Willowbank Raceway has announced the replacement event for the lost New Year’s Thunder – the 400 Thunder championship event slated for January – due to COVID-19 restrictions. In its place will be the “New Year’s Shootout”, the venue’s statement on the event reads below:
Willowbank Raceway hits COVID for a six with the match race to end all match races.
COVID may have forced us to cancel our 400 Thunder Championship round in January, but the Willowbank Board and CEO wanted to bounce back with something out of the box, the Match Race from Hell we are calling the New Year Shootout.
This event is to show our fans that nothing can keep us down and we will continue to push the boundaries of the sport into the future.
With Top Fuel, Pro Alcohol, Top Bike and a Pro Slammer vs Pro Mod match races all coming together from across the East Coast to put on a show at the New Year Shootout at Willowbank Raceway on the 9th of January 2021. This event will highlight the very best of our championship professional brackets.
To kick off, we have Phil Read and Peter Xiberras headlining the show in their 10,000 horsepower, 300 MPH Nitro burning flame throwing Top Fuel Dragsters. Both teams looking to show the fans who is the best and earn the title of New Year Shootout Champ.
Backing up this match race, is a quality field of Australia’s best Pro Alcohol cars, battling each other in a grudge race to see who deserves the title of the New Year Shootout Alcohol Champ. Gary Phillips and Steven Reed, one and two in the National Championship take on Queensland’s best alcohol racers to see who deserves to wear the crown.
Steven Ham and Ben Bray headline a smaller but quality field of Pro Slammers who are keen to put the upstart Pro Mod racers in their place. We call it Door Wars, but you can call it some of the best sedan racing on the planet with all racers keen to show who is best after a lengthy lay off. Door Wars will highlight another high-quality field to see who has the fastest turbo or blower car in Queensland.
Chris Matheson and John Zara are set to battle each other and both racers are looking to set Willowbank Raceway alight with their flame throwing Top Bike weapons. These low six second machines are a worthy addition to the quality racers on show.
Supported by a quality field of sportsman racers, with a number of current National Champions, these racers are also vying for a win, and the title of New Year Shootout Champ.
This is one event not to miss, match racing madness returns to Queensland and this truly is an event that will be something that you cannot miss.
What a way for Willowbank to kick off the 2021 season not only for racers but with also the fans with such a professional line up and match race glory up for grabs.
Get your tickets early because with this line up, you can bet they will sell out fast – just like the action on track. Remember, spectator numbers are strictly limited so get in early. Because we can’t wait.
Stay tuned for more information which will be available shortly. willowbankraceway.com.au
