RAI plans to return to Willowbank Raceway, Queensland for the first time since January 4, 2020, for Round Three of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, January 7-8.  

At their last appearance, the team swept the podium. Wayne Newby took the win over Damien Harris in the A-Final with Californian import Ashley Sanford claiming victory over Phil Read in the B-Final. 

“We are looking forward to returning to Willowbank,” said team owner Santo Rapisarda. “Over the years the venue has been a happy hunting ground for the team. 

Racing in Queensland in the middle of summer can present some unique challenges with track temperatures often above 115oF and humidity around the 90 per cent mark.

 “The team that can adapt best to the conditions and is able to go down the track with a minimum of drama will come out on top,” Rapisarda continued. “Even though we haven’t raced there since 2020 my boys have amassed a lot of data and info over the years that they can call upon. 

“Damien is in career-best form and along with Santo Jr., and his crew have developed a great race-winning package. Wayne and his tuner Santino finished runner-up in the B-Final at the previous round at the Motorplex and are ready to collect their first A-Final win of the season. 

There are six cars entered and anyone can take the win on the day. Hopefully and fingers crossed it will be an RAI car.”  

Two-time Oz champion Damien Harris and tuner Santo Rapisarda Jr. have blitzed the field this season winning both rounds of the championship and hold a commanding 110-point lead over veteran Phil Read with two-time champ Phil Lamattina - 20 points adrift in third place. 

While Harris will be gunning to become the first driver in ATFC history to claim three consecutive wins all eyes will be on the Lamattina squad. 

After 11 seasons, which included two Australian titles the team parted ways with tuner Aaron Hambridge after the last round at the Perth Motorplex in November.

Luke Marsden, in his sophomore season as a tuner of the second LTFR car of Shane Olive will do double duty tuning both cars.

Marsden took reigns of the Phil Lamattina car for the first time when the team tested changes to their fuel system and clutch setup in December.

At the other end of the spectrum, Jim Read Racing will have two tuners on board for the weekend. Regular wrench Bruce Reed will be able to call on the experience of NHRA tuner Jim Oberhofer who will be returning to Australia for the first time since January 2020.

Reigning champ Peter Xiberras occupies fifth place 160 points behind Harris and will need to make major inroads into that lead if he is to successfully defend his title. 

“It has been a tough season for us so far,” said Xiberras. “We haven’t had an A-Final win yet this season, so it would be amazing to break through for that at Willowbank Raceway, which is our home track with the team headquartered in Queensland.”

Doorslammer has attracted six entries headed by a strong Western Australian contingent of Kelvin Lyle, John Zappia, and Daniel Gregorini.