone for their continued support throughout the 2009/2010 ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel season, including Auto one, Valvoline, Wynn’s, MTU Detroit Diesel, McDonalds, Goodson, Hurlcon, Crane Cams, Snap on and Billview.
To all the JRR team supporters and fans and especially the hard working crews and families on both race cars, a fantastic finish to the racing season.
