On Sunday 23 February, the Hot Rod bracket of Willowbank Raceway’s Nostalgia Drag Racing event will play host to no less than three ‘Carpenters.’
Hot Rod winner for the 2006 Nostalgia Nationals Grant Carpenter will be joined on-track for the first Willowbank Raceway nostalgia event of 2014 by brother Lee Carpenter and nephew Jason Carpenter – with all three taking part in the recently re-introduced bracket designed especially for pre 1949 hot rods.
The 34 year old Grant Carpenter, an electrician from Carrara, will be taking to the track aboard his candy apple blue 1928 Ford Roaster which boasts a 308 Holden motor and is well-known in drag racing circles for its multiple nostalgia victories.
“When people ask me how I got into this sport it is a really long story but essentially it all boils down to family. My dad Max Carpenter and my mum Yvonne Carpenter introduced me to this sport thanks to their long involvement and since then everything else is history,” said Grant Carpenter, who lists his most memorable racing moment as claiming his 2006 nostalgia nationals win with his dad – who held the B/HR class national record for 24 years in a 6 cylinder Holden 23 T bucket hotrod – trackside.
“Today not only does dad – at the age of 85 no less – still build hot rods in the shed with me and enjoy the occasional pass in his own 1934 Chevy Coupe, but my brother Lee and my nephew Jason also regularly race alongside me at Willowbank Raceway for the Nostalgia events.
“At the end of the day there isn’t anything better than racing with your family – and to be able to do it in these amazing hot rods at a laid-back and friendly event like the Nostalgia Drags is just a great feeling.”
Forty-nine year old Lee Carpenter of Banora Point, brother of Grant, will be fielding a 1934 Chevy Tourer in the Hot Rod bracket.
“The February Nostalgia event at Willowbank Raceway will be just the second time this car has been on-track after debuting at last year’s Willowbank Nostalgia Nationals in August where it took the runner-up spot,” said Lee Carpenter.
“I am very much looking forward to taking to the track with Grant and Jason – while Jason might be our nephew we like to think of ourselves more as brothers, and while I may not get out to the track as often as I would like, whenever there is a nostalgia meeting we all try and make it a family outing.
“Nostalgia racing is just great and for our family as lovers of all things ‘hot rod’ it is the perfect event for us.”
Representing the third generation of Carpenters on Sunday 23 February will be Mudgeeraba’s Jason Carpenter at the wheel of his 1934 Chevy Pick-up.
“Willowbank Raceway’s Nostalgia events are the highlight of my racing calendar, and the fact that I can go there and share our family’s passion of nostalgia racing and hot rods in a great well-run event just makes it even better,” said the 40 year old Jason Carpenter, who has raced at Willowbank Raceway for 23 years in the Super Street class and Nostalgia events.
“What can be better than celebrating hot rods and enjoying a bit of competitive yet friendly family banter out on the race track – I love racing with them but they can be assured I will be looking to be the highest achieving Carpenter on the day!” laughed Jason, who was runner-up at last year’s February Nostalgia event held at Willowbank Raceway.
Joining the Carpenters and their Hot Rod compatriots on track come 23 February will be racers across the Top Eliminator, Quick Eliminator, Gas, Vintage Gas, US Muscle, Aussie Muscle, Retro Bikes and Nostalgia Super Stock categories, with all the action set to kick off with qualifying from 9.00am and racing from 1.00pm. Spectator tickets are available at the gate for $25 for adults and $20 for students with ID, while children aged 13 and under gain free entry. For full event information, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
EVENT INFORMATION: NOSTALGIA DRAG RACING AT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY: 23 FEBRUARY 2014
Racing from Top Eliminator, Quick Eliminator, Gas, Hot Rod, Vintage Gas, US Muscle, Aussie Muscle, Retro Bikes and Nostalgia Super Stock categories
Schedule:
Gates open 6.00am
Qualifying from 9.00am
Racing from 1.00pm
Tickets:
Adults – $25.00
Students with ID – $20.00
Children 13 and under gain free entry
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