|
Willowbank raceway sets the future course for an expanded 2008 & 2009 Winternationals |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 26 November 2007 |
Willowbank Raceway’s Management Committee voted recently to assure the
future of their biggest event – the Castrol EGE Winternationals - by
expanding the Event program for 2008 and 2009.
Currently held as a Queen’s Birthday weekend three day event
(Friday – Sunday), the 2008 program will see it expand to incorporate
an extra half-day of proceedings on the Thursday afternoon, while the
2009 program will see the event held over four days Friday – Monday.
The Winternationals event has been under review by the Willowbank
Raceway Management Committee for the past 18 months as management have
sought to revamp the flagship event, which is the largest drag racing
event held outside of the USA.
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said safety,
spectator and official comfort, tight time schedules and growing
numbers of competitors had all been critical factors in the review of
the raceway’s largest event.
“The decision to expand the program of the Castrol EDGE
Winternationals will allow Willowbank Raceway to ensure that the
largest drag racing event held outside of the US continues to offer
exciting performances to its fans while ensuring the best and safest
conditions continue to be provided for competitors and officials
alike,” said Bettes.
“I expect that the racers of Australia will be delighted with the
decision as will spectators, with an extra day of thrills on the cards
come 2009.”
Willowbank Raceway’s long-serving President John Winterburn echoed
these sentiments, with almost four decades of involvement with the
sport of Drag Racing in Australia convincing him this was the crucial
next step in the continued development of Willowbank Raceway and the
Winternationals event.
“I have been involved with drag racing for nearly 40 years, and
over that time I have seen the sport, the facility of Willowbank
Raceway and the Castrol EDGE Winternationals grow from small beginnings
to the successful enterprise that it is today,” said Winterburn.
“Looking over that growth period, this is the logical next step in
ensuring that this event, the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, remains as
the beacon that it is in Australian drag racing, and continues to
provide spectators, officials and competitors with a world-class event
and world-class action.”
Castrol’s Sponsorship and PR Manager Sue Dilger said that the
expansion of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals program would further add
to what is already an outstanding event.
"All of us here at Castrol are excited about the expansion of the
Castrol EDGE Winternationals program in 2008 and 2009," said Castrol
Sponsorship and PR Manager Sue Dilger.
"Extending the program will encourage further spectator involvement
and give them even more drag racing 'bang for their buck' at Willowbank
Raceway, while allowing for even further growth of what is already a
stand-out event on the Australian Drag Racing calendar."
Willowbank Raceway is located in Ipswich, approximately 30 – 45
minutes west of Brisbane, Queensland. Offering a year-round program of
drag racing entertainment for the whole family, the raceway holds four
major events annually with a variety of features including Top Fuel,
Top Doorslammer, Supercharged Outlaws, Pro Stock vehicles, Top Fuel
Motorcyles, Pro Stock Bikes and the Funny Car and Dragster excitement
of Top Alcohol.
|
News