When the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series kicks off at Warwick Dragway on Saturday February 20, reigning champion Paul Doeblien will be looking to start his campaign for back-to-back titles in the best possible way.
Doeblien took out the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified Championship as part of the 2015 Series – the first in which he competed every round after being partially involved in previous years – and he says winning the championship is the best motivation there is to do it all again in 2016.
“Last year was a really good year for our team – we had wins at the Willowbank round and also the final round – held at Benaraby. The quality of racing was first class and we had a great season,” said Doeblien, who borrows the Modified dragster he races in the Series from his daughter Nicole Doeblien, a Queensland Drag Racing Championships competitor.
“It was the first time we have competed at every event over the year, and to win the championship has given us the motivation to back that effort up in 2016 – hopefully we can defend the title. We learnt a lot last year as it was the first time for us with our dragster at the Warwick, Roma and Benaraby tracks.
“The competition is fierce in the Modified bracket, but we will be giving it our best on the day, that is for sure.”
For Doeblien, the JP Racing Eighth Mile Series is something special.
“To take out the category was just amazing – I think you would have to win an Eighth Mile Series to really be able to appreciate the rewards that this Series has to offer,” said Doeblien, who thanks supporters Lockyer Engine Reconditioners, Total Cover Painting and Race Car Engineering, as well as Series Organiser John Winterburn and his event crew Sue, Tracey & Gary, Series Sponsor JP Racing and Bracket Sponsor RD Williams Excavator Parts for their support.
“The rewards that John (Winterburn – Series organiser) and his team have arranged for the Series winners would have to be the best in Australia in my opinion – trophies, posters, T-shirts all picture the race cars of the championship on them, and it is a really good feeling to be recognised in that way.
“This Series is just second to none. It is laid-back, it is competitive, and it is about having fun and enjoying your racing.”
When it comes to the upcoming first round of the 2016 outing, Doeblien says that Warwick is something of a bogey track for the team.
“Warwick Dragway unfortunately hasn’t’ always been the kindest to us in the past, I have never won an event there in either (his previously contended) Super Sedan bracket or the Modified bracket,” said Doeblien, who rates Roma as the most challenging track on the Series calendar for himself, following a ‘moment’ last year where he came close to making contact with the wall after overpowering the track.
“However, we will be there giving it our best, and have our fingers crossed! When it comes to drag racing, sometimes a little luck can go a long way at these events, so we will approach it as we always do, do all that we can, and hope for the best.”
The 2016 season will host, for the seventh consecutive year, racing for the FG Loy and Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws, RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified, Ice Slushee Super Sedan, John William Auto Sales Super Street, Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike and Diamond T Products Junior Dragster categories.
For more information on the 2016 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, including information on rules, how to enter and the points system, please visit to www.willowbankraceway.com.au
2016 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series
DATES
ROUND ONE – 20th February 2016 Warwick Dragway – Warwick QLD
ROUND TWO – 23 APRIL 2016 Benaraby Dragway – Benaraby QLD
ROUND THREE – 06 August 2016 Ironbark Raceway – Roma QLD
GRAND FINAL – 24 SEPTEMBER 2016 Willowbank Raceway – Willowbank QLD
SPONSORS
JP Racing – Series Sponsor
FG Loy & Sons – Eighth Mile Outlaws Bracket
RD Williams Excavator Parts – Modified Bracket
Ice Slushee – Super Sedan Bracket
John William Auto Sales – Super Street Bracket
Queensland Nameplate Group – Modified Bike Bracket
Diamond T Products – Junior Dragster Bracket
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