When Ipswich racer Simon Stevens heads to Willowbank Raceway this weekend for round two of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series (26 April) he does so with a target on his back by virtue of his defending champion status.
The 38 year old Stevens is a two time JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series champion, most recently taking out the title in 2013.
With one round of the 2014 Series under his belt the electrician is currently second in the championship points as he heads to his home track Willowbank Raceway for this weekend’s event.
“I have been a part of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series each year since it was started, it is a fantastic Series that takes us to tracks we wouldn’t otherwise visit,” said Stevens, rider of the number 3338 Honda CBR 1000RR.
“As an eighth mile event it also presents quite a challenge for racers, while also providing a fun event environment which is always great for racers and spectators alike.”
While there might be a focus on fun at these events, Stevens expects the competition at Willowbank Raceway this weekend to be fierce.
“Willowbank Raceway always represents a tough round in the Eighth Mile Series due to the level of competition with a lot of championship riders attending this event,” said Stevens, who is supported by Ipswich Industrial Electrics, Ultimate Motorbikes Ipswich, Speedy’s Motorcycles and BST Towing.
“As far as I go, I will just go out there and run my own race and chase down some more points to keep my chase alive – if I can make the final that would be an awesome bonus not just for me but also for my supporters – without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I love.
“I also want to thank John Winterburn and the guys at JP Racing for making this Series a reality – it is great to see that it is continuing to grow.”
Stevens will be just one of an estimated 100 racers on-track at Willowbank Raceway this Saturday, with the Queensland Nameplate Modified Bike bracket to be joined by racers for the FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Eighth Mile Outlaws, RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified, Ice Slushee Super Sedan, Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike, John William Auto Sales Super Street and Diamond T Products Junior Dragster brackets as well as the Kenda Tires Drag Radial Showdown.
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