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Tuesday, 15 May 2007 - (Sydney, NSW) Despite both of the Auto-One, Fuchs Lubricants-sponsored Jim Read Racing team dragsters bowing out before the final, the team feels it was a worthwhile weekend heading into the season-ending Winternationals.
Phil Read showed strong form throughout the event and after three qualifying sessions, still claimed the number one position with an early shut-off 4.66-second pass.
"I had to shut the thing off. If I hadn't have clicked it when I did, we could have ended up in a situation we'd rather not think about. Looking on the bright side of things, if we'd had all eight candles lit for the full quarter, the car would have run a real low 60 or a high 50," remarked Phil Read.
In the first round of eliminations, Phil was matched against Bob Shepherd. Phil took the win with a 4.846/322mph pass to take a comfortable victory over Shepherd's tyre shaking seven-second effort.
This meant that Phil would have a semi-final pairing with West Aussie native, Alan Dobson. Both dragsters managed to run 70s, though Phil had to do a quick peddle job in the early stage of the run to try and gain the team a spot in the final.
Dobson defeated Phil with a 4.738 to a 4.752-second pass.
"Phil did an excellent job of pedalling the car in an effort to save the run. It's unfortunate that his effort didn't pay off but, as they say, you can't win all the time," remarked Bruce Read, Jim Read Racing crew chief.
Newcomer Martin Stamatis showed he wasn't just there to make up the numbers this weekend. In the opening qualifying session, Martin posted a career-best 4.83-second pass. Like Phil, Martin also clicked the dragster off well before the finish line.
During eliminations, Martin also scored his first round win by defeating Phil Lamattina.
"My hat is off to Rob [Cavagnino] and the entire crew for the work they put in this weekend. It would have been nice to have an all-Jim Read Racing final at the Snap-on Nitro Championships, out sponsor's event - but it wasn't to be," said Martin.
Team owner, Jim Read admits that he is still happy with the performances of the two cars this weekend.
"Despite neither of the cars reaching the final round, we still made use of our time here this weekend. Phil's semi-final appearance guaran teed us the championship for the second consecutive year in a row. We will be heading to the Winternationals focused on winning the event as well as testing for the 2007/2008 season," said team owner and WSID CEO Jim Read.
Jim Read Racing Gains Information For Season-ending Winternationals
Tuesday, 15 May 2007 - (Sydney, NSW) Despite both of the Auto-One, Fuchs Lubricants-sponsored Jim Read Racing team dragsters bowing out before the final, the team feels it was a worthwhile weekend heading into the season-ending Winternationals.
Phil Read showed strong form throughout the event and after three qualifying sessions, still claimed the number one position with an early shut-off 4.66-second pass.
"I had to shut the thing off. If I hadn't have clicked it when I did, we could have ended up in a situation we'd rather not think about. Looking on the bright side of things, if we'd had all eight candles lit for the full quarter, the car would have run a real low 60 or a high 50," remarked Phil Read.
In the first round of eliminations, Phil was matched against Bob Shepherd. Phil took the win with a 4.846/322mph pass to take a comfortable victory over Shepherd's tyre shaking seven-second effort.
This meant that Phil would have a semi-final pairing with West Aussie native, Alan Dobson. Both dragsters managed to run 70s, though Phil had to do a quick peddle job in the early stage of the run to try and gain the team a spot in the final.
Dobson defeated Phil with a 4.738 to a 4.752-second pass.
"Phil did an excellent job of pedalling the car in an effort to save the run. It's unfortunate that his effort didn't pay off but, as they say, you can't win all the time," remarked Bruce Read, Jim Read Racing crew chief.
Newcomer Martin Stamatis showed he wasn't just there to make up the numbers this weekend. In the opening qualifying session, Martin posted a career-best 4.83-second pass. Like Phil, Martin also clicked the dragster off well before the finish line.
During eliminations, Martin also scored his first round win by defeating Phil Lamattina.
"My hat is off to Rob [Cavagnino] and the entire crew for the work they put in this weekend. It would have been nice to have an all-Jim Read Racing final at the Snap-on Nitro Championships, out sponsor's event - but it wasn't to be," said Martin.
Team owner, Jim Read admits that he is still happy with the performances of the two cars this weekend.
"Despite neither of the cars reaching the final round, we still made use of our time here this weekend. Phil's semi-final appearance guaran teed us the championship for the second consecutive year in a row. We will be heading to the Winternationals focused on winning the event as well as testing for the 2007/2008 season," said team owner and WSID CEO Jim Read.
