PremiAir Racing was in action on both the East and West Coasts of Australia this weekend, with team principal and Top Fuel driver Peter Xiberras competing in the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship in Perth while Garry Jacobson, Chris Pither and the Subway Racing and Coca-Cola Racing crews took on the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400.
When all was said and done, there was success for the team on both sides of the country, with Xiberras bringing home a runner-up trophy and vital points in his pursuit of defending his Australian Top Fuel Championship, while Jacobson and the Subway Racing crew unlocked a number of personal best results. Pither and the Coca Cola Racing crew also made vital steps forward across the weekend, despite not being in the graces of lady luck at various junctures across the four days in Melbourne.
In Perth, Xiberras and the PremiAir Hire Top Fuel Dragster went all the way to the final in front of a packed crowd, with the final race coming down to just 0.4 of a foot on the startline with the victory going to local racer, Damien Harris. Xiberras’ 0.011 reaction time and 3.835 just barely failed to overhaul Harris’ 0.040-reacted 3.803.
“We may not have taken out the event victory, but we were still grinning ear to ear after that final race – that would have to be one of the closest Top Fuel races seen in Perth for many years and it was fantastic to be a part of it,” Xiberras said.
“It was a huge two days in Perth, and we were pleased to be second quickest in qualifying and then go on to win two races to claim our spot in the A-Final against Damian Harris.
“While of course we always want to win, we had a fantastic time here in Perth and are very happy with our results and the fact that we were able to bank some valuable title points in our title defence.
“It was a new experience for me also to be keeping an eye on the Supercars side of the team from afar, but I am very proud of the job everyone did in Melbourne – the results show that we are already making great strides forward even though it is early in our development, and we won’t be stopping anytime soon!
