Twenty seven year old carpenter Warrick Baczynski may only be a quarter-mile rookie, but that isn’t stopping him mixing it with the top end of town as part of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series which will hit his home-track of Benaraby Raceway this weekend (Saturday 2 August).
With two rounds left to run in the 2014 championship, Warrick is currently second on the points ladder for the new-for-2014 FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws bracket – just two points behind veteran racer Rodney Hansen.
“This is only my first year of racing so I have no expectations of winning or even placing, I just like going down the track and my focus is on getting down the track,” said Warrick, who also competes in the Competition and Supercharged Outlaws brackets outside of the Eighth Mile Series.
“Rodney is at performing so well at the moment, he is on the top of his game, so I don’t think I have a chance of winning the title this year, but to be in the mix at the top of the field is great.”
The second generation racer was introduced to the sport by his dad Peter, and soon signed up to race alongside him and his ‘Gin Gin Bandit’ in his own 1977 RA28 Toyota Celica powered by a 400 cubic inch race block in the Eighth Mile Outlaw bracket of the popular eighth mile drag racing series.
“Dad and I built the car and to be able to take it out on the track and race it is a pretty great feeling,” said Warrick.
“At times we have to race up against each other and when that happens you just have to treat it the same as if you were racing anyone else, he is a good competitor and when we aren’t facing off for the win it is good to have his experience to call upon.
“I have to thank him and also John Payne for all of their knowledge and help from the very start that allows me to go racing.”
The FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws bracket was introduced to the Series for the first time this year and brings together supercharged, nitrous and turbo powered cars into one fierce competition.
“The new bracket is really great in my opinion, bringing together a great mix of cars and providing an incentive for racers to really indulge in their racing passion,” said Warrick.
“Fast cars are good, but blown cars are a whole different ball game!”
Warrick will be just one of an estimated 100 racers on-track at Benaraby Raceway come 2 August, with the FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws bracket to be joined on-track by racers for the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified, Ice Slushee Super Sedan, John William Auto Sales Super Street brackets Diamond T Products Junior Dragster and Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike brackets.
The third and penultimate round of the 2014 Series follows on from the season opener held at Warrick Dragway during February and round two at Willowbank Raceway, with the racing set to also travel to Roma (final round – 27 September) before the year is through.
Entries are available on the day and spectator tickets will be available for purchase at the gate at $20.00 for adults and $18.00 for students with ID. Children aged 13 and under gain free admission. Gates open at 7.00am with time trials from 10.00am to 3.00pm and racing from 4.00pm.
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
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