NEWS - ITEM 65

CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS SET TO LAUNCH

Date: 3/6/09

Over 530 racers will descend on Queensland's Willowbank Raceway for the Castrol EDGE Winternationals this weekend (June 4-7).

With 532 entries including the largest ever Junior Dragster field (87 entries), the largest Super Stock field since 1989 (28 entries), 65 Professional competitors, Nitro Funny Cars and match races from V8 Supercar stars Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup aboard their actual Team Vodafone V8 Supercars – the action is set to be intense.

McKern & Assoc. Super Compact is well supported with 13 entries including Dyson, Glassett, Harvey, Jacobsen, Kreis, Lisle, McKern, Rehayem (Rodney), Rehayem (Rocky), Signorelli, Skaramuca, Wedlock & Willshire. In the AA/SC class the race is on to see who'll be the 1st to crack the 6.4sec zone outside of America. Signorelli with a best of 6.52 & Harvey with a 6.54 would have to be the favourites in this race in the lead up to the Fast Fours & Rotaries Jamboree on August 29 & 30.

Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said the four-day event, which kicks off on Thursday June 4 with sportsman action on-track and an official launch event at Riverlink Shopping Centre that evening, would burst with action from start to Sunday afternoon finish.

“This year’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals has it all,” said Bettes.

“With sportsman qualifying Thursday, Sportsman and Professional qualifying plus a exhibition run from the Nitro Funny Cars on Friday and then more qualifying from the Sportsman and Professional racers plus the Nitro Funny Cars, plus the V8 Supercar match race on the Saturday and then the finals on Sunday – there is just non-stop action from start to finish.

“Competitors such as Steve Read who is coming back after an absence will add extra spice to the mix, while each of the categories fight it out for the gold Castrol EDGE Winternationals Christmas Tree and championship glory.”

The four day event is enjoying a new schedule for 2009, with on-track action from 1.00pm to 7.25pm Thursday, 8.00am to 8.25pm Friday with professional qualifying from 5.00pm, 8.00am to 7.50pm Saturday with professional qualifying at 11.30am and 2.00pm, and 8.00am to 4.30pm Sunday – with the professional eliminations kicking off from 12.00pm with the Finals at 4.00pm.

“The new schedule allows us to fit in the maximum amount of entertainment for the fans while not seeing them sitting on the hill late on Sunday waiting to see the finals,” said Bettes.

“I really encourage all the fans to log on to www.willowbankraceway.com.au to check out the NEW schedule and make sure they can time their arrival at the track to catch their favourite racers.”

In celebration of the upcoming festivities Willowbank Raceway will hold the official launch of the event at Ipswich’s Riverlink Shopping Centre on Thursday June 4 from 5.45pm, with the stars of Australia’s professional drag racing categories on-site from 6.30pm to sign autographs, with entertainment, giveaways and the announcement of the Wallace Bishop Jewellers National Photographic Competition also set to take place.

The Castrol EDGE Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway is the largest drag racing event held outside of North America.

The season-ending event will host ANDRA Championship Rounds for all of the Professional categories of Top Fuel, Karcher Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike and Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle while also featuring the Rocket Allstar Racing Series and the South East Queensland Community Telco Track Championship Round for the sportsman brackets.

EVENT INFO: CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
June 4-7, featuring Top Fuel, Karcher Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle
Other racing includes: Lifestyle Floorcoverings Competition, Lifestyle Floorcoverings Super Stock, Custom Central Competition Bike, McKern & Associates Super Compact, Crossroads Freightlines Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Californian Image Modified Bike, Powercruise Powerplay June 20 Super Sedan, Ipswich & District Welding Super Street, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Super Gas

TICKETING: All ticket prices include paddock admission – visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au to purchase tickets
3 Day Adult Admission Pass with Complimentary Thursday Admission (4-7 June) - Pre Purchase Only - $130.00
3 Day Student Admission Pass with Complimentary Thursday Admission - MUST show ID - (4-7 June) - Pre Purchase Only - $107.00
2 Day Reserved Grandstand Seat (Sat and Sun) - Price excludes admission - $20.00
2 Day Startline Club Seat (Sat and Sun) - Price excludes admission - $28.00
Thursday 4th June - Adult Admission Pass - $20.00
Thursday 4th June - Student Admission Pass - MUST show ID - $20.00
Friday 5th June - Adult Admission Pass - $42.00
Friday 5th June - Student Admission Pass - MUST show ID - $35.00
Saturday 6th June - Adult Admission Pass - $48.00
Saturday 6th June - Student Admission Pass - MUST show ID - $40.00
Sunday 7th June - Adult Admission Pass - $48.00
Sunday 7th June - Student Admission Pass - MUST show ID - $40.00

Children 13 and under are FREE

SCHEDULE:
(Subject to change) 

Thursday June 4: Sportsman qualifying from 1.00pm - 6.00pm 

Friday June 5: Qualifying from 8.00am - 8.00pm - Professional Qualifying from 5.00pm, Nitro Funny Cars at 7.00pm
Saturday June 6: Sportsman qualifying and rounds from 8.00am - 7.00pm, Professional Qualifying at 11.30am and 2.00pm. Nitro Funny Car and V8 Supercar match races at 1.20pm and 3.55pm.
Sunday June 7: Racing from 8.00am, Professional Eliminations from 12.00pm, Finals from 4.00pm (estimated finish, 5.00pm)