After securing the 2014 ANDRA Top Fuel Championship, the second national title of his career, Phil Lamattina  (above left) has just one thing on his mind – more racing.

“I’m probably more relieved than anything but so proud of our team.

“To all of the boys on the crew and crew chief Aaron Hambridge, this is a tribute to their hard work and the huge effort that they put in. 

Although Phil lost in round one at the Australian Nationals, the result was enough to lock up the championship over good mate Allan Dobson. 

“We had a great fight with Dobbo all year! Obviously, I want to win but he’s just such a good bloke, I almost wanted him to win too!” laughed Lamattina.

“The Nationals was just an unusual event, we smoked the tyres and got beaten, which is normally a downer, but we won the championship, which was really something!

“Then my younger brother John comes through and wins his first meeting, we were all excited again.

“I’m proud of John and his guys as well! It’s their first big win and we all knew it was a matter of time, he’s going to be one of the hardest guys to beat next year.”

Now the team will prepare for the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Night of Fire at Sydney Dragway on November 29, where LTFR Crew Chief Aaron Hambridge will race The Bandit Trans Am.

“We’ll take the Fuchs Flyer out for a run again this year, Aaron has it hopped up and I can’t wait to race against him again, it’s a bit of fun.”

“After that event, we have a lot to do, new car liveries, new merch, some new sponsors and much more.

“It will be a new look LTFR next season. The one thing we are working hard to keep the same is the results – I think I like this championship winning feeling!”

Image courtesy: dragphotos.com.au