FATHER V SON, FORD V HOLDEN AT QLD AUTO SPECTACULAR
31 March 2011
During next weekend's Shannon's Queensland Auto Spectacular there will be a healthy vein of competition running through the Willowbank Raceway grounds, with a wheel changing competition set to pit the enthusiasts against each other in a race for prizes and bragging rights.
The Sunday April 10 event is still open for entries for those wanting to participate in its various competitions and events, with over 1000 show cars expected along with club displays, trade sites, a car sales corral, kids amusements and timed test n tune quarter-mile drags. Visit www.queenslandautospectacular.com.au for information on how to get involved.
Two of those set to do battle in the wheel changing competition – conducted on a specially-prepared platform - are father and son Ashley and Paul Trevis, with the ultimate family battle also to be a battle of Ford versus Holden.
“Dad probably has the advantage, which I hate to admit!” laughed Holden-owner Paul Trevis.
“Only because he owns Fords (the competition rig will feature a Ford bolt pattern) and so would have plenty of practice working on them, but I think deep down all Ford supporters wish they had a Holden! There are two Ford fans in my neighbourhood who have been helping me build my SS Torana, so there is proof for you.
“I am looking forward to getting along to the Queensland Auto Spectacular and having a go, its something different, and should be a bit of fun.”
Sixty five year old Ashley Trevis of Raceview, a member of the Ipswich Veteran and Vintage Vehicle Club and Model A Ford Club of Queensland will front up with a quiet resolve.
“I have entered something like this before, and I want to make sure I haven’t lost ‘it’, and I think the mature aged will definitely win over the young, because we are wiser and more experienced!” said Ashely Trevis.
“As far as Ford versus Holden, everyone knows Ford is the most superier vehicle so I can’t understand why my son would settle for second best!
“It should be good fun, I’ve worked on cars since I was fifteen so I have had plenty of practice!”
The competition’s platform will have a vehicle wheel attached to either side, allowing the competitors to face each other as they race to remove and then replace the wheel, with the fastest time winning the round.
The fastest recorded time for the day will win the trophy, with trophies on offer for male and female competitors plus a team trophy, determined by taking the fastest three times from teams of competitors across the day, with the fastest three combined times taking the win.
The Shannons Queensland Autospectacular will come to Willowbank Raceway in April of 2011 courtesy of a partnership between the Buick Car Club of Australia (Qld.) and Willowbank Raceway, and will feature a display of over 1,000 show and display cars, utes and bikes, club displays, trade sites, a car sales corral, kids amusements, timed test n tune quarter-mile drags, a wheel changing competiton, picnic area and free public parking, plus a VIP car park. General admission tickets are just $10 with children 14 and under gaining free entry.
The Buick Car Club initiated and was responsible for the highly successful Cleveland Autospectacular for the previous ten years. The all-new Queensland Autospectacular event will take place at Willowbank Raceway on the 10th of April, 2011.
With the closure of the Cleveland Autospectacular through urban and other pressures the Buick Club saw this as the perfect opportunity to team with the Willowbank management team to create an all new show for 2011.
Along with the new name and venue come a number of other new features, including the chance for show car entrants, traders and sponsors to test their cars on the Ipswich drag strip during the event in a Test ‘n’ Tune scenario.
Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility and hosts four major drag racing events each year - the two-round New Year Series in January, the Australian Top Fuel Championships in March and the Castrol EDGE Winternationals in June. The Queen’s Birthday event is the largest drag racing event outside of the US and is the season finale for the ANDRA Pro Series calendar.