PHILLIPS PUMPED FOR QT TIN TOP TITLES

Brisbane Top Doorslammer drag racing heavyweight Gary Phillips is hell bent on claiming a maiden Australian championship for the category and that’ll ensure fireworks during this Saturday’s penultimate round at Willowbank Raceway during the QT Tin Top Titles.

To fans across the country it seems something of an anomaly that a driver who has 12 Australian Top Alcohol titles to his credit, has been unable to chalk up a Top Doorslammer crown.

But such is the nature of a sport where just tenths and hundredths of a second represent the margin between winning and losing that this veteran still has yet to tick off that goal in his career.

Phillips has enjoyed solid results which have seen him among the top rung of competitors for the past eight years.

That same consistency has proved the key to the Queenslander’s 2007 charge, leading a star-studded pack of proven performers going into this weekend’s crucial showdown.

On the back end of four straight finals appearances he’s shown he has the mettle and desire to go all the way and is counting on a bit of luck to convert another finals fling into a QT Tin Top Titles winner’s trophy.

“We have an 89-point buffer out in front but haven’t been able to convert on track form into an outright victory, so it’d be nice to go into the season ending Winternationals (June 8-10) with a bit more confidence,” said Phillips.

“In saying that we only need to continue with what we’ve been doing this year to claim the Championship.

“But like all the drivers I’m aiming for outright victory which is something that has eluded us so far this season.

“We haven’t been able to take a trick.

“First off we broke a spark plug in the final against Victor (Bray) at the Nationals at Willowbank last September, next it was a blower drive in Perth up against Peter Kapiris then to top it all off the past two rounds has seen Brett (Stevens) get the better of us.

“Last time round it was only Brett’s quicker reaction at the start line that gave him the holeshot win, so we’re obviously not that far off and hopefully we’ll put it together this weekend.”

A runner’s up Championship trophy in 2005, when young gun Ben Bray claimed the title, is the closest Phillips has come to tasting the victory champagne.

John Zappia, Brett Stevens and Victor Bray are all within striking distance for the 2006/07 spoils, but the Brisbane driver prefers to focus on his own backyard.

“We’ve got a healthy lead going into the Tin Tops, we’ve been the most consistent and remain progressive in our approach, so there’s no reason we can’t go on with it.”

“That’s why we’re in the points lead, we’ve consistently run the Lucas Oil Products Top Doorslammer on its merits and run to what the track will take.

“That becomes even more important this weekend because it’s a one day event and you just can’t afford any breakages to spoil the momentum.

“We’ve worked hard but the fat lady hasn’t been called to the stage, as a matter of fact she hasn’t even got out of her chair.

“But come Saturday night we hope she’ll be warming the vocal chords and then singing a sweet song at the Winternationals in June. ”

The QT Tin Top Titles will ensure a packed day and night of drag racing action which kicks off with qualifying from 8am this Saturday.

Feature qualifying is set down for 10.15am, 12.30pm and 2.45pm before Willowbank Raceway shapes up to eliminations from 6.10pm.

Anticipation reigns with the return of the most incredible all-sedan confrontations as Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Street Outlaws and Pro Turbo categories headline this time honoured tradition of Queensland drag racing.

In essence the format of the QT Tin Top Titles will see the realisation of drag racing activities inclusive of the vastly popular Fast Fours Jamboree and Powercruise scenes which have continually attracted massive interest among drag racing fans.

QT Tin Top Titles (April 28) – featuring Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro Street Outlaws and Pro Turbo

TICKETING: All ticket prices include paddock admission

Adults $30
Student (must show ID) $20

Children 13 & under are admitted free

LOCATION
Willowbank Raceway
Champions Way (off Cunningham Highway 5km past the Rosewood turnoff)
Willowbank QLD 4307