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This weekend’s 42nd Australian Nationals drag racing contest at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway will see Brisbane’s Gary Phillips roll out his newly purchased NHRA World Championship winning Funny Car for the first time in competition at his home track.
Phillips made it Australian Group One title number 13 last season, when he clinched his first ever Top Doorslammer crown, racing against the likes of fellow Queensland drivers Brett Stevens, Ben and Victor Bray, Aaron Lynch plus Western Australian dynamo John Zappia.
As a 12-time Top Alcohol titleholder there appears to be a genuine resolve to make it a National Championship double this season and that cause should be well supported by Phillips’ newest addition to the racing stable.
Having traded his Lucas Oil Products Dragster for the Funny Car, which was successfully campaigned by American heavyweight Cy Chesterman to NHRA success in 2004, Phillips will be looking for redemption after a less than impressive first outing in Sydney.
“Sydney didn’t go to plan – we tried some stuff and it just didn’t work out the way we thought it would, ” said Phillips.
“To be honest I think we had a batch of bad clutch discs which didn’t help, but it is no excuse and that’s what happens when you go experimenting sometimes.
“In the Doorslammer we did well qualifying third with a 6.01 and although we went out in the first round I think we’re on the right track with that deal.
“For now though I am just trying to look forward, rather than look back, and work on having the Funny Car on the money for its local competitive debut. ”
Set to contest two brackets at this weekend’s 42nd Australian Nationals at Willowbank Raceway, the thought of a title double is sure to be weighing on Phillips shoulders during his preparation.
“The Nationals has always been an important race for us with Lucas Oil Products, ” said Phillips.
“We have won nine Nationals to date in what is a very competitive event so we will be working hard to have both cars up to scratch.
“Of course it is very hard to have two cars running in the one event but this isn’t something new for us.
“We’ll be working on getting the simple things right and putting on a show for our local fans.
“There has been a lot of interest in Queensland regarding the debut of the Funny Car so I would hate to disappoint! ”
The annual Australian Nationals, which again features all six Group One professional categories, kicks off a new season for Queensland drag racing having been secured to the State in 2002 with the support of Queensland Events Corporation under its Major Events portfolio.
Such support has allowed Willowbank Raceway to maintain its reputation as one of the premier tracks in Australia.
Willowbank officials will use the 42nd Australian Nationals as an appropriate springboard towards a revamped 10-month program of drag racing events.
