Queensland Raceway ready for Tri-State event

Wakefield confirmed entry.

For the first time since 1999, Wayne Wakefield will campaign his Mazda 808 Wagon on a Queensland circuit, with confirmation today of his entry for the 2002 Improved Production Nationals.

So far this season, Wakefield has been competing in V8 Supercars for Paul Morris Motorsport and Imrie Motorsport, with a highlight being 2nd place in the Bathurst Konica race.

Wakefield and his Wagon grew a small army of supporters with his sideways antics in his formative years, and he will be on the money to pick up his first national crown on November 3 at Queensland Raceway.

The car will be prepared by Graphic Skills Racing team leader Phil Laird, who will be busy as ever, as his team will field a total of five Mazdas.

With thanks to support from Yokohama tyres, a total of 32 cars will be making the trek to the meeting from south of the border.

Impressively, New South Wales will be represented by 23 cars on the grid, with their charge being led by former V8 Supercar and Production Car racer, Ric Shaw, and Stephen Flemming, who has been on the pace during his most recent visits to Queensland.

Mark Short and Ian Stratham will represent South Australia, while Tasmania will have four cars on the grid, being led by the Ford EB GT Falcon of Ray Hislop, who has Bathurst 1000 experience.

Victoria, although it will only have five cars on the grid, Rohan Ambrose and Ken Douglas will both be in contention for the podium in their incredibly quick Mazda RX7s.

The bulk of the field will come from the Sunshine State, and they will be out to end their streak of outs, since nobody from Queensland has ever won the event.

Another interesting facet of the Improved Production class is that 11 different manufacturers will be represented on the grid, with cars coming from Suzuki, Mazda, Holden, Honda, Toyota, Datsun, Ford, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Volvo and Chrysler.

However, no matter which make of car, all cars will compete on the Yokohama control tyre, as they have for some time.

Support classes have also been finalised, with the Racing Cars joined with Formula Fords, Sports Sedans, and a combined field of Geminis, HQ Holdens and Saloon Cars.

Fast Facts Practice Starts- 8:30am Saturday November 2.
Racing Starts- 1pm on Saturday, and 8:30am Sunday November 3.

Admission costs
Weekend- $15
Saturday- $10
Sunday- $10, Children 12 & under Free.
Pit Entry- Free all weekend

Location- Queensland Raceway is at the end of Champions Way, Willowbank, adjacent to the Willowbank Drag Strip, and off the Cunningham Highway (just south of the Amberley RAAF Base).

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