Morgan and comeback kid Cowin to lead Top Fuel charge at Willowbank

In just three weeks the fire-throwing Top Fuelers will head to Willowbank Raceway for round one of the New Year Series on January 2 and 3, and leading the charge will be comeback kid Andrew Cowin and likeable larrikin Darren Morgan.

When Top Fuel joins Top Alcohol at Willowbank Raceway for round three of the ANDRA Championship it will be the first time in a long time that Cowin has taken to the Ipswich track, and with his comeback season already off to a fantastic start all eyes will be on the Sydneysider who secured his Top Fuel license at just 17.

In 1999 Cowin became the world’s quickest and fastest teenager at the time, and the youngest US Nationals finalist in history at age 19, going on to appear in multiple NHRA finals.

After a hiatus from drag racing, the Cowin family of Andrew and his father Graeme are making a full-on assault on Top Fuel this season and after a shock first round loss at the opening round, went on to take the event win in October.

“We tested before the start of the season and ran a 4.59 second time which was great, and then with the event win in October we moved up to second in the points, and we hope to keep progressing forward,” said Cowin.

“Top Fuel racing in Australia is the toughest it has ever been at the moment, the level of competition and the cars is massive and you have got to be on your game.

“I find the first few rounds aren’t that nerve wracking but when you come to the final, that is when you are like a Meerkat with your ears popped up, everyone has stayed around to watch the final two cars of the event and the pressure is on.

“We are really looking forward to getting up to Willowbank Raceway for the New Year Series, the fans are the best, the place is full of really good people, the weather is normally really good and the track is stellar.

“The last time I raced there was in 2002 and I ran the first ‘4.7’ second pass, and it was the first ever 500 kilometre per hour Top Fuel run as well and my first ever win.

“To top it off, my win came from beating Jim Read in the final which was great, so I am certainly looking forward to heading back to Willowbank.”

Where Cowin faltered at the Nationals, Victorian Morgan shined, taking the event win. That result, combined with his October semi-final appearance, sees him positioned on the top of the points table heading into the New Year.

“We had the best possible start to the season in September with the Nationals win, and then in October for round two we went to the semi-finals for a close run with Terry Sainty, who went on to claim runner-up for that event,” said Morgan.

“All in all, its been a strong start and we now sit at the top of the championship heading to Willowbank, which is always a nice place to be!

“Willowbank always produces great racing and I am looking forward to heading there for the New Year Series and hopefully we can celebrate the New Year with another win and some great entertainment for the fans!”

The two-round New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway will take place on January 2/3 (Round One) and January 14/15 (Round Two), 2011.

ANDRA Pro Series brackets Top Fuel and Top Alcohol will take to the Ipswich quarter-mile over January 2 and 3, before Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock are joined by the fire-throwing Nitro Funny Cars on January 14 and 15.

For more information and tickets, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au

Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility and hosts four major drag racing events each year – the two-round New Year Series in January, the Australian Top Fuel Championships in March and the Castrol EDGE Winternationals in June. The Queen’s Birthday event is the largest drag racing event outside of the US and is the season finale for the ANDRA Pro Series calendar.

Event Information: New Year Series

Round One – Sunday January 2 and Monday January 3, 2011

Racing from:
Feature brackets: Top Fuel and Top Alcohol
Racing also from: Super Comp, Competition Bike, Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster, Super Gas.

Ticketing: tickets available online at www.willowbankraceway.com.au or at the gate:
General Admission:
Adult Admission – Sunday January 2nd 2011 – $35.00
StudenT/Concession Admission – Sunday January 2nd 2011 – $25.00
Adult Admission – Monday January 3rd 2011 – $35.00
Student/Concession Admission – Monday January 3rd 2011 – $25.00

Adrenalin Club – includes Admission – holds 215 people only:
Adrenalin club – Sunday January 2nd 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Sunday January 2nd 2011 – $30.00
Adrenalin Club – Monday January 3rd 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Monday January 3rd 2011 – $30.00

Reserved Grandstand seating – does not include admission:
Startline Club Seat – Sunday January 2nd 2011 – $16.00
Startline Club Seat – Monday January 3rd 2011 – $16.00

Schedule:
Timings are approximate only and subject to change – be sure to check www.willowbankraceway.com.au for schedule updates closer to the event.
-Sunday January 2, 2011 – on track action from 2.00pm – 10.00pm (Main Show Qualifying 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 9.00pm)
-Monday January 3, 2011 – on track action from 12.00pm – 9.30pm (Main Show Racing from 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm)