Fans of two-wheeled machines will have plenty to cheer for at Willowbank Raceway’s Top Fuel Championships on March 25 and 26, with 20 percent of the entry list provided by four bike categories, led by ANDRA Pro Series brackets Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The nitro burning Top Bikes and highly-developed naturally aspirated Pro Stock Motorcycles will both be competing for the elite level of drag racing championships, the ANDRA Pro Series at Queensland’s premier drag strip.
Meanwhile, competitors from the Modified Bike and Competition Bike categories will be racing for points towards the Rocket All Stars Racing Series, while everyone will be out for event glory.
Leading the way in Top Bike currently is Queenslander Chris Matheson, who burst onto the scene during the 2009/2010 season to secure the title in his maiden season, and is on the right track to secure two from two so far this season despite an untimely mechanical issue at Perth’s round three last weekend.
“The championship is very close, as it was at one stage at a similar time last season with a narrow margin of ten points,” said Matheson.
“Unfortunately after being very excited about racing at Perth and having strong beginnings, after our first race win we sustained significant engine damage which meant we were unable to face Mark Drew in the semi final.
“We are confident of continuing a good showing in the remaining rounds, despite the mechanical issue in Perth our record this season is very promising, with low elapsed time, top mile per hour and the top qualifier spot achieved at each of the three rounds contested so far, and an event win and runner-up.
“Heading to Willowbank our focus will be to win, it is so critical that we ‘go rounds’ and get those bonus points for low ET and top mile per hour to keep us on top – the championship is extremely exciting at the moment with a number of tough competitors running consistently, so it will all be about continuing our proven performance at the Top Fuel Champs.”
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, the action is on for young and old with Maurice Allen currently leading the field ahead of former champs Phil Howard, Michael Gilbertson and Peter Cochrane, with reigning champ Andrew Badcock chasing from fifth position but still in contention.
“We are getting towards the half way point of the season, and now it’s a matter of remaining consistent, trying to put those consistent runs back to back, get through qualifying and hopefully be there at the final,” said the 41 year old.
“Willowbank is a track where we have got a lot of experience, we have made some improvements to the bike and got pretty close to where we want it to be now.
“Willowbank is generally a fast track for the whole bracket, so I am assuming everyone will be stepping up a bit and the performance levels will be well pushed, and our game plan is to remain consistent and just see it through to the end.”
The Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories will be joined by fellow ANDRA Pro Series racers Top Fuel across the two-day March event, alongside a wide variety of sportsman racers.
Tickets for the Top Fuel Championships are available now through www.willowbankraceway.com.au, and start at just $35 for adults per day, with students with ID gaining a discounted entry. Children 13 and under gain free entry to the event, which will kick off on Friday March 25 at 4.00pm with qualifying, including ANDRA Pro Series qualifying at 5.00pm, 7.00pm and 9.00pm. Saturday March 26 will see the on-track action get underway from 11.00am, with ANDRA Pro Series racing from 5.00pm and finals for all categories including the Pro racers from 8.30pm (all times approximate and subject to change)
While March will be full of action, April also has its own fun to offer, with the all-new Queensland Auto Spectacular to be held at Willowbank Raceway on Sunday April 10.
Willowbank Raceway’s official website – www.willowbankraceway.com.au – is the place to go for more information on ticketing and upcoming events, including the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals.
The Queen’s Birthday long weekend event will take place across Friday June 10 – Monday June 13. Featuring all of the ANDRA Pro Series brackets as well as the Rocket All Stars Racing Series making their final fights for their championships, fans are guaranteed non-stop action.
For more information and calendar dates please visit
www.willowbankraceway.com.au
UPCOMING EVENT INFORMATION: TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Racing from:
Feature brackets: Top Fuel, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle
Racing also from: Lifestyle Floor Coverings Competition, Lifestyle Floor Coverings Super Stock, Super Compact, Competition Bike, All Star Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas.
Ticketing: tickets available online at www.willowbankraceway.com.au or at the gate:
General Admission:
Adult Admission – Friday March 25 2011 – $35.00
Student/Concession Admission – Friday March 25 2011 – $25.00
Adult Admission – Saturday March 26 2011- $35.00
Student/Concession Admission – Saturday March 26 2011 – $25.00
Adrenalin Club – includes Admission – limited seating:
Adrenalin club – Friday March 25 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Friday March 25 2011 – $30.00
Adrenalin Club – Saturday March 26 2011 – $75.00
Adrenalin club – Saturday March 26 2011 – $30.00
Reserved Grandstand seating – does not include admission:
Startline Club Seat – Friday March 25 2011- $16.00
Startline Club Seat – Satudray March 26 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.
Friday March 25, 2011
On track action from 4.00pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 9.00pm
Saturday March 26, 2011
On track action from 11.00am
ANDRA Pro Series Racing from 5.00pm, 7.00pm and finals for all brackets including ANDRA Pro Series from 8.30pm
