Gary Phillips Captures Top Alcohol Title

Phillips Takes Thirteenth Title


Australian Drag Racing icon Gary Phillips has climbed back onto the throne as the King of Top Alcohol after re-claiming the crown at the final round on Sunday at Willowbank Raceway.

Phillips went into the final round of the season five points behind series leader, Steve Reed and twenty five points ahead of Debbie Reed, creating a mathematical nightmare every time the cars staged. In the first of a long list of nail-biters, the qualifying order would post Phillips against Steve Reed in the first round of eliminations.

However, Reed was unable to recover from a tire turning start, ending his run for the
title, leaving Phillips to win despite throwing a blower belt at three quarter track and to continue his campaign to face Debbie Reed in the next round.

The classic “Reed versus Phillips” match-up produced an awesome side-by-side five second pass and despite losing to Reed, the run netted Phillips the bonus ten points for top speed and low elapsed time of the event with a 5.576 at 255.10 mph. With Reed’s loss to Aaron Hambridge in the final, Phillips retained the points required to claim the title.

“This is just awesome. It’s my wife Debbie’s birthday today and Cheyne’s tomorrow and because we were at the track, when I woke this morning, I asked them what they wanted and the ANDRA Top Alcohol Championship was the answer!” said Phillips, still elated despite this being his thirteenth Australian title in the category and his fourteenth overall with the inclusion of the 2007 Top Doorslammer win.

“We decided to park the Doorslammer at home this weekend and concentrate on the Funny Car and that was a tough decision but it has certainly paid off,” Phillips said after landing the Lucas Oils ’53 Studebaker in fourth place for the season.

“Lucas Oils have been amazing for us this year again and we’ve been determined to make them proud. Our crew has just been brilliant and so to have our supporters. Bring on the next season!”

The Lucas Oil Products team has only two months to celebrate the victory before the season begins again on August 8 at Willowbank Raceway.

Courtesy of Bennie Bishop