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Queensland’S Big Month Of Drag Racing |
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Friday, 10 August 2007 |
Queensland drag racing fans can expect a feast of firsts when the Shannon’s Nostalgia Nationals and Castrol EDGE Jamboree, serve as the major preliminaries towards Willowbank Raceway’s 42nd Australian Nationals on September 14-16.
Drivers of some of the fastest and quickest wonders of drag racing’s bygone era will be out to reclaim glory on the quarter mile strip, during the third annual Shannon’s Nostalgia Nationals on August 19.
It’s only recently been confirmed that Perth’s Steve McGuinness,
owner/driver of the fastest front engine dragster in Australia, will be
bringing his old-style six second dragster to compete at the Nationals
and will go head to head against five other nostalgia racers during the
inaugural Six Second Challenge.
As impressive as the old school machines are, there’s been a continual
push to have their performance match their time wearied, good looks and
that’s encouraged owner/drivers from all over Australia to attend this
year’s event.
Among those counting on breaking into the elusive six second barrier is
Dave Armstrong from Sydney with his FED plus the Junkyard Dog Racing
Team which will run two cars, their altered and a new Mustang funny car
out of Brisbane.
Peter Leahy of the Gold Coast has rebuilt and repainted his own blown
FED, while Rob Provan will be waving the flag for the supercharged
sedans in his ’55 Chevy.
The old meets the new in the space of a week when competitors in the
Castrol EDGE Fast Fours Jamboree muscle up for their annual Queensland
quarter mile expedition on August 25/26.
Headlining the program is the 2005 American NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) winning Sport Compact Championship vehicle.
The RJ Race Cars built Toyota Celica of Gary Goodman and Joe Signorelli
(Gas Motorsport) is the first Pro Rear Wheel Drive vehicle to run into
the 6.40 second range.
Purchased in immaculate condition, less the engine, the Celica will
receive a Gas Motorsport built 2JZ engine and will be aiming for mid
six-second passes once it’s sorted and ready to run.
The Castrol EDGE Jamboree plays host to the fifth and final round of
the 2006/2007 Sport Compact Group Drag Racing Series with $25,000 in
Championship Prize Money up for grabs.
Of course all events serve as major preliminaries towards the 42nd
running of Australia’s oldest running drag racing event, the Australian
Nationals on September 14-16.
The annual Australian Nationals kicks off a new season for Queensland
drag racing and was secured to the State in 2002 with the support of
Queensland Events Corporation under its Major Events portfolio.
Such support has allowed Willowbank Raceway to maintain its reputation as one of the premier tracks in Australia.
Willowbank officials will use the 42nd Australian Nationals as an
appropriate springboard towards a revamped 10-month program of drag
racing events.
While it may be considered the off-season so far as Australian drag
racing is concerned, Willowbank Raceway will continue to be a hive of
activity leading into the start of the 42nd Australian Nationals on
September 14-16.
The Nationals will be preceded by the Fast Four Jamboree on August
25/26, while the Nostalgia drag racing Nationals is also booked in for
August 19.
42nd AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS – SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2007
Racing Includes: Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top
Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Competition, Super Stock, Competition Bike,
Supercharged Outlaws, Modified, Super Sedan, Super Street, Modified
Bike, Junior Dragster, Super Gas
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