11 June 2011

Jamie Noonan and Darren Morgan are two ANDRA Pro Series racers with big smiles on their faces at the close of day two of Willowbank Raceway’s four-day Castrol EDGE Winternationals (June 10-13)– the largest drag racing event held outside of the US.

In front of an exceptional crowd ANDRA Pro Series debutant Noonan blitzed to the top of the Top Alcohol time sheets while Morgan clinched the Top Fuel championship this afternoon by successfully staging for qualifying.

Currently on top of the qualifying ladders for Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle are Phil Read, Peter Kapiris, Chris Matheson and Michael Gilbertson respectively, while Lee Bektash is currently top qualified in Pro Stock – which is running a 16 car field this weekend – after the third of their four qualifying rounds.

Tomorrow’s on track action will continue from 8.30am with qualifying for all the ANDRA Pro Series brackets from 12 noon before eliminations get underway on Monday’s final day of racing.

Noonan, an engine builder for V8 Supercar outfit Brad Jones Racing, said he was extremely pleased with what is his first ever race meeting at the wheel – not only in drag racing, but in any form of motorsport.

“It is just awesome, both the crew of Noonan Race Engineering boys and I are pretty green, after all the first time I went down a drag strip was last weekend when I got my licence, so its pretty amazing,” said Noonan, who occupies the top spot courtesy of a 5.562 second pass at 247.88mph set in today’s first session.

“We knew the car had it in it but it was more whether I would be able to run strong as a driver and how the crew guys would go, but so far everyone is doing an awesome job and we feel that the car has more in it!

“I have been involved in the sport for years, but the time had come where I had enough of just working on everyone else’s cars so I went out and decided to start my own team and have full control – so far its working out pretty well,” grinned Noonan.

In Top Fuel, Morgan (second fastest in the Top Fuel field currently) is a very happy camper after securing his second Top Fuel Championships, which is his first as an owner/driver.

“All these guys are volunteers so to make the championship happen and make it through is pretty neat,” said Morgan.

“We just needed that 20 extra points, we should have done it last meeting but we did it this meeting and now we have got the number one on the car for next season so that is pretty amazing.

“It also means that our own Ben Patterson is officially the youngest Top Fuel Championship winning crew chief in any Top Fuel championship ever held, at the age of 22 years old – so that is pretty neat for Ben.

“He is probably the most hard working team member ever, juggling a Engineering degree at uni which he is doing really well at and putting so much time into the team, he is a good kid!”

While Morgan has clinched the Top Fuel title early, ANDRA Pro Series titles are still up for grabs in Top Alcohol (Wayne Newby currently leading), Top Doorslammer (with the fight coming down to between John Zappia and Mark Belleri, who is in his debut season), Pro Stock (with three time champion Aaron Tremayne fighting Dave Newcombe for the win), Top Bike (Chris Matheson currently leading) and Pro Stock Motorcycle, where the fight is between the reigning champ Andrew Badcock and Sydney racer Maurice Allen.

Those fights as well as the battle for Castrol EDGE Winternationals glory will continue tomorrow, action will step up a gear with the final qualifying of the ANDRA Pro Series brackets plus the first round of eliminations for Pro Stock hitting the track from 12.00pm through to nightfall, plus the first appearances of the Castrol EDGE Speed Comparison.

The Castrol EDGE Speed Comparison will feature V8 Supercar identity Steve Richards aboard a Porsche taking on a Pro Stock star in his ANDRA Pro Series machine to the delight of the crowd – appearing both Sunday and Monday.

Aside from the on-track excitement, off track, the Showtime FMX, presented by Castrol EDGE crew performed the first of their Winternationals shows and the public had their first opportunity to pilot the world first Darren Morgan Racing Top Fuel Simulator, both will continue on Sunday and Monday of the largest drag racing event held outside of the US.

For full results, event information and schedules, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au.

ABOUT THE CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS:
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.

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)

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