FAMILY FUN JUST THE TICKET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

25 November 2010

Families looking for holiday fun need look no further than Willowbank Raceway this January, with two big events set to hit the Ipswich drag strip in the New Year.

With tickets available for purchase now through www.willowbankraceway.com.au and children 13 and under gaining free entry, the New Year Series could also be your ticket to that perfect Christmas present you have been looking for.

Queensland’s premier drag racing facility will host the two-round New Year Series across January 2nd & 3rd, and January 14th & 15th, with top tier drag racing set to keep the whole family entertained.

Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said it was an experience not to be missed.

“Drag racing is just one of those sports where you have to be there to really experience the sights, the sounds, the smells, the whole experience,” said Bettes.

“The sport has something for everyone, and with a whole range of classes hitting the track over the two rounds plus free entry for children 13 and under and lots to see off the track at both events – the family is sure to be entertained.”

Round One kicks off on January 2nd and 3rd, hosting the Top Fuel Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars and Dragsters, before Round Two on January 14th and 15th will see the fire-throwing continue with Nitro Funny Cars joined by Top Doorslammers and Pro Stock racers.

With Champions such as Phil Read, Phil Lamattina and Gary Phillips, as well as Darren Morgan, Terry Sainty, Aaron Hambridge and Steve and Debbie Reed, the Top Fuel and Top Alcohol action on January 2 and 3 is set to be electric.

“Top Fuel racing is the ultimate fire-throwing, ear-splitting, rock and roll four second ride down the quarter mile,” said Bettes.

“To see them in action is really something special, no matter what your age or your interest in motorsport, you just can’t help but be blown away by these 7000 horsepower machines.”

The ever-popular methanol-burning Top Alcohol Funny Cars and Dragsters are also sure to provide some great racing action for the fans.

“Top Alcohol is a category that is always guaranteed to produce some exciting racing, some tightly-fought battles and some amazing race craft,” said Bettes.

Drag racing isn’t just about the racing machines however, with the men and women sitting in the driver’s seat providing a draw card themselves.

“The drivers of our sport are fantastic - they are down to earth, they are committed, and they have all the time in the world for the fans,” said Bettes.

“The wonderful thing about drag racing is that access to the pit area is included in your event ticket, and you can stand by and watch the crews working on these high-powered machines just a few feet away.

“If you keep an eye out, you are more than likely to see your favourite driver and have the chance to ask him for an autograph or have a chat, there aren’t many sports that have this kind of access available to the fans, and its something we are very proud of.”

Switch to Round two of the New Year Series on January 14 and 15 and there is another kind of edge of your seat racing to be had – Nitro Funny Car racing.

Like Top Fuel, these racers light up the ‘candles’ big time as they leave the start line and thunder down the quarter mile in excess of 500 kilometers per hour in less than five seconds.

Unlike Top Fuel, these cars run the Funny Car (sedan-style) configuration, and as a non-championship category, chances to see these guys light it up are something to be taken advantage of.

“Every time we have the Nitro Funny Cars here at Willowbank Raceway the action they deliver is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Bettes.

“The racers in this category are determined to make every run count, and are continually knocking down records and setting new benchmarks every time they get on track for an event.”

Joining the Nitro Funny Cars at Willowbank in January will be Top Doorslammer as well as a 16-car field of Pro Stock, and the growing category of Pro FX.

In Top Doorslammer, these 5000 horsepower machines always deliver a wild ride as their pilots attempt to man handle them from the start line to the end of the quarter mile.

The ANDRA Pro Series category of Pro Stock has been growing immensely in the past few years with large entry fields and falling records now the norm.

With many in the bracket now on the precipice of breaking into the magic ‘six second’ pass range, fans would be well advised to keep an eye on the racers in January for a piece of history.

For more information on the New Year Series and Willowbank Raceway, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au. Tickets for the New Year Series start from just $35 per day, with Students with ID receiving a discount and children 13 and under gaining free entry with a paying adult.

Event Information: New Year Series

Round One – Sunday January 2 and Monday January 3, 2011

Racing from:
Feature brackets: Top Fuel and Top Alcohol
Racing also from: Super Comp, Competition Bike, Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster, Super Gas.

Ticketing: tickets available online at www.willowbankraceway.com.au or at the gate:
General Admission:
Adult Admission - Sunday January 2nd 2011 - $35.00
StudenT/Concession Admission - Sunday January 2nd 2011 - $25.00
Adult Admission - Monday January 3rd 2011 - $35.00
Student/Concession Admission - Monday January 3rd 2011 - $25.00

Adrenalin Club – includes Admission - holds 215 people only:
Adrenalin club - Sunday January 2nd 2011 - $75.00
Adrenalin club - Sunday January 2nd 2011 - $30.00
Adrenalin Club - Monday January 3rd 2011 - $75.00
Adrenalin club - Monday January 3rd 2011 - $30.00

Reserved Grandstand seating - does not include admission:
Startline Club Seat – Sunday January 2nd 2011 - $16.00
Startline Club Seat – Monday January 3rd 2011 - $16.00

Schedule:
Timings are approximate only and subject to change – be sure to check www.willowbankraceway.com.au for schedule updates closer to the event.
-Sunday January 2, 2011 – on track action from 2.00pm – 10.00pm (Main Show Qualifying 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 9.00pm)
-Monday January 3, 2011 – on track action from 12.00pm – 9.30pm (Main Show Racing from 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm)


Round Two: Friday January 14 and Saturday January 15, 2011

Racing from:
Feature racing: Nitro Funny Car, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Pro FX
Racing also from: Competition, Super Stock, Super Compact, Competition Bike, Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster, Super Gas.

Ticketing: tickets available online at www.willowbankraceway.com.au or at the gate
General Admission:
Adult Admission - Friday January 14th 2011 - $35.00
Student/Concession Admission - Friday January 14th 2011 - $25.00
Adult Admission - Saturday January 15th 2011 - $35.00
Student/Concession Admission - Saturday January 15th 2011 - $25.00

Adrenalin Club - includes admission - holds 215 people only:
Adrenalin club - Friday January 14th 2011 - $75.00
Adrenalin club - Children 13 & Under - Friday January 14th 2011 - $30.00
Adrenalin Club - Saturday January 15th 2011 - $75.00
Adrenalin club - Children 13 & Under - Saturday January 15th 2011 - $30.00

Reserved Grandstand seating - does not include admission
Startline Club Seat – Friday January 14 2011 - $16.00
Startline Club Seat – Saturday January 15 2011 - $16.00

Schedule:
Timings are approximate only and subject to change – be sure to check www.willowbankraceway.com.au for schedule updates closer to the event.
-Friday January 14, 2011 – On track action from 12.00pm – 10.00pm (Main Show Qualifying 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 9.00pm)
-Saturday January 15, 2011 – On track action from 12.00pm – 9.30pm (Main Show Racing from 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm)