PremiAir Racing has taken out a very meaningful victory in front of a capacity crowd at the Atlantic Oils Top Fuel Slam at Sydney Dragway this weekend.
Tonight’s A-Final was the first of the 2022/2023 season for the reigning champions, and it was also the first A-Final victory for the outfit since the 2021 Winternationals.
Making the victory extra special is the fact that the win comes at an event where the drag racing community has come together to honour the late Sam Fenech, who tragically lost his life at the last round of the series.
Emotions were running high all day and the opening round of racing was no exception, with Peter Xiberras and Larry Dixon the first pass out following an incredibly moving Sam Fenech tribute.
Xiberras made the most of the pass, turning on the win light with a 4.337 second effort at 198 miles per hour despite throwing a belt.
In the second round, PremiAir Racing ensured their spot in the A-Final with a second victory, this time over a red-lighting Shane Olive. Xiberras laid down a 4.612 second pass at 154mph despite losing a burst panel and another belt.
Come the A-Final, Phil Read Racing and Jim Read Racing turned on an epic show for the capacity crowd at Sydney Dragway, with Xiberras ultimately taking out the victory with a 3.846/300mph pass over Phil Read’s 4.162/218.48mph effort.
“It has been a while!” Xiberras smiled upon getting out of the car and being presented with the big trophy.
“This one was always about Sam. After it happened, I think everyone for the last three weeks has been on tenterhooks and talking themselves in and talking themselves out, I know I have been.
“I wanted to come here for Sam and then work out what I wanted to do, and I am just so proud that I could do it in his honour.
“He is such a loved character, and we won’t forget him. I had his brother and his son come and see me today, and it was such a vote of confidence that they approve of what we do still.
“Thank you very much to everyone, and to my team – I just can’t believe it, this is just fantastic. And to Phil, to race him and his team is an absolute honour and a pleasure.”
The Atlantic Oils Top Fuel Slam marked round four of the 2022/2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship.
The series will now head to the Perth Motorplex across March 4 and 5, where round five will be held as part of the Westernationals event. For event information, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au or www.motorplex.com.au
Between now and then, the team has a busy program ahead – including racing at next weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour (February 3-5) and continuing to work on their Gen3 Supercars ahead of the 2023 Supercars Championship season opener in March. For Bathurst 12 Hour information visit www.bathurst12hour.com.au
For more information on PremiAir Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.twitter.com/premiairracing
