Larry Dixon just another name to Top Fuel leader Phil Lamattina
ANDRA Top Fuel points leader Phil Lamattina says three times world champion Larry Dixon is just another driver in a tough Top Fuel field when the Santo's Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race rolls into Willowbank Raceway on March 29 and 30.
Lamattina has made every Top Fuel final in the season so far and is looking forward to showing US visitor Dixon and his partner in crime, ace crew chief Lee Beard, what the Fuchs outfit is capable of.
"It'll be great to have Larry Dixon in the field, but for us he's just another name we have to beat and that's exactly what we will be trying to do," Lamattina said. "The competition is a great opportunity for the Australian teams to step up to the plate and race against the very best there is."
Dixon is coming off a strong start to the USA-based NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, where he has qualified for every event so far and already secured his first round win for Rapisarda Autosport International.
The Santo's Cranes Super 3 Extreme Drag Race will use the new double header championship format first used in Perth. A single qualifying shootout will be held on each day at 5pm, followed by an elimination round at 7pm and finals at 9pm. The finalists are decided by the quickest winners from the elimination round. It means fans get to experience the full excitement of a championship round compacted into an action packed four hour show.
"I love the three round format," said Lamattina, who recently won both rounds held in the double header at Perth Motorplex. "Willowbank Raceway will have a great vibe and the team are ready to turn up the wick on the 'Chrome Bullet'."
The Fuchs team has also launched a new website as a part of the team's communication with its fans, both in Australia and overseas. The new online portal features a social network interface to help keep fans up-to-date with the latest team news.
"Our social network numbers keep climbing and some of our updates have been read by more than 100,000 fans," Lamattina said. "The new site is a great way to keep those drag racing fans up to date if they aren't lucky enough to be at the track. It's also an interface for our sponsors to enhance their involvement with the team."
To see Lamattina's new website, go to www.lamattinatopfuelracing.com.au.
