FIRE-THROWING ACTION TO RING IN NEW YEAR AT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY
28 December 2010
More than 150 drag racers from around the country will ring in the New Year with high-octane action this Sunday and Monday at Willowbank Raceway for round one of the New Year Series.
Eight fire-throwing Top Fuelers and 12 Top Alcohol machines will lead the field at Queensland’s premier drag racing facility across January 2nd and 3rd, before Nitro Funny Cars, Top Doorslammers and Pro Stock racers take to the Ipswich quarter-mile for round two on January 14 and 15.
In Top Fuel, fans are advised to keep an eye on Top Fuel whiz kid Andrew Cowin as he makes a comeback to Willowbank Raceway, as well as current points leader Darren Morgan.
In Top Alcohol, Aaron Hambridge, Wayne Newby and Gary Phillips are the ones to watch, with reigning champion Phillips currently embarking on his 40th season in the sport, while Hambridge and Newby are on top of their game with an event win each so far this season.
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said that Willowbank Racweay was the place to be for those looking for fast paced family fun in the New Year, not least because Children 13 and under gain free entry.
“Top Fuel racing is the ultimate fire-throwing, ear-splitting, rock and roll four second ride down the quarter mile, and to see them in action is really something special, no matter what your age or your interest in motorsport, you just can’t help but be blown away by these 7000 horsepower machines,” said Bettes.
“Top Alcohol is also a category that is always guaranteed to produce some exciting racing, some tightly-fought battles and some amazing race craft - drag racing is just one of those sports where you have to be there to really experience the sights, the sounds, the smells, the whole experience.
“The wonderful thing about drag racing is that access to the pit area is included in your event ticket, and you can stand by and watch the crews working on these high-powered machines just a few feet away - there aren’t many sports that have this kind of access available to the fans, and its something we are very proud of.”
The two-round New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway will take place on January 2/3 (Round One) and January 14/15 (Round Two), 2011.
ANDRA Pro Series brackets Top Fuel and Top Alcohol will take to the Ipswich quarter-mile over January 2 and 3, before Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock are joined by the fire-throwing Nitro Funny Cars on January 14 and 15.
For more information and tickets, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility and hosts four major drag racing events each year - the two-round New Year Series in January, the Australian Top Fuel Championships in March and the Castrol EDGE Winternationals in June. The Queen’s Birthday event is the largest drag racing event outside of the US and is the season finale for the ANDRA Pro Series calendar.