motorculture
MotorCulture
Willowbank Raceway and ANDRA are pleased to announce the introduction of a 16 car Top Doorslammer field for June’s FUCHS Winternationals (Thursday 5 June to Sunday 8 June).
Attracting Australia’s quickest racing sedans using methanol-fuelled and supercharged V8 motors to accelerate to 400 kilometres per hour with big burnouts and wild runs par for the course, the Top Doorslammer bracket is a crowd favourite.
As a result of this decision, fans will – for only the second time in Australian drag racing history – enjoy twice as much national championship racing from the popular professional-level category thanks to the fact that double the usual ‘race day’ spots are now on offer.
“Willowbank Raceway is very excited about this concept and pleased to be able to work with ANDRA to make this a reality,” said Willowbank Raceway CEO Tony Manson.
“Everyone at Willowbank Raceway certainly looks forward to seeing how it unfolds as part of the FUCHS Winternationals this Queen’s birthday long weekend.”
ANDRA CEO Malcolm Bulley said he was pleased to be able to work with Willowbank Raceway and Australia’s Top Doorslammer racers to make the 16 car Top Doorslammer field a reality for only the second time in Australian history.
“The concept of running 16 car fields has been spoken about ever since quality cars started being left out on race day,” said Bulley.
“There have been a number of hurdles to the obvious evolution in race day numbers however in the end the big winner is the sport and the fans.
“With the quality and number of cars we have in the Top Doorslammer category, it is all about the race, with reaction times, tune ups and set-ups combining to provide literally hundreds of ways to win and lose a race meaning that upsets are always possible - especially when you have 16 cars going head to head.
“The management team at Willowbank have been great to work with on this concept and by moving forward with these changes we will never have to wonder ‘what if we had done this’, so I have to send my many thanks to the racers and to Willowbank Raceway – they are the ones who have really made this happen.
Six-time back-to-back Top Doorslammer champion Victor Bray said the new concept had his support.
“The Winternationals are the premier event at our own home track, and what could be better than more Top Doorslammer action for the fans!” said Victor Bray.
“When Willowbank Raceway ran a 16 car field in Top Doorslammer for the first time six years ago, we really loved it and I know a lot of the other teams did too, and so we can’t wait to see it back again in 2014!”
The FUCHS Winternationals will be held across the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (Thursday 5 June to Sunday 8 June 2014), with 430 racers from all across the country and New Zealand to compete in front of approximately 30,000 spectators across the four days.
For spectators, a range of ticketing options are available including special pre-purchase online-only multi-day event passes. Students and Concession card (age and disability pension only) holders with photo ID gain discounts, while children aged 13 and under gain free entry. For full information, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
