No one could have predicted the story in Top Alcohol Gary Phillips failed to qualify for the first time in over two years. He watched on from the traps as Steven Ham did everything he needed to in reaching the Australian Nationals final securing a first ever Australian Top Alcohol Championship.Ham defeated Wayne Price in round one and posted a perfect .000 reaction on the hit in his semi final victory over John Sting to lift the ANDRA Championship Gold Christmas Tree and break Phillips dominance.

The final was a rematch of the X-Champs in Sydney back in May between Ham and Steven Reed but this time both drivers got out of the groove, Reed scraping the wall whilst in the lead and Ham crossing the centre line.

As Reed touched the wall that meant Ham would claim a golden double with the Australian Nationals title added to his new Top Alcohol crown.

“The Championship is huge,” said Ham. “This is the only year we’ve actually tried to run and did run every round of the Championship.

“We had a lot of bad luck early and we had a few wins toward the end of the season and it was a struggle toward the end.

“I’ve got a really good crew that have been with me for five years and we gel. That’s what makes it at the end of the day but you’ve got to have good people around you to make the car happen.

“If you didn’t have a good crew, go home.”