MISSPENT YOUTH TO CULMINATE IN FUCHS WINTERNATIONALS 'DREAM' DEBUT FOR WA’S RACCO
18 May 2015
When West Australia’s Jodi Racco makes his FUCHS Winternationals debut at Willowbank Raceway in less than three weeks (June 4-7) it will be just his second ever professional Pro Stock event and a dream come true following what the 46 year old calls a ‘misspent youth’.
The Queen’s Birthday long weekend event is the largest championship drag racing event held outside of North America, and will host more than 500 racers and an expected 30,000 spectators at Queensland’s premier drag racing facility across its four days.
“My introduction to drag racing came from what you could call a misspent youth with my older brother Dion, growing up ten minutes away from Ravenswood Raceway it was bound to happen that I would find myself on the race track,” laughed Racco, a Maintenance Superintendent from Waroona who previously raced in Super Stock, making five WA Super Stock finals in a row in his 308 BMSA Commodore, taking 3rdin the 07/08 and 2nd in the 08/09 seasons.
“Mum and Dad to this day think I am crazy, but after starting out crewing at the age of 14 I couldn’t walk away.
“Now to be travelling across the country to compete in only my second ‘pro’ event and at the biggest show in Australian drag racing, it is as good as it gets and is the realisation of a dream I have had since I started out as that 14 year old teenager.
“The Winternationals is hands down the best event I have ever been to, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!”
Racco has turned the wheels in anger in the Pro Stock class once before, making his debut in the category in 2013 at his home track of the Perth Motorplex and its Westernationals event.
“Pro Stock has got to be one of the hardest classes out there to run in my opinion and I take my hat off to anyone who runs these cars and is able to go rounds,” said Racco, who will field a 2010 Don Ness Holden Monaro Diamond T Toolbox racer previously owned by Wayne Daley.
“I have been lucky enough to have Michael Marriott guide me through the ‘Prostock maze’, spend some time with Wayne Daley who has shown me the ropes, and also champion racer Lee Bektash who was very entertaining the whole time – they are great guys.
“All going well we are hopeful of making the field and improving on our personal best (7.03 seconds) that we ran in Perth with an engine that was built and dynoed by our team here in West Australia.”
While his parents may question his fascination with the sport, Racco’s wife and children are enthusiastic supporters of his passion.
“My wife Karen is my unofficial sponsor and the kids Maddi and Molly are my official supporters, and it is definitely a point of pride for me that I am still happily married with two daughters even after 30 years of drag racing,” said Racco, who also thanks his sponsors Diamond T Toolboxes, Motorsport Database, Applied Automotive, and his C&R Motorsports Developments business partner Geoff Chaisty, while sending a ‘big thanks’ to Shane DeRosa at SDR Engineering (WA), Rino Conte at RC Engines and his crew Kev, Stevie, Karl, Muzza and Phil and their partners for all of their support.
“I have always believed that a competitive Pro Stock package could be put together in WA. We have some awesome drag racing talent over here and I am really pleased to be able to compete on the national stage and see their hard work rewarded.”
Racco and the Pro Stock field will be joined by more than 500 racers at the FUCHS Winternationals, including competitors from their fellow professional categories Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Top Fuel Motorcycle and Pro Stock Motorcycle. For more event information, please see below or visitwww.willowbankraceway.com.au
The final competitive hit-out at Willowbank Raceway before the FUCHS Winternationals kicks off was held at the weekend, with round two of the Queensland Drag Racing Championship held on Saturday 16 May. Taking home victory was Tony Bellert (QDRC SuperComp), Peter Puznik (QDRC Comp Bike), Nathan Pullen (Donnelly Blasting Services QDRC Outlaws), Michael Bailey (Knijff Earthmoving Modified), Adam Solomon (Powercruise Super Sedan), Mitchell Bauer (Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street), Shaun Soboll (Modified Bike), Tim Barron (Junior Dragster) and Patrick Barron (Super Gas). For full event results, please click here.
ABOUT THE FUCHS WINTERNATIONALS
The FUCHS Winternationals is the jewel in the crown of Willowbank Raceway and the Australian drag racing industry.
A truly iconic event, not only is the FUCHS Winternationals the largest championship drag racing event held outside of North America, it is also the final championship round of the season for all of the country’s drag racing brackets.
From the amazing flame-throwing Top Fuelers right through to Junior Dragsters, every single bracket that competes for national championship honours will be on-track at the FUCHS Winternationals, with more than 500 cars and bikes from all over the country expected to be on-track over four big days of racing.
This guarantees non-stop action all day from Thursday 4 June to Sunday 7 June both on and off the track, with thrilling racing complimented by a wide range of things to see and do in the pits and spectator entries – all amongst an awesome festive atmosphere.
Spectators have a range of viewing options available to them, from finding a grassy spot on ‘the hill’ to general admission and reserved grandstand seating; while corporate guests have a range of options available from the permanent fixtures of the instantly recognisable Willowbank Raceway corporate centre and the Bendigo Bank Corporate Club to the purpose-built Sky Marquee of the FUCHS Winternationals.
Tickets are on sale online now – including discounted pre-purchase only tickets. Looking to bring the family? Don’t forget that children aged 13 and under gain free admission, while students with ID and Concession Card Holders can access discounted entry (terms and conditions apply).
For full event information, please click here.
TICKET PRICES
Individual day tickets – General Admission - CHILDREN AGED 13 AND UNDER GAIN FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
Thursday 4 June 2015
- General Admission – Adult - $20.00
- General Admission – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $15.00
Friday 5 June 2015
- General Admission – Adult - $40.00
- General Admission – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $20.00
Saturday 6 June 2015
- General Admission – Adult - $50.00
- General Admission – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $35.00
Sunday 7 June 2015
- General Admission – Adult - $50.00
- General Admission – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $35.00
Multi-day tickets – General Admission - CHILDREN AGED 13 AND UNDER GAIN FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
- General Admission - Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June – Adult - $70.00
- General Admission - Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $40.00
- General Admission - Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June – Adult - $80.00
- General Admission - Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $50.00
- General Admission - Friday 5 June, Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June (inclu. Complimentary Thursday 4 June access) – Adult - $120.00
- General Admission - Friday 5 June, Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June (inclu. Complimentary Thursday 4 June access) – Student 14 and over and Concession Card (Age and Disability Only) Holders (MUST SHOW ID) - $90.00
Reserved seating (purchased in addition to GA ticket)
- Grandstand Seat - Thursday 4 June – NO RESERVED SEATING, FREE ACCESS
- Grandstand Seat – Friday 5 June – NO RESERVED SEATING, FREE ACCESS
- Grandstand Seat – Saturday 6 June 2015 - $12.00
- Grandstand Seat – Sunday 7 June 2015 - $12.00
- Startline Club Seat – Saturday 6 June 2015 - $16.00
- Startline Club Seat – Sunday 7 June 2015 -$16.00
Corporate options are also available, please email kerryn@willowbank-raceway.com.au for enquiries or to make a booking
ABOUT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY
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