The first day of the largest drag racing event held outside of North America kicked off with the first round of qualifying for Group Two ahead of the on-track arrival of Group One tomorrow.
A field of 74 professional entrants across six Group One brackets will be vying for spots in the finals - including the Australian record Hogs Breath Top Fuel category, with 12 of the 7000 plus horsepower machines looking for just eight spots available positions.
While the categories of Crossroads Freightlines & Car Carrying Superstreet, American Rides Modified Bike, Hi Impact Promotions Super Gas, Bailey’s Brake & Clutch Modified, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, S & S Competition Bike, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Superstock, Slick Industries Super Sedan and Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws supplied the fans with plenty to see on-track, the local Riverlink Shopping Centre provided something different for the fans in the evening.
Fifteen Group One stars were in attendance at a special driver appearance, meeting the fans and signing autographs, posing for photos and answering questions while drawing plenty of attention with the Top Fuel car of local competitor Steve Read on display.
Phil Lamattina, Brett and Kath Stevens, Darren Morgan, Callum Godeassi, Aaron and Tyrone Tremayne, Athol Williams, Steve Reed of Top Alcohol fame, Ipswich’s Steve Read, Peter Cochrane, Steve Packman, Troy McLean, Phil Read and Neil Gilbertson were all in attendance.
Tomorrow’s racing action will see all of those drivers along with their fellow Group One competitors hit the track with their high-powered machines for round one of qualifying for Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle, Jack Daniel’s Top Doorslammer, Hogs Breath Café Top Fuel, Castrol EDGE Top Alcohol and Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, plus more action from the group two and three categories from 8.00am.
With championships in many of the categories set to be decided at the Queensland hit-out, emotions are set to run high with thrilling passes guaranteed for spectators.
Fans and crew members at this year’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals will also have the opportunity to test drive the new-and-improved Willowbank Raceway website –www.willowbank-raceway.com.au– before it officially launches on July 1, with a fully operational marquee available for fans to hop online and have a look around what will be the new home of all their local drag racing action.
2008 CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS – JUNE 5-8, 2008
Racing Includes: Hogs Breath Top Fuel, Castrol EDGE Top Alcohol, Jack Daniels Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Super Stock, S&S Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Slick Industries Super Sedan, Crossroads Freightlines & Car Carrying Super Street, American Rides Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, High Impact Promotions Super Gas, Perfect Print Perfect Light
Schedule
Friday
Gates Open at 6am;
Qualifying from 8am - Group 2, 3, & 4;
Feature Qualifying from 5pm - Group One
Saturday
Gates Open at 6am;
Qualifying and Racing from 8am - Group 2, 3 & 4;
Feature Qualifying from 11.30am - Group One
Sunday
Gates Open at 6am;
Racing from 8am - Group 2, 3 & 4;
Opening Ceremonies 11.30am
Feature Racing from 12noon - Group One
Seating and Admission Prices
General Admission (includes Pit Access)
Adults
Thursday - $20
Friday - $42
Saturday - $48
Sunday - $48
Three Day Pass - $130
Students with ID
Thursday - $20
Friday - $32
Saturday - $38
Sunday - $38
Three Day Pass - $100
Ch! ildren 13 and Under are FREE but need to pay for reserved seating if required
Reserved Seating Prices
- Travelaire Tours Startline Club - $28 per seat, covers Saturday and Sunday
- Reserved Grandstand Seating - $20 per seat, covers Saturday and Sunday
- Seat reserved for 2 days only (Saturday & Sunday). Seating price covers both days.
- Admission passes are required to access reserved seating and can be purchased separately or with seating
- Children admitted Free to the paddock but need to pay for reserved seating
- All mail within Australia will be posted by registered mail. Postage fee is $3
- Ticket booking Terms & Conditions can be found by visiting http://www.willowbank-raceway.com.au/policy%20document%20tickets.htm
WILLOWBANK RACEWAY MAJOR EVENT CALENDAR 2008 / 2009 SEASON
2008 SEPTEMBER – 26 / 27 – SPRING TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIPS
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Alcohol – Pro Stock – Top Bike PLUS Rocket Allstar Racing Series Round – Group 2,3,4
2009 JANUARY - 2 / 3 – INTERNATIONAL NIGHFIRE NEW YEAR SERIES - ROUND ONE
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Alcohol - Top Doorslammer – Pro Stock Motorcycle - PLUS USA vs AUST Nitro Funny Car
2009 JANUARY - 16 / 17 – INTERNATIONAL NIGHTFIRE NEW YEAR SERIES - ROUND TWO
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Bike - PLUS USA vs AUST Nitro Funny Car
2009 APRIL – 17 / 18 – 2009 TIN TOP TITLES
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Doorslammer – Pro Stock – Pro Stock Motorcycle
2009 JUNE - 5 - 8 CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Alcohol – Top Doorslammer – Top Bike – Pro Stock – Pro Stock Motorcycle – PLUS Rocket Allstar Racing Series Round – Group 2,3,4
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