AUSSIE EXPAT EASTON TO LEAD MOPAR ARMY TO WILLOWBANK 27 JULY
11 July 2014
Australian expatriate Steve Easton is set to lead a Mopar Army of more than 300 to Willowbank Raceway on Sunday 27 July to the delight of thousands of spectators.
In just over two weeks’ time Mopar Sunday - proudly supported by Northstar Fiat Chrysler and the ‘original’ one-marque event - will be one of three ‘marque-enthusiast’ focused events coming to Queensland’s premier drag racing facility in 2014 alongside next week’s All Ford Day (20 July) and the upcoming GM Mania (7 September), which have followed in its footsteps.
The Brisbane born and raised Easton moved to the United States in late 2011 to take up a job as crewman for the famous John Force Racing – arguably America’s most successful and well known drag racing entity.
Easton has been on sabbatical in his native Australia since April, with the 30 year old currently based in Daisy Hill as he prepares to head back to a new Californian base come October.
While he is here, Easton has been taking advantage of the chance to take the ‘California Dream’ Alcohol Funny Car of Easton and Easton Racing on-track, including at the recent FUCHS Winternationals and the upcoming 12th running of the Mopar Sunday event.
“We competed in the Supercharged Outlaws bracket of the Winternationals at which I was also a crew member for the Top Fuel winning Rapisarda Autosport International Team – it was a great event and so much fun to be back in action at my home-track,” said Easton.
“After that experience I just can’t wait to get back out there for Mopar Sunday, I have taken part in the event once before as a racer and attended plenty of times as a spectator – it is a great event with a relaxed atmosphere bringing together the best of Mopar, it really is fantastic.”
Easton is expected to make three passes down the Willowbank Raceway drag strip across the day as part of what is one of the largest Mopar gatherings in Australia seeing everything from full ANDRA-spec race cars to street cars, stock rides and even Jeeps come together on track in celebration of everything Mopar.
“I can’t wait to get on track and put on a show for the spectators including some great big burnouts and hopefully some quick passes down the quarter-mile too,” said Easton, who thanked Mopar Sunday for the invitation to take part as well as his sponsors Fataz Performance Engines, P and E Customs, Fat Pipes and HPC Coatings.
“With our car being ‘all Mopar’ and sporting a Hemi engine and a Dodge body this is the perfect playing field for us to go out and show what we can do, without the usual pressure – instead, we just focus on having fun and putting on a fantastic show to celebrate these great machines and the people who love them.”
Come Sunday 27 July Mopar Sunday, is expected to host more than 150 vehicles as part of all day drag racing, with another 150 to be on display as part of the Surf City Garage ‘Show n Shine’. Also on offer will be a dyno competition, trade alley and merchandise stalls, with around 3000 spectators expected to attend. The event is proudly presented by Northstar Fiat Chrysler, Mopar Australia, Redline Performance and Shannons.
Alongside Easton a number of other headline cars will also be taking part, including Joe La Spina’s General Lee Dodge Charger, the 66 Dodge Coronet of Greg Emberley, and the 1970 Mopar Sunday ‘Cuda of Eric Sherrard.
Spectator tickets including access to the Show and Shine and swap meet are just $25 (children 13 and under gain free entry) and are now available online at www.moparsunday.com or for purchase at the gate. Racing entry is $70 for pre-entry or $90 at the gate (includes driver), while Dyno Shootout entry is $25 (not including gate admission). Gates open at 7.00am for an 8.00am start with an estimated finish of 3.30pm. Entry forms and further information can be found at www.moparsunday.com
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility, located 45 minutes from Brisbane or just a short drive from Ipswich, offering a year-round program of events for the entire family. For more information including a full event calendar, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au