AUSSIE DRAG RACERS PREPARE FOR CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
Thu, 2008-05-29 09:28
Castrol EDGE Winternationals was launched at Warner Bros. Movieworld on
the Gold Coast today, with the announcement the Willowbank Raceway
Event will host the largest ever Top Fuel field in Australian drag
racing history.
Three generations of the legendary Bray racing family, Brisbane Top Fuel driver Aaron Lynch and Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes joined together at Warner Bros. Movieworld to announce the milestone of 12 Top Fuel entries for the largest drag racing event held outside of North America.
To celebrate, Victor and Ben Bray – who have never before stepped aboard any kind of show-ride – Victor’s 11 year old grandson and Junior Dragster Josh McClennan, Lynch and Bettes took their seats on the Superman Escape – twice voted the Southern Hemisphere’s number one rollercoaster and at 0-100kmh in two seconds, the closest feeling to being at the wheel of one of their racing machines. Castrol EDGE Winternationals was launched at Warner Bros. Movieworld on the Gold Coast today, with the announcement the Willowbank Raceway Event will host the largest ever Top Fuel field in Australian drag racing history.
Three generations of the legendary Bray racing family, Brisbane Top Fuel driver Aaron Lynch and Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes joined together at Warner Bros. Movieworld to announce the milestone of 12 Top Fuel entries for the largest drag racing event held outside of North America.
To celebrate, Victor and Ben Bray – who have never before stepped aboard any kind of show-ride – Victor’s 11 year old grandson and Junior Dragster Josh McClennan, Lynch and Bettes took their seats on the Superman Escape – twice voted the Southern Hemisphere’s number one rollercoaster and at 0-100kmh in two seconds, the closest feeling to being at the wheel of one of their racing machines.
“I am immensely excited to be able to confirm that the 12 Top Fuel entries received for next week’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals is the largest field to ever face an Australian starter – this is a great achievement for our event – which is the largest outside of Northern America and continues to go from strength to strength,” said Bettes.
While Bettes was excited about the achievement, the Brays were slightly nervous while the announcement was made, having never experienced the likes of any kind of side-show ride let alone a high-speed rollercoaster, they were however all smiles afterwards.
“Wow, what an experience - I am used to going fast but I am also used to being the one in control and the one that built the machine to start with, so this is something pretty different for me!" said Ben Bray.
“Today has been a great day, hearing the news that the Castrol EDGE Winternationals are steaming full speed ahead and now coming off that amazing Superman Escape coaster, I just can’t wait to get to Willowbank Raceway in my Castrol EDGE Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol Funny Car!”
Lynch, who will join Ben Bray in the Top Alcohol ranks next weekend whilst also competing in Top Doorslammer and the history-making Top Fuel field, was obviously pleased with the proceedings.
“The Superman Escape is pretty amazing, and with its takeoff, it comes pretty close to being at the wheel of one of our cars, that does the 0 – 100kmh in just under a second, and while the speed isn’t something new for us, the twists and turns are something completely different – we are used to going in a straight line!” laughed Lynch.
“Seriously though, I am excited to be a part of the 12 car Top Fuel field at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, which is the biggest event of the year for the racers and with that many cars the competition is going to be fast and tough – I am really looking forward to it.”
The Top Fuelers make up a dozen of the over 500 entries received for the three and a half day program in total, with over 70 Group One professional entries set to hit the strip.
As the headline act, nothing compares to the sights and sounds produced by these nitro guzzling beasts of the drag strip and with such a massive contingent of 7000-plus horsepower Top Fuelers at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, organisers are counting on hosting plenty of new fans during the Queen’s birthday weekend celebration.
The Top Fuelers will be joined in the Group One ranks by no less than 18 entries in the Jack Daniel’s Top Doorslammer, 15 in Travelaire Tours Pro Stock and 18 two-wheel riders in the Morgan & Wacker Top Bike and Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle categories.
All of the Group One action will be further complimented by a bumper support program of over 430 entrants from Group Two and Three competition including everything from Super Gas to Supercharged Outlaws to Junior Dragster to Street Sedans, including a massive 110 Super Sedans.
With championships in many of the categories set to be decided at the Queensland hit-out, emotions are set to run high with thrilling passes guaranteed for spectators.
Fans and crew members at this year’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals will also have the opportunity to test drive the new-and-improved Willowbank Raceway website –www.willowbank-raceway.com.au – before it officially launches on July 1, with a fully operational marquee available for fans to hop online and have a look around what will be the new home of all their local drag racing action.
