More than 200 nostalgia vehicles are expected to descend on Willowbank Raceway in just over four weeks for round one of the 2013 Cruzin Magazine Nostalgia Drags Series (23 February). When they do, one racer in particular will most likely be feeling more nostalgic than most.
The Gold Coast’s Peter Leahy – the son of drag racing legend and nostalgia enthusiast, the late Roly Leahy – recently returned from a trip to the US with his brother Greg where they viewed his father’s revered race car in the NHRA museum before taking it out to the race track.
Peter Leahy
The brothers hope to complete a 200 mile per hour pass in the machine using their father’s old race number and plan to bring the car back home once they do so to attempt the same milestone on Australian soil.
While for now the magic number is yet to be broken, Leahy said the US trip had provided some extra inspiration for his own racing efforts.
“I know it sounds corny, but we are just trying to follow dad’s dream and part of that was to hit that 200 marker,” said Leahy.
“While we haven’t hit it yet, it was still so special to watch Greg at the wheel after seeing the car in the museum. It is just so inspiring and humbling to be reminded that dad’s legacy is so honoured by so many people both here in Australia and in the US.
“Now that we are back home and not set to go back for another US attempt until later in the year, I am turning my thoughts back to my own racing – starting with the Cruzin Magazine Nostalgia Drags event at Willowbank in February.
“At the same time though, I know I am definitely feeling a little more inspired following our trip – hopefully that follows through to some inspired results come race day,” laughed Leahy.
The Cruzin Magazine Nostalgia Drags at Willowbank Raceway will kick off with qualifying at 9.00am on Saturday 23 February 2013 ahead of racing from 4.00pm. Adult tickets are just $25.00 (less for students with ID) and children 13 and under gain free entry.
Featuring not only exciting racing from a range of Nostalgia classes, the event also offers off-track entertainment including the popular Shannons Insurance Show and Shine.
Open to all modern, classic, vintage, street machine and hot rod vehicles, the Shannons Insurance Show and Shine features a number of ‘Judged’ Trophies for Best GM, Best Ford, Best Mopar, Best Hot Rod, Best USA Vehicle and Best Australian Vehicle, and is open to all interested event attendees – see www.willowbankraceway.com.au for full information.
Event Information: Cruzin Magazine Nostalgia Drags – Saturday 23 February 2013
Featuring racing from Winters Smash Repairs Top Eliminator (6.60),Western Suburbs Differential and Gearbox Services Quick Eliminator (7.60), Donnely Blasting Services – Mid Eliminator(8.60), Shannons Insurance Super Eliminator (9.60), Autobarn – Vintage Gas(10.50 and slower), World Classic Muscle Cars – Nostalgia DYO, Retro Bikes and Nostalgia Super Stock.
All brackets will run the Chicago Shootout format with all entrants racing three rounds and the best performing two racers making it into the final. For full information on the racing format please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Tickets
• Adults – $25.00
• Students with ID – $20.00
• Children 13 and under gain free entry
Schedule:
• Gates open – 6.00am
• Qualifying – from 9.00am
• Racing – from 4.00pm
images: Dragphotos
