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Barbagallo applauds Willowbank Raceway ahead of Tin-Top titles |
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
After a bumpy Sydney campaign in February, third placed in the ANDRA Pro Stock
Championship rankings John Barbagallo of Queensland is looking forward to
heading to Willowbank Raceway for the Tin Top Titles and the first ever
appearance of 16 car fields in both the Pro Stock and Top Doorslammer
categories.
Although not one to usually miss out on a qualifying berth in the standard top
eight format, Pro Stock veteran Barbagallo applauded Willowbank Raceway’s
decision to thank the competitors who choose to participate in events by further
promoting the sport and giving more entries an opportunity to qualify.
“Willowbank has done a great job - I think it is the best idea,” said
Barbagallo, when asked his thoughts on the new format.
“Willowbank is
the only track that will come back to the racers and say ‘thanks for coming, and
we are going to thank you and promote you by going out on a limb and making a 16
car field for your category'.
“Although I am normally in the top eight
and so this doesn’t usually apply to me - for the guys who have some trouble
qualifying or are unsure of getting into the top eight, they often choose not to
turn up or in particular for interstate events will not travel as they might not
make it into the field and it is therefore not worth the expense for them.
“It is a great thing for the spectators with more value for their money
and it is a great thing for the racers as it gives our categories a chance to
grow and for the drivers to be further promoted.
“To be honest I think
it is probably the best thing that a promoter has done for group one drag racing
in a long time.”
Currently third in the Pro Stock championship rankings
behind fellow Queenslanders, Bundaberg brothers Aaron and Tyronne Tremayne,
Barbagallo has some particular goals in mind for April’s event – mainly go
quick, qualify and hopefully, win.
“We have been going well this season
with a win in Sydney in December, but in February unfortunately we weren’t able
to repeat that success at Sydney as engine problems saw us miss out on the bump
spot by just hundredths of a second,” said Barbagallo.
“We have since
fixed the engine in the JB Automotive/Joe Gibbs Lubricants/Automatic Shop Ford
Escort ZX2 and have lots of spare parts, so we are hoping to go quick with some
good results at Willowbank in the past including some Nationals wins over the
years there.
“We will be at the track testing the week before to ensure
our set-up is on the money so we can work towards our goal for the weekend – run
the quickest ET and Top Speed, and peg some points back from the Tremayne
brothers.
“I think at this point the championship lead is lost – the
real opportunity was at the last round and we unfortunately faltered, but I
would like to challenge for second and a win at the Tin Tops would be a great
way to make sure that I am still in the race come the Castrol EDGE
Winternationals in June.”
For the first time ever in Australia, a 16 car
Top Doorslammer Field and for only the second time ever in Australia a 16 Car
Pro Stock field will be hitting the track at Willowbank Raceway for the 2008 Tin
Top Titles.
In a usual event, fans would see eight competitors line up
against each other for the first round eliminations, but at the Tin Tops they
will get to see the top 16 competitors in two of Australian Drag Racing’s
powerhouse Group One categories duke it out for the win – effectively giving
them twice the amount of racing than ever before.
This will be the first
time ever that Top Doorslammer has had such a large competitive field, and will
be only the second time for the Pro Stock category in Australia and the first
time for Queenslanders to see so many Pro Stockers up against each other.
The April program will feature the penultimate round of Group One
activity in Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock categories as drivers enjoy one final
hit out prior to the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals at Willowbank
Raceway on June 5-8.
Four wheels and a roof to boot will be standard for
most entries in this quarter mile extravaganza, which brings together many
traditional drag racing categories coupled with a selection of unique race cars
that enjoy cult following among their loyal fans.
TIN TOP TITLES
(April 18 & 19) – Round of the 2008 Itel Community Telco Track Championship
featuring Jack Daniel’s Top Doorslammer and Travelaire Tours Pro Stock
Other racing includes: Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Super Stock,
Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, S&S Competition Bike, Carpenter
Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, American Rides
Modified Bike, Slick Industries Super Sedan, Crossroads Freightlines & Car
Carrying Super Street, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, High Impact
Promotions Super Gas, Perfect Print Perfect Light. Also racing are Sport Compact
& Pro Street brackets.
TICKETING: All ticket prices include
paddock admission
Friday
Adults $20
Student (must
show ID) $10
Ladies FREE ENTRY Friday Night
Saturday
Adults $30
Student (must show ID) $20
Children 13 & under
are admitted FREE
SCHEDULE
Friday: Gates Open 3pm;
Qualifying from 4pm; Feature Qualifying from 6pm
Saturday: Gates Open 9am;
Qualifying from 10am; Feature Racing from 4pm
LOCATION
Willowbank Raceway
Champions Way (off Cunningham Highway 5km past the
Rosewood turnoff)
Willowbank QLD 4307
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