Winternationals a money boost

THE fastest motorsport event in Australia will also provide a financial and morale injection for the local Ipswich economy struggling to recover from January's disastrous floods.

Billed as the biggest drag-racing event in the world outside of the US, the 44th Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway starting on Friday (JUNE 10) is the season finale for the ANDRA Pro Series, brackets of Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Door- slammer and Pro Stock. The four-day event is expected to attract more than 40,000 drag-racing fans.

It is part of a motorsport precinct that also includes Queensland Raceway which hosts rounds of the V8 Supercars and Australian Superbikes, a go-kart circuit, a rally track and a dirt kart track. The former Moreton Shire protected the motorsport precinct from urban encroachment to ensure its future.

The current Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has been a long-time supporter of the precinct and council zoning of the area guarantees the precinct will never be closed as have other tracks in Australia such as Amaroo Park and Oran Park in Sydney. Queensland Sport Minister Phil Reeves got a close look at ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel Championship leader Darren Morgan's 8000 horsepower dragster this week.

Minister Reeves donned earphones and took to the driver's seat while Morgan fired up the racer in front of Parliament House for a deafening performance that drowned out the most vocal politician. Minister Reeves says events such as Winternationals and the Ipswich 300 V8 Supercar Championship round provide a "much-needed economic and morale boost to the region".

ABOUT THE EVENT

The rubber will burn at Willowbank Raceway on Friday from 9am-7.30pm with Pro Stock qualifying at 5pm.

• On Saturday from 8am-8pm with ANDRA Pro Series qualifying from noon-5.30pm.
• Sunday action is from 8.30am with ANDRA Pro Series qualifying from noon-5.30pm.
• Monday fires up from 8.30am with ANDRA Pro Series racing at 11am, 1.15pm and all finals from 2.45pm.
• Children 13 and under free, students with ID discounted entry.
• One-day, two-day and full-event passes  available.