AUS: Willowbank National Open preview

National Open Gives Queenslanders More Track Time Some of Queensland's finest drag racers will be out to consolidate their positions in all group two and three brackets of racing during Willowbank Raceway's National Open featuring iTEL Community ...

National Open Gives Queenslanders More Track Time

Some of Queensland's finest drag racers will be out to consolidate their positions in all group two and three brackets of racing during Willowbank Raceway's National Open featuring iTEL Community Telco Supercharged Outlaws on May 15.

The event will mark the final hit-out for drivers before they compete in Australia's biggest drag racing feature, the Willowbank Winternationals on June 11-13.

With close to 150 entries in total there's bound to be some stiff competition in all nine brackets as individuals search for a psychological advantage.

"The National Open will be an exceptional showcase of what Queensland drag racing is all about and with the Supercharged Outlaws bracket featured it'll give spectators a chance to see these unique power-charged machines perform in near ideal drag racing conditions," said Willowbank Raceway General Manager Harry Rowsell.

"As we've previously stated in the lead up to the Winternationals we can expect to see some blistering times recorded as the cooler weather approaches and the same can be said for these classes of drag racers on May 15.

"Who knows even before the Winternationals comes around the existing track records in the National Open brackets could be bettered."

Super Street honours are bound to be hotly contested among the huge 32-driver field while SuperComp, Modified, Super Sedan and Junior Dragster will all boast fields of up to 20 entries.

"Since the upgrade of the track surface late last year it's been a progressive approach by drivers to get acquainted with all the new variables at Willowbank Raceway.

"Drivers in the National Open brackets compete regularly here and are sure to thrive as the onset of the colder Autumn months approaches.

"Pro Stock competitor Denis Whiting is also taking advantage of the National Open to do some fine tuning as he strives to collect the Winternationals spoils by upstaging current leader and fellow Queenslander Tony Wedlock."

Meantime momentum continues to grow towards a record breaking Willowbank Winternationals attendance figure with only limited reserved grandstand seating available in the two stands closest to the start line.

The Ipswich City Council is fully committed to motorsport in the region and is an active member of the Carnival of Horsepower promotion that seeks to encourage the general public to attend three major events on the Ipswich sporting calendar.

The Willowbank Raceway Winternationals will be held on June 11-13, the Ipswich Turf Club will host the Ipswich Cup on June 19 while V8 Supercars are featured during the 6th round of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship series at Queensland Raceway on July 2-4.

National Open Featuring iTEL Community Telco Supercharged Outlaws -- May 15

Racing includes
Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl SuperComp, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike, Quarter Motive Modified, Super Sedan, Ian Boettcher Race Parts Super Street, Whales Motorcycle World Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragsters, Morgan & Wacker Screamin' Eagle Harleys

WILLOWBANK WINTERNATIONALS -- JUNE 11-13

Racing Includes
QLD Group Top Fuel, American Auto Parts Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, Queensland Times Pro Stock Motorcycle, Advanced Sheet Metal & Marine Competition, iTEL Community Telco Supercharged Outlaws, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Super Stock, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike. Quarter Motive Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Super Sedan, Ian Boettcher Race Parts Super Street, Whales Motorcycle World Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Morgan & Wacker Screamin' Eagle Harleys, Dragster Australia Super Gas

TICKETING

Adult
General Admission $32
3 day pit admission $95
2 day pit admission $78
1 day pit admission $40

Student (must show ID)
General Admission $18
3 day pit admission $65
2 day pit admission $52
1 day pit admission $26
Children 13 & under are admitted free

Program
Friday 11th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Saturday 12th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Sunday 13th Racing 9.00am with feature racing from 3pm