MAYORS TO RACE FOR CITY PRIDE THIS SUNDAY
11 June 2010
It won’t just be ANDRA Pro Series titles on the line this Sunday at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, with city pride now also at stake.
Ipswich Mayor Cr Paul Pisasale will take on visiting Mildura Mayor Cr Glenn Milne in a special ‘Mayor V Mayor’ match race at Willowbank Raceway on Sunday as part of the official opening ceremonies.
The pair will race for their respective cities' pride in a novelty drag race on what is race day for the largest drag racing event outside of the US which is expected to attract up to 40,000 spectators over its duration.
Host Mayor Cr Paul Pisasale was quick to point out that while he normally wouldn’t place Ipswich above other cities as he believes all are equal depending on where you live, in this case he was willing to make a exception.
“I never say one city is better than another because where you live is your home," Cr Paul Pisasale said.
“But when it comes to the mayor's challenge, you can be sure I will be pulling out all the stops to see Ipswich come home in first place!
“I am very proud of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals and how the Ipswich community gets behind this event.
"It is the largest drag racing event outside of the US at Queensland’s premier quarter-mile facility, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it this Sunday.”
Mildura Mayor Cr Glenn Milne had a slightly different take on things, and hoped that his circuit racing experience might help him have that extra edge come Sunday.
“Well Victorians are quicker off the mark than Queenslanders and we are obviously the better state, so it is good to see the two go head to head and that Cr Paul Pisasale is willing to put his pride on the line and try and defend the pride of Queensland against indefensible odds,” laughed Cr Glenn Milne.
“I have some motorsport experience so hopefully that will help me – if Paul wants to pull out and just hand over the trophy I will accept that with great dignity!
“It will be absolutely fantastic, and in all sincerity, I appreciate Ipswich and Willowbank Raceway just making me feel welcome and doing this – it is a bit of fun but it just shows so much goodwill and I really appreciate that, but having said that, I am still not going to let him get away with it!”
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals will host in excess of 480 racers over the June 10-13 event, including 85 from the professional categories.
The Thursday June 10 to Sunday June 13 event is hosting the championship ANDRA Pro Series final rounds for Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike and Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Bike as well as final championship rounds for all of the sportsman brackets. For more information, schedules or to purchase tickets, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au