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Records tumble at Australian Nationals |
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Friday, 14 September 2007 |
Australia’s fastest ever side-by-side Top Fuel drag racing pass was the
perfect way to open qualifying for this weekend’s 42nd Australian
Nationals at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway.
Perth’s Martin Stamatis left nothing to chance as he and Phil
Lamattina combined to showcase a 328 mph (529km/h) to 316mph (508km)
flame throwing highlight to fill first and third positions on the
timesheets of Redcliffe Dyno and Performance Top Fuel.
The appreciative crowd was further greeted with a scintillating 4.61
second pass turned in by reigning Australian champion Phil Read who
made it a one/two for Sydney’s Jim Read Racing outfit, after Stamatis’
effort slotted him on top with a 4.59 second pass.
Lamattina was just as impressive locking in a 4.66 second effort
straight off the trailer, which was enough for he and Stamatis to also
secure the second quickest (elapsed time over the quarter mile)
side-by-side Top Fuel pass recorded in Australia.
Drag racing fans are in for a ‘Super Saturday’ of 42nd Australian
Nationals action tomorrow as three elite Group One qualifying sessions
headline the Willowbank Raceway day two program.
Overnight results suggest the action will be coming thick and fast
as a professional racer list of 65 competitors get set to contest all
six headline brackets as an appropriate showcase of the best Australian
drag racing talent.
Tomorrow’s qualifying triple treat will provide the opportunity for
many of the proven big-hitters to shoot for top-notch times in order to
qualify among the eight car/bike finals fields for Sunday’s finals
program.
Queensland Events Top Doorslammer contains numerous established
stars of the sport plus many newcomers who are progressively making
their mark.
Tonight it was the World heavyweights standing tall led by the
youngest driver in the field, two-time Australian champion Ben Bray,
who snared a provisional top qualifying time of 6.03 seconds.
Bray was on a mission after a non-qualifying effort in Sydney a
fortnight ago and was able to marginally upstage the season opening
event winner, John Zappia who claimed a 6.06 second pass.
Queensland Events Top Alcohol saw the best Funny Car and Dragster drivers add to the action packed drag racing entertainment.
With the promise of big numbers being achieved in this category
over the next two days, it was Brisbane’s multiple Group One competitor
Brett Stevens leading the way with a 5.62 second performance.
The Travelaire Tours Pro Stock ranks are again full of impressive
looking machinery in season 2007/08 and the opening night spoils
belonged to John Barbagallo in the perfect start to his Nationals
campaign.
Two wheeled quarter mile duels were just as impressive with Stevens
showing his class by securing top honours in Morgan and Wacker Top Bike
with a 6.67 second pass while Melbourne’s Callam Godeassi also enjoyed
early front-running in Morgan and Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The annual Australian Nationals, which again features all six Group
One professional categories, kicks off a new season for Queensland drag
racing having been 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.
42nd AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS – SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2007
Racing Includes: Redcliffe Dyno and Performance Top Fuel,
Queensland Events Top Alcohol, Queensland Events Top Doorslammer,
Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan and Wacker Top Bike, Morgan and
Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets and Vinyl Competition,
Lifestyle Carpets and Vinyl Super Stock, Willowbank Raceway Competition
Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey’s Brake and Clutch
Modified, Slick Industries Super Sedan, Cros Roads Freightliners and
Car Carrying Super Street, American Rides Modified Bike, Queensland
Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, High Impact Promotions Super Gas,
Perfect Print Perfect Light
TICKETING
Adult
Saturday Admission $45
Sunday Admission $45
Student (must show ID)
Saturday Admission $35
Sunday Admission $35
Children 13 & under are admitted free
Program
Saturday 9th Qualifying 9am -8pm
Sunday 10th Racing 9am with feature racing from 2pm
Internet sites www.willowbank-raceway.com.au
Ticketing and General Information:
Contact – Willowbank Raceway
07 5461 5461
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