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AUS: Willowbank prepares for Winternationals
Cold Weather Makes For Hot Times At Willowbank Winternationals With less than 50 days to go before Australia's biggest drag racing event, the Winternationals is featured at Ipswich's Willowbank Raceway, the mild chill creeping ...
Edited: May 4, 2004, 2:34 AM
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Cold Weather Makes For Hot Times At Willowbank Winternationals
With less than 50 days to go before Australia's biggest drag racing event, the Winternationals is featured at Ipswich's Willowbank Raceway, the mild chill creeping throughout Queensland has already shown what impact it may have on existing Track and Australian records come June 11-13.
As host of the two biggest drag racing events in Australia it's no wonder many of the current Australian records have been achieved on Willowbank's quarter mile strip.
But as Steve Stanic proved by setting a new speed mark in the Top Doorslammer bracket during last weekend's Tin Top Titles, it's bound to be an event of endless possibilities during the Winternationals.
"Here we have a guy who was beaten by eventual Tin Tops champion Ben Bray during the semi-final but was still able to register a new speed record of 239.62 mile per hour (385.63kmh) which is a truly remarkable feat," said Raceway General Manager Harry Rowsell.
"It will be the first time we have hosted the Winternationals since the million dollar upgrade of the track surface late last year, which was made possible through the support of the Queensland Government.
"For months we've been talking up what may lay ahead once all variables became complementary to drag racing and as we approach the Winter months Steve's impressive feat has put paid to those suggestions.
"Ironically it was Ben and Victor Bray who fought out last year's Winternationals Top Doorslammer final and they again went head-to-head during the recent Tin Top Titles.
"It appears as though they've have hit their straps in the direct lead up to the Winternatonals and are sure to want to secure the premier title of the Australian drag racing season.
"But that can't detract from what Brett Stevens may be able muster for the final event, especially after dominating the bracket for the entire year and all but securing the title with a semi-final berth last weekend."
Preparations are well advanced for the Winternationals spectacular as fans continue to keep officials busy with a steady flow of bookings for reserved grandstand seating.
With only the National Open, featuring Queensland's Supercharged Outlaws on May 15 and the Winternationals remaining on the Willowbank Raceway calendar, Rowsell is encouraging potential patrons to get in early as the tempo picks up towards a record breaking attendance figure for 2004.
"It really has been a year of steady growth for Willowbank Raceway with most events achieving increased attendance figures.
"Already we are probably further down the track with sales of grandstand seating than we have been in previous years and it's all pointing to more record breaking achievements both on and off the track.
"As we've pointed out there are only a handful of corporate facilities still available in the new Sky Marquee which seats up to ten people."
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.
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
-www.willowbank-raceway.com.au
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