The power of forty two thousand horses will be hitting Queensland’s premier drag racing facility on March 25 and 26, when six flame-throwing, 7000hp Top Fuel dragsters head to Willowbank Raceway for the Top Fuel Championships.
The Top Fuel class is the pinnacle of professional drag racing in Australia and will be joined by fellow ANDRA Pro Series brackets Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle for the two-day event, which forms part of the ANDRA Pro Series championship chase.
Leading on the points table currently is Victorian privateer Darren Morgan, followed closely by young gun Andrew Cowin.
When the pair last set foot at Willowbank Raceway earlier this year for the New Year Series, they were separated by just ten points, however Morgan has since been able to extend that margin to 74 points courtesy of a win at the last round in Perth where Cowin had an unfortunate first round loss.
“It is great to be leading the championship and hopefully we can clinch it, it would be great for the team and it would be my first as a team owner which would be pretty special,” said Morgan.
“Having said that, we aren’t worrying about it too much, its one ‘lap’ at a time isn’t it, every one you win moves you that bit closer to the championship which could be very exciting.
“In Perth, the car was running really well although we had a problem with the parachutes which made stopping interesting, but we were able to power through for the win.
“We haven’t got the budget of some of the other teams, so we are just doing our best to get the results, and when it comes to the Top Fuel Championships we will be going for broke, going as quick as the track will allow us to go so we can shoot for the win.”
While a lackluster Perth round saw Cowin out in the first round, it has done no harm to his spirits heading into the Top Fuel Championships, with the thirty one year old former NHRA racer promising to try and ‘hit it out of the park.’
“My dad and I, we are just trying to run the best we possibly can, as quick as we can, as fast as we can, and if we can claim a championship or a race win or a record along the way, that will be a bonus for us,” said Cowin.
“What we are trying to do, what we are really focused on, is hitting one out of the park, so I am just trying to be in that mind set of being pushed, as when you are being pushed it brings out the best in you I think.
“These Australian tracks, especially Queensland, have so much traction that there is so much we can get away with, and I think everyone is going to be stepping it up, that is certainly what we will be trying to do!”
“It is great to be racing back home, its true what they say, there is no place like home, and I am really happy with how our first year back has gone so far.
“The last few races the weather has played a factor and influenced our set up, and we have also been chasing issues with the car, but hopefully with the weather starting to cool and our issues sorted, we can run quicker and hopefully chalk up some more points, and maybe a new personal best.”
Top Fuel will be joined on track at Willowbank Raceway’s Top Fuel Championships by fellow ANDRA Pro Series racers Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle, alongside a wide variety of sportsman racers.
Tickets for the Top Fuel Championships are available now through www.willowbankraceway.com.au and start at just $35 for adults per day, with students with ID gaining a discounted entry. Children 13 and under gain free entry to the event, which will kick off on Friday March 25 at 4.00pm with qualifying, including ANDRA Pro Series qualifying at 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm. Saturday March 26 will see the on-track action get underway from 11.00am, with ANDRA Pro Series racing from 5.00pm and finals for all categories including the Pro racers from 8.30pm (all times approximate and subject to change)
While March is full of action, April also has its own fun to offer, with the all-new Queensland Auto Spectacular to be held at Willowbank Raceway on Sunday April 10.
Willowbank Raceway’s official website – www.willowbankraceway.com.au – is the place to go for more information on ticketing and upcoming events, including the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals.
The Queen’s Birthday long weekend event will take place across Friday June 10 – Monday June 13. Featuring all of the ANDRA Pro Series brackets as well as the Rocket All Stars Racing Series making their final fights for their championships, fans are guaranteed non-stop action.
For more information and calendar dates please visit
www.willowbankraceway.com.au
UPCOMING EVENT INFORMATION: TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Racing from:
Feature brackets: Top Fuel, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle
Racing also from: Lifestyle Floor Coverings Competition, Lifestyle Floor Coverings Super Stock, Super Compact, Competition Bike, All Star Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas.
Ticketing: tickets available online at www.willowbankraceway.com.au or at the gate:
General Admission:
Adult Admission – Friday March 25 2011 – $35.00
Student/Concession Admission – Friday March 25 2011 – $25.00
Adult Admission – Saturday March 26 2011- $35.00
Student/Concession Admission – Saturday March 26 2011 – $25.00
Adrenalin Club – includes Admission – limited seating:
Adrenalin club – Friday March 25 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Friday March 25 2011 – $30.00
Adrenalin Club – Saturday March 26 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Saturday March 26 2011 – $30.00
Reserved Grandstand seating – does not include admission:
Startline Club Seat – Friday March 25 2011- $16.00
Startline Club Seat – Satudray March 26 2011 – $16.00
Schedule:
Timings are approximate only and subject to change – be sure to check www.willowbankraceway.com.au for schedule updates closer to the event.
Friday March 25, 2011
On track action from 4.00pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 9.00pm
Saturday March 26, 2011
On track action from 11.00am
ANDRA Pro Series Racing from 5.00pm, 7.00pm and finals for all brackets including ANDRA Pro Series from 8.30pm
