This Saturday approximately 100 racers are expected to take to the track at Willowbank Raceway for the first track championship ‘points-paying’ round of the New Year.
Following the first completed round of the championship in November 2012, championship battles are already heating up with plenty of action guaranteed for racers and fans alike this weekend.
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said it was exciting to see the championship heating up again after the Christmas and New Year break.
“Here at Willowbank Raceway we have hardly stopped with our regular twice-weekly Test n Tune events continuing across most of the holiday season,” said Bettes.
“Even so, it is great to see the return of track championship racing with the first Super Sportsman event of the New Year hitting the track this weekend.”
Taking to the track will be racers from the SuperComp. Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Competition Bike, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas brackets.
Amongst those to keep an eye on are Paul Doeblien (Powercruise Super Sedan), Daniel Sekli (Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Modified Bike), Dale Duffy (Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster) and Simon Isherwood (Super Gas), who are all defending their 2011/2012 Track Champion status in their respective brackets.
Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street Track champion Rob Harrington is also on the charge, however he has made the jump to the Knijff Earthmoving Modified category in a USA-built ‘spitzer’ modified dragster.
“We are already seeing the returning champions fighting hard to defend their titles, and while it is too early to predict any results we are already seeing plenty of commitment from the racers in chasing down the win,” said Bettes.
“Tickets are just $20 with children 13 and under gaining free entry, and we are looking forward to hosting around 100 racers across nine brackets – it is going to be a great day out for both those on and off the track!”
Super Sportsman events at Willowbank Raceway are run in a two-part format.
Part one of the event, featuring competition for Willowbank Raceway Track Championship Points, sees qualifying open at 9am for the Modified, Super Sedan, Super Street, Modified Bike, Junior Dragster and Super Gas brackets, who will run two qualifying sessions each. The SuperComp, Competition Bike, Supercharged Outlaws brackets will also enjoy qualifying sessions at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
Racing for the Modified, Super Sedan, Super Street, Modified Bike, Junior Dragster and Super Gas brackets will be conducted in the normal elimination format from 12 noon to 4.30pm while the SuperComp, Competition Bike, Supercharged Outlaws brackets will commence racing from 5pm with a two round format plus a final.
Also from 5.00pm, part two of the event will kick into gear for the competitors of Modified, Super Sedan, Super Gas and Super Street, who will be combined in a range of brackets based on their qualifying ETs from the morning’s qualifying and split into Quick 32, Mid 32, and Lower 32 brackets. These ET brackets will run on the traditional elimination format. During part two of the event racing will also be conducted for the bike and Junior Dragster brackets with a two round shootout plus final format (pairings drawn randomly by Willowbank Officials) in place.
