In his first appearance at Calder Park Raceway, Chris Matheson top qualified and won the Australian Nationals while resetting the Top Fuel Motorcycle track record.
Back on his Nitro Voodoo machine, Matheson Top Qualified with a 6.662, then beat rival Chris Porter clocking a 6.587 in the final to Porter’s 7.05. That final pass wiped out the previous track record that stood for approximately 15 years.
“We struggled after half-track with the conditions, however, our first halves were okay,” said Matheson.
“We’re still finding our feet with the new set up on the new Nitro Voodoo machine, but we’re heading in the right direction.
“We drove from Perth to Melbourne across Australia, some 4,000 kms to race at Calder. It’s a track I’ve never run before and is infamous in Top Fuel Motorcycle racing in Australia, the scene of many close encounters.
“My Team, Graeme Turner and Clint Ackland really did double duties this weekend, as we were a man down with our youngest teammate Brett Aston unable to attend.”
Despite the extra pressure, the team rose to the occasion taking it in their stride.
“All in all, it was a great result, we top qualified, lowest ET for the meet, reset the long standing track record and won the event. We are looking forward to returning back to Calder Park Raceway later in the season to improve our results.”
Image: Grant Stephens / Drag News Australia