Just outside Ipswich in South-East Queensland, the first soil was turned in 1982 for what would become Willowbank Raceway. Forty years on, the pioneers who helped build it and the racers who continue the drag racing tradition today came together for a special race meet — a celebration and reflection on how far the venue has come.
From memorabilia displaying the history of the venue, static car shows with some iconic drag racing machines – past and present, to honouring those who where there when the journey started all those years ago, a great day was had.
In the immortal words of Dennis Syrmis way in in 1985, “I see no need for the relatively small group of workers and organisers who have contributed to the construction of Willowbank to be the slightest bit humble about their achievements. In the space of just over three years, we have turned 37 hectares of virgin Aussie bush into a magnificent sporting facility, incorporating a host of brand new concepts and ideas that some of the so-called `doubters’ would be incapable of even dreaming of, let alone bringing to reality.”
To celebrate the day there was also some racing, with all-in bracket each for cars and bikes. Tim Morton drove to victory in the final over Matthew Barron in the cars while on two wheels Aaveen Autar rode to the win against a red lighting Jordan Brace, both racers crowned Willowbank’s 40-Year Champions.
Check out a gallery from the day courtesy of Drag Photos.
