Phillips focused on Westernationals.
Gary Phillips’s racing operation is crossing the country in preparation for the ANDRA Pro Series in Perth this weekend, with the 41st running of the Westernationals.
Phillips raced in Tasmania last weekend in the Slamfest series where he advanced to the semi finals (after a 4.17/182mph run in the first round) only to be pipped at the stripe by series points leader, Peter Kapiris (4.15 to 4.26).
“It’s so good to take the Lucas name to a market where the people may have seen the name on the shelf at the shop, but now they have seen a 3000 horsepower race car actually use the product. I think that makes us all happy,” he said.
The “Holiday Isle” served the Lucas Oils team anything but a relaxing break, with the championship winning Studebaker quickly sailed across the Bass Strait to start its five day journey to the western side of the nation to contest round three of the Top Doorslammer championship at Perth Motorplex this weekend.
“The Westernationals is special for us as it has been around as long as we have in this sport,” Phillips said, matching the 41st running of the event with his forty-first year in racing. “I’m really comfortable with the car again and so we’re confident that we’ll make a good showing over there making the switch to the full quarter mile again. We can’t wait!”
Phillips will be looking to boost himself well up in the points, after a DNQ in the first round of the championship in Sydney and missing the second round in Perth. But he will have to take on 15 other teams all eager to prove themselves
The Lucas Oils Studebaker will take to the Motorplex for qualifying at 6, 8 and 10pm on Saturday March 3, with eliminations starting at 6pm on the Sunday.