The Jack Daniel’s Top Doorslammer category received the majority of the world
accolades, kicking off when Hillcrest’s Phillips set the world’s fastest ‘doored
car’ pass with a 249.86mph (402.2746kmh) run, taking just 6.07 seconds to make
it down the quarter-mile in the second qualifier.
Phillips run against
Brendale’s Aaron Lynch was also the fastest Australian side-by-side doored pass
with Lynch running 243.77mph (392.467kmh) to make it down the strip in 6.02
seconds. Phillips pass is the first time a sedan car has breached the 400kmh
mark in Australian Drag Racing, and played its part in seeing the category
classified as officially the quickest Australian Top Doorslammer field.
“The combination of those two runs (Phillips lifted the wheels in his
first Top Doorslammer pass) was just really exciting and (the speed) is
something we have been working towards,” said Phillips.
“The ET record
is what we have our eyes on now and we may have to sacrifice some miles (per
hour) to do it but it is something I want to do…we will have a pretty cruisy
morning with just the one car going through to the finals (Phillips also runs a
Top Alcohol car which did not qualify) and we will just see how we go.”
Not long after Phillips' pass, West Australia’s Judd set the world’s
quickest pass with a 5.90 second run down the strip. Judd’s new Elapsed Time
record followed on from when both he and Ben Bray broke the five second barrier
during the earlier qualifying session, with a 5.94s and 5.92s pass respectively.
At the time, Bray’s time was just two thousandths of a second off the
Australian record, however Judd’s second ‘five’ of the day saw him become the
top qualifier and establish the new Australian Elapsed Time record.
“I
didn’t think we would dive into the 5.90s - we had run a 6.01 but our testing is
done at Perth, which is completely different to Willowbank,” said Judd.
“We love Willowbank because it is a great track, but we have never been
able to master it, until now that is.”
If that wasn’t enough for world
records, by qualifying for the field in Castrol EDGE Top Alcohol, Narangba’s
Stevens clinched yet another one – becoming the first person to win three
professional bracket championships.
Stevens only had to make the field
to take the title, and his newly found 2007/2008 Top Alcohol championship joins
his 2004/2005 Top Bike championship and 2003/2004 Top Doorslammer title.
“I want to say a big thanks to my Brett Stevens Racing crew, family,
friends and fans - they all have put in a massive effort to get me to where I am
today,” said Stevens, “and especially to Monty (Brown) for building us such fast
race cars and bikes – I have now wrapped up the TA championship and National
Funny Car speed record.
“This is in addition to Troy (McLean) already
wrapping up the Top Bike championship and Pete (Cochrane) looking good tomorrow
in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow in our
Doorslammers, Funny Cars, Top Bikes and Pro Bike to show why we are one of the
dominant forces in Australian drag racing today.”
Top Qualifier for the
Top Alcohol category is Lynch with a 5.60 second pass. In the other Group One
professional categories, the top qualifier spot went to Tyronne Tremayne in
Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Peter Cochrane in Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock
Motorcycle, Phil Read in Hog's Breath Top Fuel and Athol Williams in Morgan
& Wacker Top Bike. For full results please visit http://www.willowbank-raceway.com.au/liveresults/winternationals08/index.htm
.
Also on-track today was the newly unveiled Toyota TRD Aurion of
Tony Wedlock. The new-look car was unveiled at a special launch held at
Willowbank Raceway on Friday, with Toyota Motorsports Manager Todd Connolly in
attendance.
Tomorrow’s quarter-mile action starts from 8.00am with Group
One qualifying from 12noon. Sunday will see the racing again beginning early
from 8.00am, with the first round of finals for Group One set for an 11.30am
start.
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
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
Sunday - $48
Three
Day Pass - $130
Students with ID
Sunday - $38
Three Day
Pass - $100
Children 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
|
Garry Phillips does his burnout just
before setting the new world record (Credit - Angus MacMaster)
The time-boards show Phillips'
result for all to see (Credit - Angus MacMaster)
Robin Judd in action on his way to the fastest
ET (Credit - Angus MacMaster)
Judd gives the 'thumbs up' after his run
(Credit - Angus MacMaster)
Brett Stevens on his way to his
third professional bracket championship (Credit - Angus
MacMaster)
Stevens pulls the chute after
qualifying for the Top Alcohol field and the championship (Credit - Angus
MacMaster)
Tony Wedlock's new TRD Aurion was
launched yesterday. (l-r) Wedlock, Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve
Bettes, Toyota Motorsport Manager Todd Connolly and ANDRA's Rob Oberg (Credit -
Angus MacMaster)
|
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