O’Rourke Motorsport is ready and rearing to go for the biggest show in Australian drag racing – the City of Ipswich Winternationals – following the completion of final preparations.
The Willowbank Raceway event is the finale of the inaugural 400 Thunder drag racing season and will be held across Thursday June 9 to Sunday June 12.
Grant O’Rourke will compete in the Pro Slammer category which will feature 17 racers competing for a 16-car field – including the Slammer godfather, Victor Bray, who will return to the track after a year away.
“The team has been exceptionally busy leading up to the Winternationals. This event is the ‘one to win’ for drag racers it’s like the Bathurst 1000 in V8Supercars, so no one leaves a stone unturned in their preparation and we are no different,” said O’Rourke.
“This event is the end of the 400 Thunder season, and as such there is plenty of interest not only on the event win, but also on who will take out the top championship spots.
“Most of that interest is concentrated on second place currently, as Mark Belleri and I are separated by just three points (428 and 431 respectively) in that battle. Whoever goes further this weekend will take out the second spot on the rankings.
“With more than 400 entries hitting the track, it is sure to be a big event. It will be especially great to see Victor Bray coming back to the category after some time away, and bringing his long-time crew chief David (Sully) Sullivan with him.
“Victor raced non-stop for thirty plus years so it will be like riding a push bike for him – he may have been out of the seat for a while but when Sully fires that ‘57 Chev up Victor will be there, ready to do the biggest crowd-pleasing burn-outs and race to win.
“I can’t wait to line-up against him and all of the 17-strong Pro Slammer field this weekend, it is sure to be a great event.”
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