BROTHERS RACING TO IRONBARK RACEWAY FOR EIGHTH MILE SERIES
27 July 2015
Brothers Josh and Matt Halpin will lead the Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike class to Ironbark Raceway next weekend (1 August) for round three of the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, with the pair currently first and second in the points standings with two rounds left to run.
The Halpin brothers – who thank their mum and dad Phil and Carolyne, Halpin Motors and Tyres 4 Bikes for their support, both hail from Saint George, approximately two hours from Ironbark Raceway.
Nineteen year old Josh Halpin is an apprentice motorcycle mechanic and has been racing for two years. This is his second year in the Series after coming second in the final round of 2014 and third in the series overall.
“I have won most of my races so far but I haven’t made it to a final yet, that would be great if I could,” said Josh Halpin.
“Leading from Matt doesn’t really add any extra pressure since I beat him in the Modified Bike track championship at Roma last year and so far in the eighth mile!” laughed Josh. “He tries to put me off with his loud bike and games at the tree, but it is good fun! He does have more wins and he tries to get in my head – it must work sometimes as he is a good racer and gets me most of the time, but so far I am in front when it comes to the Eighth Mile Series!
“A lot of tough talking gets thrown around when Matt, dad and I have to race each other, but we have all come out pretty even so far and we all have a good laugh.
“Hopefully at round three we can continue the fun, and some race wins would be good as well! I am pretty comfortable racing at Roma as it is a great track and the three of us race the Roma track championship so we are there regularly – I hope a lot of people make the trip to Roma for round three, it is a great track run by good people who work hard for the racers and the spectators.”
Twenty-two year old Matt Halpin is currently second in the Modified Bike class from his brother Josh, with the Apprentice Spraypainter of St George enjoying his fourth year on the track.
“I have been racing the Eighth Mile Series for three years all in the Modified Bike class with three different bikes, I have only had a few round runner-ups and finished equal second in 2013, and this year I have had a few wins but haven’t been as consistent as I would like – hopefully I can change that at round three,” said Matt Halpin, who is currently leading the Ironbark Raceway track championship for Modified Bike.
“The Series title is not currently on my mind, I am just looking forward to the last two rounds of racing with mates and having plenty of good times – chasing my brother in the points doesn’t really put any extra pressure on me, but maybe it puts pressure on him!
“It is good fun racing him, especially when dad is racing as well (father Phil competes from time to time in the same bracket). It can make for an interesting trip home sometimes though,” laughed Matt, who races a Yamaha MT-09. “We don’t keep score, but I think I probably have more wins between us – but it is pretty even between the three of us – it is always the last race between us that matters when it comes to bragging rights!”
The JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series celebrates grassroots drag racing at some of South East Queensland’s great regional tracks. After kicking off at Warwick Dragway on 21 February and then heading to Willowbank Raceway on 25 April for round two, Ironbark Raceway will now host round three on 1 August before the final round gets going at Benaraby Raceway on 26 September 2014.
For more information on the 2015 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, including information on rules, how to enter and the points system, please visit to www.willowbankraceway.com.au
SPONSORS
• JP Racing - Series Sponsor
• FG Loy & Sons - Eighth Mile Outlaws Bracket
• RD Williams Excavator Parts - Modified Bracket
• Ice Slushee - Super Sedan Bracket
• John William Auto Sales - Super Street Bracket
• Queensland Nameplate Group - Modified Bike Bracket
• Diamond T Products - Junior Dragster Bracket
For more information or comment, please contact:
John Winterburn – Series Organiser
Phone: 0408 788 302
Email: jwinterb@bigpond.net.au
Photo Credit: blacktrack.com.au