Willowbank Warms To Springtime Fare

[SpoolMan]

Springtime in Ipswich is set to mark the official start of the Queensland drag racing calendar when Willowbank Raceway opens its gates to host the
41st Australian Nationals on September 15-17.

And what a start it will be when all six ANDRA Group One professional brackets are featured in the country's longest running and most prestigious
annual drag racing event.

Anticipation reigns as Australia's best competitors look to go quicker and faster in a full blown exhibition of high speed thrills, played out over the quarter mile in front of a capacity crowd at Queensland's home of drag
racing.

One driver fully welcoming the blossom of a new season is Brisbane's Aaron Lynch who is still riding high after recording a slice of International
motor racing history earlier this year.

The Top Doorslammer driver recorded Willowbank Raceway's first sub-six second pass for the category in April (5.97 seconds) and along the way mastered the World's fastest tin top sedan pass, reaching a phenomenal
245.77 mile per hour speed increment.

"It was great to finally have everything go right with the car and the perfect condition of the Willowbank surface ensured we were able to go as fast as possible at various times last season, including the Tin Top Titles where we beat Victor's (Bray) long standing speed record," confirmed Lynch.

"We are continually testing new things at the track and the entire crew involved with the B+L Steel Top Doorslammer is confident we can go even
better this coming season.

"Just like us, I'm sure there are quite a few drivers disappointed after failing to make the field at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals and this will be an awesome opportunity to show off the gains we've made since breaking
the record.

"We've got the first round of the new season in Sydney before tackling Willowbank during the Australian Nationals and as always it'd be great to
put on a good show in front of our Queensland fans."

While there is still more than six weeks to go before the start of the Australian Nationals, Ipswich will get into the drag racing spirit this
Saturday morning from 10am.

Lynch will be showing off his World beating B+L Steel Top Doorslammer during the final weekend of Ipswich Art Gallery's Driving Passion: the colours of
motorsport exhibition.

The Gallery's forecourt will be abuzz with family fun and activity in a defining celebration of the City's strong motorsports heritage.

"From all accounts the exhibition has been going great guns and with Willowbank Raceway as a proud supporter of such a unique concept we're only
too happy to help promote the upcoming Nationals.

"Drag racing cars and bikes are a real head turner and our high powered Top Doorslammer already has the runs on the board as a capable quarter mile
racing machine.

"I'm looking forward to chatting with the fans and spreading the message of what will be a blockbuster weekend during the Australian Nationals on
September 15-17."

The 41st Australian Nationals marks the start of another big season for
Queensland's home of drag racing

Three days of festivities with plenty of on and off-track entertainment assures the entire family a great weekend trackside at Willowbank Raceway.

The annual Australian Nationals was secured to Queensland in 2002 with the support of Queensland Events Corporation under its Major Events portfolio.

Such support has allowed Willowbank Raceway to maintain its reputation as
one of the premier tracks in Australia.

Willowbank officials are again using the 41st Australian Nationals as an appropriate springboard towards a revamped 10-month program of drag racing
events.

41st AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS

Racing Includes: Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Jack Daniels Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, QT Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Super Stock, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Super Sedan, Torque's Cheap Performance & Wholesale Cars Super Street, Wolf Racing Power Products Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Powercruise Streetcar Shootout #3 Super Gas, Morgan & Wacker Screamin' Eagle
Harleys, Perfect Print Light of the Night

TICKETING: All ticket prices now include paddock admission

Adult

Friday Pass $35

Saturday or Sunday pass $40

3 day pass $100


Student (must show ID)

Friday Pass $20

Saturday or Sunday pass $25

3 day pass $70


Children 13 & under are admitted free

PROGRAM
Friday 15th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Saturday 16th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Sunday 17th Racing 9am with feature racing from 3pm

LOCATION Willowbank Raceway Champions Way (off Cunningham Highway 5km past the Rosewood turnoff)
Willowbank QLD 4307

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