5 May 2011

Chris Matheson and Maurice Allen have their championship hopes pinned on the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals, to be held at Willowbank Raceway across Friday June 10 – Monday June 13.

The Castrol EDGE Winternationals is an entertainment extravaganza held annually at Willowbank Raceway across the Queen’s Birthday weekend and is the season-finale for the ANDRA Pro Series – the elite professional level of drag racing in Australia – brackets of Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock.

Matheson (Top Bike) and Allen (Pro Stock Bike) were both victorious in the penultimate round of the 10/11 series, held at the weekend, however with almost nothing between them and their nearest championship rivals anything could happen when the two-wheeled machines head to Queensland for the final hit out of the season.

Brisbane’s Matheson is looking for back-to-back championships in the Top Bike category, while Sydney’s Allen will be looking to break through for his first ever title.

“The win at the Nitro Champs means that we have led the Top Bike series points continuously this season, which is what we were able to do last season on our way to our maiden championship,” said Matheson.

“It is a great feeling to have that consistency, and hopefully we can carry that through to claim the title at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals!

“We are certainly aware of the challenge poised by Troy Mclean and the rest of the field though, so we will certainly be on guard and giving it our all on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, to make sure Nitro Voodoo Racing secures back to back honours.”

Allen said it would be a tough battle fought on the grounds of Willowbank Raceway as the reigning Champion Andrew Badcock battles with him for the title, something Badcock is particularly interested in claiming after announcing his retirement from the sport following the June 10-13 event.

“To be leading the Pro Stock Motorcycle points chase heading into the season finale with a handy 56 point lead is a pretty cool feeling,” said Allen.

“At the same time, it’s a nervous feeling, as the Castrol EDGE Winternationals is one of those events where anything can and does happen, and we have the reigning Champ breathing down our neck, trying to snatch away the title!”

Top Bike and Pro Stock Bike will be joined on track at the season-ending Castrol EDGE Winternationals by the rest of the ANDRA Pro Series ranks – including the 7000 horespower Top Fuelers, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock, alongside the racers of the Rocket All Stars Racing Series sportsman categories, with in excess of 500 racers set to hit the Willowbank Raceway quarter-mile across Friday June 10 to Monday June 13.

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, 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 Super Gas.

Schedule
(Approximate and subject to change – visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
for updates)
Friday June 10
On-track qualifying action from 9.00am – approximately 7.30pm
Pro Stock Qualifying at 5.00pm

Saturday June 11
On-track action from 8.00am – approximately 8.00pm
ANDRA Pro Series Qualifying from 12.00pm – approximately 5.30pm

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

NB: General Admission = access to the spectator mound and paddock area
NB: Multi-day passes are available for pre-purchase through the Willowbank Raceway website only, no at-gate purchase of multi-day passes will be available

General Admission Tickets:

One-day passes:
Friday June 10 – Adult General Admission- $20.00
Friday June 10 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $20.00
Saturday June 11 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Saturday June 11 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Sunday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Sunday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00
Monday June 12 – Adult General Admission – $50.00
Monday June 12 – Student/Concession General Admission (Must show ID) – $42.00

Two-day General admission pass (available in Saturday/Sunday or Sunday/Monday format):
Adult – $90.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $75.00

Three-day General admission pass, including complimentary Friday General Admission:
Adult – $140.00
Student/Concession (must show ID) – $110.00

Reserved seating (price DOES NOT include admission), available for Saturday, Sunday and Monday:
Startline Club – $16.00 per day
Grandstand – $12.00 per day

For information on corporate options at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au