Lamattina Top Fuel Racing produced a commanding performance at the Riverbend Nationals at The Bend Motorsport Park, overcoming a rain-affected start to the weekend to secure a clean sweep and take home the coveted “Christmas Tree” trophy.
Supported by long-standing partners FUCHS Lubricants Australia, R&J Batteries and Muirs, LTFR remained composed despite day one of the event being lost entirely to rain.
With no racing possible on the opening day, the team used the time to prepare, regroup and ensure both the car and crew were ready to make the most of any opportunity on race day.
When conditions finally allowed racing to resume, LTFR delivered under pressure, putting together a consistent string of results across every round.
Team owner and driver Phil Lamattina said the result was a reflection of the effort and commitment behind the scenes.
“They weren’t pretty runs by any means, but a win’s a win,” Lamattina said. “The boys have been working incredibly hard, and this result is a credit to them. Everyone’s putting in the hours and it’s great to see it pay off.”
Lamattina Top Fuel Racing opened race day with a hard-fought win in round one before backing it up again in round two to secure a place in the A-Final.
With momentum building and the FUCHS LTFR Top Fuel Dragster continuing to perform consistently, Lamattina entered the A-Final determined to capitalise.
A composed final pass sealed the victory, completing a clean sweep of the event and earning LTFR the prestigious “Christmas Tree” trophy.
The weekend was made even more special with both father and son taking victories. While Phil stood on the top step in Top Fuel, Luca Lamattina also delivered an outstanding performance in Junior Dragster.
In a highly competitive Junior Dragster field, Luca proved to be the standout performer. Consecutive qualifying wins across both days underlined his speed and consistency, before converting that pace into an event win of his own.
For the Lamattina family and the entire LTFR team, it was a memorable weekend that showcased both the current strength of the operation and the next generation coming through.
The victory marks another major result for the team and further highlights the strength of the Lamattina Top Fuel Racing operation. The reliability and performance shown throughout the event also reflected the contribution of FUCHS Lubricants Australia, whose products continue to support the team’s engine program under the most demanding conditions.
To turn a weather-disrupted weekend into a complete event sweep was a significant achievement and a strong statement of intent as the season progresses.
Phil concluded, “Just a huge thanks to the crew, partners, supporters and especially the fans who braved the conditions across the weekend.”
With confidence and momentum building, the team now turns its attention to the next round, the Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway from 1–3 May 2026.
