Brisbane’s Reddacliff Place was transformed into a nitro fan’s dream today when a taste of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals came to the city – ahead of tomorrow’s first day of the 44th Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway.
Thousands of city-goers were treated to appearances by Top Fuel racer Steve Read and his 7000 horespower Top Fuel dragster alongside fellow ANDRA Pro Series racers Steven Ham, Steve Reed and Rick Gauci and their Top Alcohol race cars and PRO-FX’s Tony Wedlock and his Toyota Aurion machine.
They also had the chance to get to compete for Castrol EDGE Winternationals tickets and merchandise by playing games, while hearing all about the annual event which is the largest drag racing event held outside of the US.
Top Fuel driver – Steve ‘the Pom’ Read – said that while the pre-event preparation for any event is busy, let alone for the Castrol EDGE Winternationals – the biggest one of the year – he always has times for the fans.
“Today has been great to get out here into the heart of the city at Reddacliff Place and connect with the fans, and with some people who might not have known about our great sport before today,” said Read – who top qualified at the March Willowbank Top Fuel event.
“To get the message out there about the sport, Willowbank Raceway and the Castrol EDGE Winternationals is a great thing for us, as we want as many people as possible out there this Queen’s Birthday long weekend cheering us on as we shoot for a great result in front of our home fans!”
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes said he was happy to be able to give fans a taste of the race track in the middle of the Brisbane CBD.
“I am sure when today’s city-goers were heading to work or out for their lunch the last thing they expected to see at the end of the Queen Street Mall was a 7000 horsepower, 8 metre long Top Fuel dragster!” laughed Bettes.
“Hopefully the chance to see one of these amazing machines up close while hearing all about our great sport will have opened some new eyes to quarter-mile fever, and we really hope to see some of the great people we have met today out at the track over the next four days for the Castrol EDGE Winternationals.
“Children 13 and under gain free entry and students with ID can access a discount, and there is plenty to see and do both on and off the track for everyone, so we really encourage everyone to come out to Willowbank Raceway and be a part of the largest drag racing event held outside of the US!”
The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza held annually across the Queen’s Birthday weekend and is expected to provide an economic injection of millions of dollars into the South East Queensland region.
It is the season-finale for the ANDRA Pro Series, and will host more than 510 racers across the four days, including 87 from the Pro Series categories of Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Children aged 13 and under are able to gain free admission to the Raceway during the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, and students with ID are able to gain discounted entry. One-day, two-day and full-event passes are all available – for more information, to purchase tickets and for schedules, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility, hosting year-round racing including four ANDRA Pro Series rounds per year including the Castrol EDGE Winternationals. For more information, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
EVENT INFORMATION: CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
Feature racing: Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Pro Stock, Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle
Also racing from: Lifestyle Floorcoverings Competition, Lifestyle Floorcoverings Super Stock, nsane.net.au Super Compact, Competition Bike, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Speed Elec/Prime Signs Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Neptunes Pool Care Super Gas.
Schedule
(Approximate and subject to change – visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
for updates)
Friday June 10
On-track qualifying action from 9.00am – approximately 7.30pm
Pro Stock Qualifying at 5.00pm
Saturday June 11
On-track action from 8.00am – approximately 8.00pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying from 12.00pm – approximately 5.30pm
Sunday June 12
On-track action from 8.30am – approximately 6.30pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying from 12 noon – approximately 5.30pm
Monday June 13
On-track action from 8.30am – approximately 4.30pm
Opening Ceremonies – 10.30am
ANDRA Pro Series racing at 11.00am, 1.15pm and all finals from 2.45pm
Ticketing – tickets available for purchase from www.willowbankraceway.com.au
NB: General Admission = access to the spectator mound and paddock area
NB: Multi-day passes are available for pre-purchase through the Willowbank Raceway website only, no at-gate purchase of multi-day passes will be available
General Admission Tickets:
One-day passes:
Friday June 10 – Adult General Admission- $20.00
Friday June 10 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $20.00
Saturday June 11 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Saturday June 11 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Sunday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Sunday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Monday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Monday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Two-day General admission pass (available in Saturday/Sunday or Sunday/Monday format):
Adult – $90.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $75.00
Three-day General admission pass, including complimentary Friday General Admission:
Adult – $140.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $110.00
Reserved seating (price DOES NOT include admission), available for Saturday, Sunday and Monday:
Startline Club – $16.00 per day
Grandstand – $12.00 per day
For information on corporate options at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
