BRISBANE CBD ENJOYS TASTE OF NITRO POWER
9 June 2011
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