Australia’s East Coast Drag Racing scene sets for furious & innovative season finish….

Despite major disruptions to this season, 400 Thunder Championship Drag Racing have locked in dates to finish their wrap around 2021/2022 season on a high.

COVID-19, border closures, and two rain-affected events, are in the past and now Willowbank Raceway QLD and Heathcote Park Raceway VIC are prepping for the busy months ahead.

The next event kicks off at Willowbank Raceway from Friday 8th April to Saturday 9th April, for the Gulf Western Oil Super Thunder – Featuring all Professional and Sportsman Categories.

CEO of Willowbank Raceway, Peter Beaumont, and staff are already preparing for the busiest time of the year at the track.

“These next few months are the most exciting and best time of the year for Willowbank Raceway and we are head down with all the planning for the events, as well as the re-development of the facilities following the announcement of the federal government grant of $11 million dollars,” Mr. Beaumont said.

“It’s truly an exciting time for 400 Thunder Championship Drag Racing.”

In even more exciting news, Lance Warren from Heathcote Park Raceway has confirmed the Victorian Track will be resurfaced in time for the Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May Qualifying and Race Day event.

“We are looking forward to attracting 400 Thunder Championship Drag Racing Racers from all over Australia,” Mr. Warren said.

“To make sure we have the best in the business attending the event, we are resurfacing the Drag Strip and the braking area in time for the 400 Thunder event. We confirmed it all with our asphalt company yesterday and it is all systems go. “

Chairman of 400 Thunder, Tony Wedlock, said the efforts of Lance and his team are inspiring.

“Lance Warren is completing an amazing transformation of the Heathcote Park Raceway Facility, in an incredibly short time frame,” Mr. Wedlock said.

“This guy is a machine, and the facility is just getting better and better with new catering areas, expanded pit areas, full concrete walls, sand trap and twin nets, new return road into the pit area, and now the resurfacing of the racing surface.

“It is simply breathtaking how hard Lance and his team are working and investing into what will be the Premier Drag Racing facility in Victoria. We salute you!”

CEO of IHRA Australia, Maurice Allen also complemented Lance on his journey so far.

“Since Lance purchased Heathcote Park Raceway, IHRA Australia has been with Lance advising him from day one on the safety standards required for the facility, and we are certainly impressed with what he has achieved in the last 12 months during very tough times. He has already ticked a lot of the very important boxes, and is doing a fine job with the support of his team”

The rest of the wrap around season 2021/2022 events will be held at Willowbank Raceway, with Winternationals Warm-Up on Saturday 4th June and Sunday 5th June and the much-anticipated Gulf Western Oil Winternationals from Thursday 9th June to Sunday 12th June.*

*That event includes very exciting news for the Australian Drag Racing community marking the return of Top Fuel Funny Cars  to Australian Drag racing!

The Gulf Western Oil Winternationals will see the debut of the category. However, race fans will get a glimpse of what’s ahead when a couple of the Top Fuel Funny Cars shake the track at the Gulf Western Oil Super Thunder at Willowbank Raceway on April 9th.

CEO of Willowbank Raceway Peter Beaumont said:  “Having Top Fuel Funny Cars at the April and June events for Willowbank Raceway is something very special for the race fans as they have been waiting for this day for many months, and so have we. This is truly big news for Willowbank Raceway.”

The Aeroflow Performance Products Toyota Camry with Morice McMillin behind the wheel will line up next to the Nitro Freak Chevrolet Monte Carlo piloted by Adam Murahy at the Super Thunder event, providing some earth-shattering excitement for the race fans.

Morice Mcmillin added “We have had the Aeroflow Performance Products Toyota Camry out a few times at Sydney Dragway recently and Graeme, and our awesome crew, are extremely happy with the progress. Quarter mile racing, 500km/h speeds 4 second passes header flames over the roof, if that doesn’t get your blood flowing nothing will.”

Long time Funny Car stalwarts, Graeme and Wendy Cowin, with their Aeroflow Performance Products company, are excited for the Top Fuel Funny Car return to Australian Racetracks.

Graeme and Wendy’s passion is funny cars and we plan to showcase that with the Aeroflow Performance funny car in front of some big crowds at Willowbank Raceway over the next few months, and then at more tracks in the 400 Thunder Championship Drag Racing Series in 2022/2023.”

 

400 Thunder General Manager Steve Bettes said they are delighted to confirm the events for the remainder of the 2021/2022 Racing Season.

“This is all great news for our competitors and race fans across Australia, and we are delighted to finally be able to confirm the events,” Mr. Bettes said.

“It has been a very tough two years for our sport, but this is the turning point, and we will be announcing our 2022/2023 Calendar very soon.

“Next season will see 400 Thunder racing at all of the following facilities – Springmount Raceway Cairns NQ, Palmyra Dragway Mackay NQ, Willowbank Raceway Ipswich SQ, Sydney Dragway, Eastern Creek, NSW, Heathcote Park Raceway, Heathcote VIC and The Bend Dragway Tailem Bend SA.”

Drag Racing in Australia is making strides in improving track facilities for both professional and sportsman racers. It will be an exciting end of season for all those involved, followed by a full calendar of events for the next season.

2021/2022 – 400 Thunder Championship Drag Racing Calendar

• Willowbank Raceway – Gulf Western Oil Super Thunder – Friday April 8th and Sat April 9th – Featuring all 400 Thunder Professional & Sportsman Categories

• Heathcote Park Raceway – Goldfields Thunder – Friday April 29th – Test Day, Sat April 30th –Qualifying and Sun May 1st – Race Day. Featuring all 400 Thunder Professional & Sportsman Categories

• Willowbank Raceway – Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th – Winternationals Warm-Up. Open to all Winternationals Entrants.

• Willowbank Raceway – Gulf Western Oil Winternationals Thurs June 9th, Friday June 10th, Sat June 11th and Sun June 12th –- Featuring all Professional & Sportsman Categories

For further information visit 400 Thunder Official : HERE

DragRaceCanada File Photos by Bruce Biegler