Lamattina to debut new car in Perth

Former Top Fuel champion, Phil Lamattina will debut a new McKinney chassis at this weekend's opening round of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, the Nitro Max at the Perth Motorplex.

Riding high on long-time sponsor, Fuchs signing on for a tenth consecutive year, Lamattina said reclaiming the ANDRA crown is the team's goal.

"We have been the fastest car most of the time [over the past two years] but we haven't been able to win the races that we needed to win," Lamattina said.

"This year we are looking to be both fast and consistent. I will be racing a new chassis that should be both quicker and more comfortable.

"We want it bad, that's for sure. The team has left no stone unturned for this season, we have one goal – ANDRA Gold."

Lamattina's championship chase has been made somewhat easier with reigning champion, and winner of the past three title, Darren Morgan missing the season-opener due to a lack of funding.

But Lamattina crew chief, Aaron Hambridge said the five-car field - which includes four WA-based drivers, Allan Dobson, Damien Harris, Mark Sheehan and Martin Stamatis - was quality and repeating last year's Perth success in which the team won both rounds would not be easy.

"We would love to the same to start of this season however it's not going to be easy, it is a relatively small field but the quality of the cars is higher than ever," Hambridge said.

"We have some great data and we are going to use everything to try and achieve the very best we can."

Perth's searing summer temperatures will be a factor in the Nitro Max outcome with forecasts of 39 and 40 degrees for Friday and Saturday.

Friday's sportsman qualifying sessions begin at 5:00pm, with three Top Fuel qualifying sessions schedule for 6, 8 and 10:00pm. Saturday's main racing program begins at 6:00pm, with Top Fuel's elimination rounds again at 6, 8 and 10:00pm.

© Image - Just Drag Racing/John Bosher