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(Wemen, Vic) Remarkably, plans are well underway for Phil Lamattina to return to drag racing at the International Top Fuel round in December at Western Sydney International Dragway with a new Fuchs Top Fuel Dragster. The news of the comeback was released by the team today just weeks after Australia's most horrific quarter mile crash, with many saying Phil was lucky to walk away relatively unscathed.
According to the successful carrot farmer though, luck only played a small part in his miraculous escape from the 500kph smash - "Safety has always been the number one priority in our team. We have never made short cuts with our equipment, we have always sourced and bought the right gear and I think that was one of the biggest reasons why I came away from the incident ok."
Commenting on the crash, Phil said "It was an unfortunate accident. We've spent a lot of time going over what went wrong and all the data points to a failure in the chassis design. With Australian top fuel racing producing faster and faster times, it looks as if the chassis just wasn't up to the speeds we are going these days."
"The whole situation of the crash, the reaction from my family and team, has made me do a lot of soul-searching over the past couple of weeks. Always in the back of my mind was the thought that I needed to get back into a Top Fueler, I just knew I needed to continue. If I didn't, then I would be asking myself for the rest of my life if I had made the right decision."
Phil's choice to continue with his fledgling drag racing career was made in consultation with his tight-knit family - "My wife, Sarah, is fully supportive of the decision. She knows that I've grown up around dangerous machinery on the farm and that if I wasn't one hundred percent sure that my equipment was safe, I wouldn't touch it. She keeps telling me that she knows I'll do the right thing when I get back in the car."
"As for my brothers, Angelo and John, well, they want me to continue. One of the things that Angelo said a few days ago was that if the team didn't think that I was the right person to drive the Top Fueler then he would've said I shouldn't carry on but they have the faith that I can do a good job and that means a lot to me," Phil added.
Phil's father and the founder of the family's carrot business, Rocky Lamattina is a little more reserved - "Like any father who loves their kids, you worry when they are doing anything dangerous. I'm not totally comfortable with Phil continuing his racing but he has been brought up in a family where he is allowed to make his own decisions. Phil has always had common sense and I trust that he has made a common sense decision. My sons have had my full support for their drag racing from day one and that hasn't changed, I've just asked them to make sure they do everything physically possible to ensure their safety."
With the support of family, friends and sponsors, Phil Lamattina is now set for a dramatic comeback - "So it's time to move forward and get ready for the International event in December at WSID. We should have news next week on our new car and also some exciting plans for next season. We can't say too much now but stay tuned; it's going to be great."
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have taken the time to phone and email me since the crash. The support and encouragement has truly been overwhelming. I'd also like to thank all the drag racing competitors who have shown their support, it really proves what a fantastic sport we have. Also the track and safety staff at Willowbank Raceway, their efforts on the night [of the crash] were nothing short of heroic. To my sponsors, especially Fuchs, who have been so understanding of the situation. And lastly, my deepest gratitude to my family and friends. I have been blessed with their support and encouragement and the last few weeks would have been a lot harder without them."
Carrot King Turns Comeback King For International Top Fuel Event!
(Wemen, Vic) Remarkably, plans are well underway for Phil Lamattina to return to drag racing at the International Top Fuel round in December at Western Sydney International Dragway with a new Fuchs Top Fuel Dragster. The news of the comeback was released by the team today just weeks after Australia's most horrific quarter mile crash, with many saying Phil was lucky to walk away relatively unscathed.
According to the successful carrot farmer though, luck only played a small part in his miraculous escape from the 500kph smash - "Safety has always been the number one priority in our team. We have never made short cuts with our equipment, we have always sourced and bought the right gear and I think that was one of the biggest reasons why I came away from the incident ok."
Commenting on the crash, Phil said "It was an unfortunate accident. We've spent a lot of time going over what went wrong and all the data points to a failure in the chassis design. With Australian top fuel racing producing faster and faster times, it looks as if the chassis just wasn't up to the speeds we are going these days."
"The whole situation of the crash, the reaction from my family and team, has made me do a lot of soul-searching over the past couple of weeks. Always in the back of my mind was the thought that I needed to get back into a Top Fueler, I just knew I needed to continue. If I didn't, then I would be asking myself for the rest of my life if I had made the right decision."
Phil's choice to continue with his fledgling drag racing career was made in consultation with his tight-knit family - "My wife, Sarah, is fully supportive of the decision. She knows that I've grown up around dangerous machinery on the farm and that if I wasn't one hundred percent sure that my equipment was safe, I wouldn't touch it. She keeps telling me that she knows I'll do the right thing when I get back in the car."
"As for my brothers, Angelo and John, well, they want me to continue. One of the things that Angelo said a few days ago was that if the team didn't think that I was the right person to drive the Top Fueler then he would've said I shouldn't carry on but they have the faith that I can do a good job and that means a lot to me," Phil added.
Phil's father and the founder of the family's carrot business, Rocky Lamattina is a little more reserved - "Like any father who loves their kids, you worry when they are doing anything dangerous. I'm not totally comfortable with Phil continuing his racing but he has been brought up in a family where he is allowed to make his own decisions. Phil has always had common sense and I trust that he has made a common sense decision. My sons have had my full support for their drag racing from day one and that hasn't changed, I've just asked them to make sure they do everything physically possible to ensure their safety."
With the support of family, friends and sponsors, Phil Lamattina is now set for a dramatic comeback - "So it's time to move forward and get ready for the International event in December at WSID. We should have news next week on our new car and also some exciting plans for next season. We can't say too much now but stay tuned; it's going to be great."
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have taken the time to phone and email me since the crash. The support and encouragement has truly been overwhelming. I'd also like to thank all the drag racing competitors who have shown their support, it really proves what a fantastic sport we have. Also the track and safety staff at Willowbank Raceway, their efforts on the night [of the crash] were nothing short of heroic. To my sponsors, especially Fuchs, who have been so understanding of the situation. And lastly, my deepest gratitude to my family and friends. I have been blessed with their support and encouragement and the last few weeks would have been a lot harder without them."
