REIGNING CHAMP PETER XIBERRAS HAS WORK CUT OUT AT THE FIRST ROUND OF THE AUSTRALIAN TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP.
The opening round of the 2022 Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel championship at Sydney Dragway, January 21-22, will be a wide-open affair. Each of the six entrants will bring a different narrative to the event.
Current Australian titleholder Peter Xiberras has not set foot on a racetrack since winning the championship in June 2021. Xiberras lives in NSW, with his car and team based in Queensland.
“We might be the current champions,” said Xiberras, “but I feel like we are heading into the opening round as underdogs. Everyone else has been out there testing. In contrast, we haven't been able to do any due to the weather and COVID-19 restrictions hampering our plans. We will be looking to make the most of the two scheduled test passes on Friday before the all-run format gets underway on Saturday.”
Rapisarda Autosport International will also face a unique challenge as they return to the track for the first time since January 2020.
In their favor, the team has two of the savviest operators in the field. Three-time World Champion Larry Dixon and Wayne Newby, the most successful Australian racer over the past decade.
“Larry is the ultimate professional and has worked with most of the crew during previous visits to Australia,” according to team principal Santo Rapisarda. “He will be driving what the team calls the ‘C’ car. It has recently been refurbished and incorporates the very latest in Top fuel technology. When Larry arrives in Australia on Thursday, the first order of business will be to go to the workshop, familiarise himself with the car and start planning for the event. Wayne hasn’t raced since winning at Sydney in January 2020, but I don’t see that as being a real handicap. He’s been driving for a long time and I’m confident he will quickly get back in the groove.”
“I’m also sure there will be a little bit of healthy and good-natured Aussie v USA rivalry happening between our two teams. That’s not a problem.”
Lamattina Top Fuel Racing has moved from a single entry to a two-car outfit, with Outlaw Nitro Funny Car star Shane Olive joining the team alongside the owner-driver Phil Lamattina.
“I have worked on Top Fuel Dragsters and been around them most of my life,” said Olive. “I have always admired the speed and challenge that these cars offer and it is awesome to have the opportunity to race one with Lamattina Top Racing Team. I’m so excited and thankful.”
Second-generation racer Phil Read is one of the most talented and experienced drivers in the field. He will be looking to kick start his campaign to win his fourth Australian Top Fuel title. The team has replaced their race-winning “Black Mamba” with a new set of wheels christened “Black Mamba 2”.
“I’ve done a few runs so far and are quickly getting used to the new car,” said Read. “The pedals are in a slightly different place to what I’m used to and the driving position is a little bit more laid back. But it feels good and responds well.”
“Sydney Dragway is also our home track and we want to put on a good show for the fans.”
In Top Bike, seven-time champ Chris Matheson and John Zahara resume their long-running rivalry. While a win is important, both a chasing a much bigger prize. That is to become the first Aussie to run in the 5’s. Seven-time champ Matheson holds the current record of 6.007 set in June 2021.