BEN BRAY TO MAKE COMEBACK THIS EASTER
26 March 2015
Local drag racing legend Ben Bray will make his comeback to the drag strip this Easter Saturday (April 4) as part of the Santo’s Super 3 Extreme Drag Race Event, presented by Uplift Cranes and Titan Cranes.
The 31 year old made headlines in June of 2014 when his Nissan Altima race car hit the safety wall of Willowbank Raceway, rolled, and came to stop on its roof.
The three-time ANDRA national champion sustained back and rib injuries and was fitted with a full body brace for three months, making his first trip to a drag strip in November of 2014 to watch his father – six-time ANDRA champion Victor Bray – compete at the season-ending Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway.
Easter’s Santo’s Super 3 Extreme Drag Race Event will be the first time Bray has competed since the incident, with private testing set to be scheduled for the racer in preparation for his return to active competition.
While his return is hotly anticipated, Bray is cautious about making any big calls as far as performance.
“I am really excited to be getting back on the track after so long out of the driver’s seat,” said Ben Bray.
“The Easter event at Willowbank Raceway is a great event and was the site of my world record breaking passes in the Altima in 2013 (fastest and quickest ‘doored’ four cylinder car of the time), it is my home track, and while it is also where I had my incident, it is my home away from home.
“This Easter is all about taking baby steps, getting back in the car, getting my ‘eye in’ as they say, and just getting back into the sport I love.
“The Pro Mod class which I am competing in is set to be a really great event, and I am just pleased to have the chance to get back on track and make my return.”
Bray will take to the track in his father Victor’s ’57 Chev Doorslammer, as his brand new car is still undergoing preparation work.
“I was hoping to be able to debut my brand new 1979 Corvette Stingray at the same time that I made my way back to the track, but it isn’t quite ready yet, so I have stolen Dad’s car!” laughed Ben Bray.
“I really want to thank everyone in the drag racing industry from the fans to my fellow racers and the officials for their support, and I look forward to seeing everyone out at Willowbank this Easter.”
The Santo’s Super 3 Extreme Drag Race Event will be a one-day Easter Saturday spectacular with the quickest and fastest racers in the country set to headline an action-packed four and a half hour ‘short and sharp’ show. The professional Top Fuel and Top Alcohol racers will be leading the way down the Raceway at more than 500km/h while the newly introduced Pro Mod class will pit a wide range of blown, turbo, nitrous-powered and naturally-aspirated machines against each other in a battle for a $6000 prize purse. Also taking to the track will be the popular Factory Xtreme and Pro Street brackets, as well as fixed index brackets Super 6 and Super 7 in heads-up, first to the end wins racing that is sure to deliver plenty of non-stop action. Tickets are available online now at just $35 for adults and $30 for students with ID and Concession Card Holders, while children aged 13 and under gain free admission. Please click here for further event information.
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility, located 45 minutes from Brisbane or just a short drive from Ipswich, offering a year-round program of events for the entire family. For more information including a full event calendar, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au