Beaudesert’s Ian Ham – winner of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series in the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified Bracket – will kick off a final year of racing ahead of an extended overseas jaunt at this weekend’s 2014 Series opener at Warwick Dragway.
The 62 year old Ham’s fondness for the Series is no secret and was only enhanced when he took out the 2013 title by just three points. Now, he has just one more year of racing ahead before he and wife Joanne embark on a year of overseas travel, with the race car to be left at home.
“I really love this series and that is why through my company RD Williams Excavator Parts I continue to support it as well as compete in it – it brings racing to the regional tracks and it has a great atmosphere for both racers and spectators alike,” said Ham, whose racing is sponsored by not only RD Williams Excavator Parts but also by his son’s race outfit TSP Racing and his engineering supplier BMI Engineering.
“To take the title win in 2013 was a real honour and while it was a shame that it came amid a rained out finale in Benaraby, as they say ‘that is racing’ and I was still pleased to be at the top of the points when it came down to it.
“As far as whether or not I can do it again in 2014 – I am currently committed to all of the rounds on the calendar and with overseas travel calling for me and my wife in 2015 I guess there is a little more inspiration there than usual to give it my best shot.
“Having said that, my son Steve (Top Alcohol competitor Steven Ham) is set to race in all rounds of the ANDRA Top Alcohol national championship this year (the elite level of drag racing in Australia) and the Alcohol car has to come first. So far we have it worked out so we can do both, so I am hopeful of making a good showing this year and you never know, maybe I can nab the 2014 title before we head off overseas!”
Helping make this wish a reality will be not only Ham’s wife Joanne but also valued crew members Rodney Hansen and Jason Page.
“I really have to thank my wife Joanne for her never-ending support of my racing and also Rodney and Jason who do so much to keep me on the track,” said Ham.
“In 2014 we will be carrying over the same approach, team members and car set-up as we had for 2013 – it certainly worked back then so we just want to abide by the old ‘keep it simple’ principal which I think at my age is a pretty good one to go with!”
The 2014 Series will represent the fifth year for the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, with Ham saying the Series is going from strength to strength.
“I think the Series has definitely gotten stronger over the years, Stomper (Series organiser John Winterburn) and his team do a fantastic job of putting it together and more and more racers are turning up at each round which is great to see,” said Ham.
“As far as the spectators go, once they come and see one of these rounds in action they feel the atmosphere and see the action and they are hooked – we only have to get them here once and they become regular visitors which is great for everyone involved including the regional tracks.”
Ham and the rest of the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified bracket will be joined on track by the FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws, Ice Slushee Super Sedan, Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike, Super Street and Junior Dragster categories.
Kicking off at Warwick Dragway on 8 February, the series will then head to Willowbank Raceway on 26 April for round two. Benaraby Raceway will then host round three on 1 August before the final round gets going at Ironbark Raceway on 27 September 2014.
For more information on the 2014 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, including information on rules, how to enter and the points system, please visit to www.willowbankraceway.com.au
2014 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series
Calendar:
Round One – 8 February, 2013: Warwick Dragway, Warwick QLD
Round Two – 26 April, 2013: Willowbank Raceway, Willowbank QLD
Round Three – 2 August, 2013: Benaraby Raceway, Gladstone QLD
Final Round – 27 September, 2013: Ironbark Raceway, Roma QLD
Racing brackets:
FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws – new bracket for 2014
RD Williams Excavator Parts MODIFIED BRACKET
Ice Slushee SUPER SEDAN BRACKET
Queensland Nameplate Group MODIFIED BIKE BRACKET
SUPER STREET BRACKET
JUNIOR DRAGSTER BRACKET
Image by blacktrack.com.au
{fcomment}