Three generations of the legendary Bray racing family, Brisbane Top Fuel driver Aaron Lynch and Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes joined together at Warner Bros. Movieworld to announce the milestone of 12 Top Fuel entries for the largest drag racing event held outside of North America.
To celebrate, Victor and Ben Bray – who have never before stepped aboard any kind of show-ride – Victor’s 11 year old grandson and Junior Dragster Josh McClennan, Lynch and Bettes took their seats on the Superman Escape – twice voted the Southern Hemisphere’s number one rollercoaster and at 0-100kmh in two seconds, the closest feeling to being at the wheel of one of their racing machines. Castrol EDGE Winternationals was launched at Warner Bros. Movieworld on the Gold Coast today, with the announcement the Willowbank Raceway Event will host the largest ever Top Fuel field in Australian drag racing history.
Three generations of the legendary Bray racing family, Brisbane Top Fuel driver Aaron Lynch and Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes joined together at Warner Bros. Movieworld to announce the milestone of 12 Top Fuel entries for the largest drag racing event held outside of North America.
To celebrate, Victor and Ben Bray – who have never before stepped aboard any kind of show-ride – Victor’s 11 year old grandson and Junior Dragster Josh McClennan, Lynch and Bettes took their seats on the Superman Escape – twice voted the Southern Hemisphere’s number one rollercoaster and at 0-100kmh in two seconds, the closest feeling to being at the wheel of one of their racing machines.
“I am immensely excited to be able to confirm that the 12 Top Fuel entries received for next week’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals is the largest field to ever face an Australian starter – this is a great achievement for our event – which is the largest outside of Northern America and continues to go from strength to strength,” said Bettes.
While Bettes was excited about the achievement, the Brays were slightly nervous while the announcement was made, having never experienced the likes of any kind of side-show ride let alone a high-speed rollercoaster, they were however all smiles afterwards.
“Wow, what an experience - I am used to going fast but I am also used to being the one in control and the one that built the machine to start with, so this is something pretty different for me!" said Ben Bray.
“Today has been a great day, hearing the news that the Castrol EDGE Winternationals are steaming full speed ahead and now coming off that amazing Superman Escape coaster, I just can’t wait to get to Willowbank Raceway in my Castrol EDGE Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol Funny Car!”
Lynch, who will join Ben Bray in the Top Alcohol ranks next weekend whilst also competing in Top Doorslammer and the history-making Top Fuel field, was obviously pleased with the proceedings.
“The Superman Escape is pretty amazing, and with its takeoff, it comes pretty close to being at the wheel of one of our cars, that does the 0 – 100kmh in just under a second, and while the speed isn’t something new for us, the twists and turns are something completely different – we are used to going in a straight line!” laughed Lynch.
“Seriously though, I am excited to be a part of the 12 car Top Fuel field at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, which is the biggest event of the year for the racers and with that many cars the competition is going to be fast and tough – I am really looking forward to it.”
The Top Fuelers make up a dozen of the over 500 entries received for the three and a half day program in total, with over 70 Group One professional entries set to hit the strip.
As the headline act, nothing compares to the sights and sounds produced by these nitro guzzling beasts of the drag strip and with such a massive contingent of 7000-plus horsepower Top Fuelers at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, organisers are counting on hosting plenty of new fans during the Queen’s birthday weekend celebration.
The Top Fuelers will be joined in the Group One ranks by no less than 18 entries in the Jack Daniel’s Top Doorslammer, 15 in Travelaire Tours Pro Stock and 18 two-wheel riders in the Morgan & Wacker Top Bike and Morgan & Wacker Pro Stock Motorcycle categories.
All of the Group One action will be further complimented by a bumper support program of over 430 entrants from Group Two and Three competition including everything from Super Gas to Supercharged Outlaws to Junior Dragster to Street Sedans, including a massive 110 Super Sedans.
With championships in many of the categories set to be decided at the Queensland hit-out, emotions are set to run high with thrilling passes guaranteed for spectators.
Fans and crew members at this year’s Castrol EDGE Winternationals will also have the opportunity to test drive the new-and-improved Willowbank Raceway website –www.willowbank-raceway.com.au – before it officially launches on July 1, with a fully operational marquee available for fans to hop online and have a look around what will be the new home of all their local drag racing action.
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