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Sixty-four-year old Brisbane Top Fuel driver Roy Smith has made Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway his very own field of dreams during the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, clinching a first ever sub-five second quarter mile pass at Australian drag racing’s ultimate showpiece.
The oldest driver at the event, Smith clocked a personal best 4.91 seconds over the competition distance which is in stark contrast to his Winternationals efforts 40 years ago.
Holding the distinction of being the only remaining active driver who competed in the first ever Winternationals back in 1968, tonight’s effort was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for him and veteran crew chief Mick Atholwood.
Following a 20-year absence from the sport, Smith returned to drag racing a decade ago and on tonight’s performance was able to lock in the fourth quickest time to book a first round eliminator appointment against the only other Queensland campaigner, Steve Read, of Ipswich.
Quickest in the Top Fuel field was Phil Lamattina courtesy of a scintillating 4.64 seconds, followed by reigning Australian champion Phil Read.
Right across a record breaking contingent of Group One professional categories there were many memorable performances laid down on day two of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals as the 21-car Top Doorslammer bracket again proved a crowd favourite.
By securing a place in the field, Brisbane’s Gary Phillips wrapped up the Australian championship to make it National title number 13 in a stellar career, but it was Australias’s quickest driver in the category, John Zappia, who mastered an impressive 6.03 seconds to top the timesheets.
Despite some nervous moments, local driver Brett Stevens remains in the hunt for a maiden Top Alcohol title by qualifying third, however it all goes on the line during the first round of eliminations tomorrow afternoon when he takes on current leader Wayne Newby of New South Wales.
Just 35 points separated the duo going into the Castrol EDGE Winternationals and if Stevens wins through he’d become the first drag racing competitor in the World to win a National title in three different categories, having previously secured Top Bike and Top Doorslammer honours.
Reigning champion Ben Bray may have had a disrupted season with injury in 2006/07 but he’s well and truly on song this weekend as the top qualifier in Top Alcohol and third top qualifier in Top Doorslammer.
There were no changes in the top rung of drivers in Pro Stock as brothers Tyronne and Aaron Tremayne remained the pacesetters.
But there’ll be no guarantees for any of the drivers with the eighth position being the quickest ever recorded in Australia.
The two wheeled warriors of the drag strip were also paving the way towards a history making 40th Castrol EDGE Winternationals, as Daniel Peatey led a Pro Stock Motorcycle field that also became the quickest ever in the country.
Brett Stevens will be in for another busy day at the office as the top qualifier in Top Bike, however his surprise exit in Top Doorslammer left many of his fans a little bewildered.
Action kicks off from 8am tomorrow morning with feature Group One finals beginning at 2.15pm.
Broadcast newsrooms please note vision highlights of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, including Roy Smith’s first ever four second pass, are available on request
2007 CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS – JUNE 8-10
Racing Includes: Redcliffe Dyno and Performance Top Fuel, Motorsport Connections Top Alcohol, Jack Daniel's Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, QT Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyls Competition, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyls Super Stock, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Super Sedan, Torque's Cheap Performance & Wholesale Cars Super Street, Wolf Racing Power Products Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Powercruise 1 Day Powerplay Super Gas, Morgan & Wacker Screamin' Eagle Harleys, Perfect Print Light of the Night
TICKETING
Adult
Sunday Admission $45
Student (must show ID)
Sunday Admission $35
Children 13 & under are admitted free
Program
Sunday 10th Racing 8.00am with feature racing from 2.15pm
Internet sites Castrol Edge Team Bray Racing
FIELD OF DREAMS AT CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
Sixty-four-year old Brisbane Top Fuel driver Roy Smith has made Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway his very own field of dreams during the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, clinching a first ever sub-five second quarter mile pass at Australian drag racing’s ultimate showpiece.
The oldest driver at the event, Smith clocked a personal best 4.91 seconds over the competition distance which is in stark contrast to his Winternationals efforts 40 years ago.
Holding the distinction of being the only remaining active driver who competed in the first ever Winternationals back in 1968, tonight’s effort was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for him and veteran crew chief Mick Atholwood.
Following a 20-year absence from the sport, Smith returned to drag racing a decade ago and on tonight’s performance was able to lock in the fourth quickest time to book a first round eliminator appointment against the only other Queensland campaigner, Steve Read, of Ipswich.
Quickest in the Top Fuel field was Phil Lamattina courtesy of a scintillating 4.64 seconds, followed by reigning Australian champion Phil Read.
Right across a record breaking contingent of Group One professional categories there were many memorable performances laid down on day two of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals as the 21-car Top Doorslammer bracket again proved a crowd favourite.
By securing a place in the field, Brisbane’s Gary Phillips wrapped up the Australian championship to make it National title number 13 in a stellar career, but it was Australias’s quickest driver in the category, John Zappia, who mastered an impressive 6.03 seconds to top the timesheets.
Despite some nervous moments, local driver Brett Stevens remains in the hunt for a maiden Top Alcohol title by qualifying third, however it all goes on the line during the first round of eliminations tomorrow afternoon when he takes on current leader Wayne Newby of New South Wales.
Just 35 points separated the duo going into the Castrol EDGE Winternationals and if Stevens wins through he’d become the first drag racing competitor in the World to win a National title in three different categories, having previously secured Top Bike and Top Doorslammer honours.
Reigning champion Ben Bray may have had a disrupted season with injury in 2006/07 but he’s well and truly on song this weekend as the top qualifier in Top Alcohol and third top qualifier in Top Doorslammer.
There were no changes in the top rung of drivers in Pro Stock as brothers Tyronne and Aaron Tremayne remained the pacesetters.
But there’ll be no guarantees for any of the drivers with the eighth position being the quickest ever recorded in Australia.
The two wheeled warriors of the drag strip were also paving the way towards a history making 40th Castrol EDGE Winternationals, as Daniel Peatey led a Pro Stock Motorcycle field that also became the quickest ever in the country.
Brett Stevens will be in for another busy day at the office as the top qualifier in Top Bike, however his surprise exit in Top Doorslammer left many of his fans a little bewildered.
Action kicks off from 8am tomorrow morning with feature Group One finals beginning at 2.15pm.
Broadcast newsrooms please note vision highlights of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals, including Roy Smith’s first ever four second pass, are available on request
2007 CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS – JUNE 8-10
Racing Includes: Redcliffe Dyno and Performance Top Fuel, Motorsport Connections Top Alcohol, Jack Daniel's Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, QT Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyls Competition, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyls Super Stock, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Super Sedan, Torque's Cheap Performance & Wholesale Cars Super Street, Wolf Racing Power Products Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Powercruise 1 Day Powerplay Super Gas, Morgan & Wacker Screamin' Eagle Harleys, Perfect Print Light of the Night
TICKETING
Adult
Sunday Admission $45
Student (must show ID)
Sunday Admission $35
Children 13 & under are admitted free
Program
Sunday 10th Racing 8.00am with feature racing from 2.15pm
Internet sites Castrol Edge Team Bray Racing
