Current Porsche Carrera Cup Championship leader – Steve Richards is preparing for an altogether different challenge – he will be taking a Porsche Turbo road car onto the Willowbank Raceway quarter mile drag strip to race against a fully-fledged ANDRA Pro Stock racer at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals (June 10-13).
Richards and his Porsche will take to the track for the Castrol EDGE Speed Challenge, a speed comparison concept pitching the Richards-steered Porsche against Pro Stock racecars, with their ANDRA Pro Series drivers at the helm and an SS Commodore with high-profile racer, Shane Tucker behind the wheel.
The Castrol EDGE Speed Challenge will take place on Sunday at approximately 5.30pm (at the conclusion of ANDRA Pro Series qualifying) before being repeated on Monday following round two of eliminations for the ANDRA Pro Series brackets (approximately 2.15pm).
Richards – an out and out racer at heart – said taking on the quarter-mile drag strip would provide a new challenge for him:
“Drag racing isn’t something I have had the chance to have a go at as yet, so I am pretty excited to be taking on the Willowbank Raceway drag strip, and in a Porsche no less!” Richards said.
“I think it will be pretty cool, the Porsche will surprise a few people with it’s performance, although I expect I will get left in the dust by the Pro Stock drag car, those guys are insanely quick.”
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said the concept was all in the name of providing a different kind of entertainment for spectators at the largest drag racing event held outside of the US.
“We are always striving for new and interesting things to do here at Willowbank Raceway, we like to keep it new and exciting,” said Bettes.
“A Porsche on a drag strip is somewhat unique…especially racing against a professional Pro Stock racer and their high powered machines, so I think the fans will really enjoy the action!”
Steve Richards – who will partner Mark Winterbottom in the Castrol-backed #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon during the Phillip Island and Bathurst V8 Supercar endurance races in 2011 – currently leads the Porsche Carrera Cup Series. He will be on hand at Willowbank Raceway throughout the Castrol EDGE Winternationals for autographs as well as the Speed Challenge.
ABOUT THE CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS:
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza held annually across the Queen’s Birthday weekend and is expected to provide an economic injection of millions of dollars into the South East Queensland region.
Children aged 13 and under are able to gain free admission to the Raceway during the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, and students with ID are able to gain discounted entry. One-day, two-day and full-event passes are all available – for more information, to purchase tickets and for schedules, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility, hosting year-round racing including four ANDRA Pro Series rounds per year including the Castrol EDGE Winternationals. For more information, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
EVENT INFORMATION: CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
Feature racing: Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock, Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle
Also racing from: Lifestyle Floorcoverings Competition, Lifestyle Floorcoverings Super Stock, nsane.net.au Super Compact, Competition Bike, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Neptunes Pool Care Super Gas.
Schedule
(Approximate and subject to change – visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
for updates)
Friday June 10
On-track qualifying action from 9.00am – approximately 7.30pm
Pro Stock Qualifying at 5.00pm
Saturday June 11
On-track action from 8.00am – approximately 8.00pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying from 12.00pm – approximately 5.30pm
Sunday June 12
On-track action from 8.30am – approximately 6.30pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying from 12 noon – approximately 5.30pm
Monday June 13
On-track action from 8.30am – approximately 4.30pm
Opening Ceremonies – 10.30am
ANDRA Pro Series racing at 11.00am, 1.15pm and all finals from 2.45pm
Ticketing – tickets available for purchase from www.willowbankraceway.com.au
NB: General Admission = access to the spectator mound and paddock area
NB: Multi-day passes are available for pre-purchase through the Willowbank Raceway website only, no at-gate purchase of multi-day passes will be available
General Admission Tickets:
One-day passes:
Friday June 10 – Adult General Admission- $20.00
Friday June 10 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $20.00
Saturday June 11 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Saturday June 11 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Sunday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Sunday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Monday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Monday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Two-day General admission pass (available in Saturday/Sunday or Sunday/Monday format):
Adult – $90.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $75.00
Three-day General admission pass, including complimentary Friday General Admission:
Adult – $140.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $110.00
Reserved seating (price DOES NOT include admission), available for Saturday, Sunday and Monday:
Startline Club – $16.00 per day
Grandstand – $12.00 per day
For information on corporate options at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
