PERFORMANCE & RACING
NEW PARTNERSHIP TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIP CONCLUDES IN STYLE FOR AEROFLOW The Burson Auto Parts sponsored Lamattina The partnership will begin immediately
Aeroflow Performance Products has signed a multi-year agreement to become the naming rights partner for the 400 Thunder Drag Racing Series. The series will now be known as the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series, encompassing both the sportsman and professional divisions. “Aeroflow have been part of the fabric of drag racing for so long now, and this announcement is about reinforcing their commitment to the future of the sport,” 400 Thunder General Manager, Jason Hedges, said. “Having worked with the team from Aeroflow on the Aeroflow Future Stars Program for junior competitors, it is clear to me that they are want this sport to flourish. “This is a considerable investment in the future of the 400 Thunder Series and will help to cement the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series for years to come.”
Top Fuel Racing Team took runner-up honours in 2022
The inaugural Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship came to an end at the spectacular Nitro Up North event held at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Dragstrip on June 17 and 18. While Lamattina Top Fuel Racing (LTFR) team owner and driver Phil Lamattina missed out on the title in a duel that included racing his Burson Auto Parts team mate Shane Olive twice, it was rival Peter Xiberras who took home the 2022 Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship trophy after an impressive season long performance. “Congratulations to Peter and his team, they have done a great job and deserve the rewards,” Phil said.
The Darwin track provided some challenges for each car’s tune-ups. Along with the heat and humidity, track conditions were challenging with no racing on the dragstrip held during the day, and very limited racing on the surface in the lead-up to the event.
“We have nothing to complain about, we had a good season. I was the first driver to win two events and my teammate Shane won his first event in a rookie year, plus a stack of podiums.
Phil finished the championship as Runner-Up with 500 points, 40 behind new champion Peter Xiberras. Shane finished in sixth with 330 points in what was an outstanding rookie season.
“None of this would be possible without the support of Burson Auto Parts and Fuchs Lubricants, we are lucky to have such awesome support from them as well as Dayco, Rocky Lamattina and Sons and everyone else who has helped along the way.” Aeroflow Brand Manager, Glenn Collett, agreed with Jason’s sentiments. “Drag Racing is home for us, these are our people. The appointment of Jason Hedges to the 400 Thunder General Manager role has made this decision an easy one for us,” Glenn said. “Drag Racing has such a loyal and passionate fan base, and with the excellent Kayo / Fox Sports broadcast agreement bringing more fans to the sport, I can only see positives for 400 Thunder in the future. “We look forward to bringing the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series to fans across the country over the coming years.” The partnership will begin immediately, and Aeroflow will have a presence at many upcoming events. The partnership will also see a refresh of the 400 Thunder brand with a co-branded 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series logo. For more information on Aeroflow, visit www.aeroflowperformance.com For more information on the 400 Thunder Aeroflow Drag Racing Series, please visit www.400thunder.com.au 102
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine July 2022
Xiberras. In his rookie season, Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Dragster driver Shane Olive arrived at the event with 260 points and at sixth position in the championship.
While the team results saw Phil Lamattina fall just short of the championship title, this marquee event was fantastic for the teams and the fans, held in conjunction with the Supercars and the Australian Superbikes Championships at the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown. Phil went into the final with 450 points, just 10 points behind championship leader Peter
Team boss Phil explained, “of course we are disappointed, but that’s racing, you win some, you lose some.” “We will be in Alice Springs to start the new Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship season in just two months, so now we will prepare for that. Whether it is myself or Shane, it’s time for some gold for the trophy cabinet.” The 2022/23 Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship gets underway as one of the major attractions of the Red CentreNATS event taking place in Alice Springs on September 1 and 2. For more information, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au
