Chris Matheson and Maurice Allen have their championship hopes pinned on the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals, to be held at Willowbank Raceway across Friday June 10 – Monday June 13.
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza held annually at Willowbank Raceway across the Queen’s Birthday weekend and is the season-finale for the ANDRA Pro Series – the elite professional level of drag racing in Australia – brackets of Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock.
Matheson (Top Bike) and Allen (Pro Stock Bike) were both victorious in the penultimate round of the 10/11 series, held at the weekend, however with almost nothing between them and their nearest championship rivals anything could happen when the two-wheeled machines head to Queensland for the final hit out of the season.
Brisbane’s Matheson is looking for back-to-back championships in the Top Bike category, while Sydney’s Allen will be looking to break through for his first ever title.
“The win at the Nitro Champs means that we have led the Top Bike series points continuously this season, which is what we were able to do last season on our way to our maiden championship,” said Matheson.
“It is a great feeling to have that consistency, and hopefully we can carry that through to claim the title at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals!
“We are certainly aware of the challenge poised by Troy Mclean and the rest of the field though, so we will certainly be on guard and giving it our all on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, to make sure Nitro Voodoo Racing secures back to back honours.”
Allen said it would be a tough battle fought on the grounds of Willowbank Raceway as the reigning Champion Andrew Badcock battles with him for the title, something Badcock is particularly interested in claiming after announcing his retirement from the sport following the June 10-13 event.
“To be leading the Pro Stock Motorcycle points chase heading into the season finale with a handy 56 point lead is a pretty cool feeling,” said Allen.
“At the same time, it’s a nervous feeling, as the Castrol EDGE Winternationals is one of those events where anything can and does happen, and we have the reigning Champ breathing down our neck, trying to snatch away the title!”
