DragRaceCanada gets a serious dose of fast import car racing – from “down under”….
While our decades of drag racing career racing travels have included a number of major Import Car events (almost exclusively stateside USA) — we did have the privilege last week to experience our first major Import Car event outside of North America.  That was from Australia — while attending the 2022 edition Garrett Brisbane Jamboree event – hosted by fabled Willowbank Raceway in Queensland (Aug 20-21).

The 2022 Garrett Jamboree Brisbane was but the latest event within the Jamboree series’ label and long history for hosting very successful and reputable events within and across Australia (dating back to 2009), and we can now personally attest to the reasons for that longevity.

This weekend was a serious coagulation of professionalism — from event management, superb track preparation and race team expertise that combined produced both a premium on the track racing product that was fan friendly and high on the entertainment meter.

The Garrett Brisbane Jamboree does follow most of the International recognized class standards from within the worldwide Import Car drag racing movement, with however a few twists, i.e. Australian adaptation.

The drag racing program featured some 13 categories – including marquee eliminators for Factory Xtreme, Pro Mod, Pro Turbo and Pro Compact. Sportsman orientated classes like ST289, J275, J315 all raced heads up with a Pro Tree Start within a Chicago Shootout race format.

Eliminators also included Modified 10.5 (Full Tree / Chicago Shootout) as well as Street Compact, All Motor, Modified Compact & Extreme.

The event highlights were numerous including a few spills and jaw dropping moments which are atypical for Jamboree-presented events.

This weekend’s winning efforts included homestate Queensland-based racer Collin Willshire’s victory in the Factory Xtreme class over a very tough field driving his scintillating 2000+ HP Jett Racing twin-turbocharged Mitsubishi.

Homestate Queensland racer Collin Willshire prevailed for the Factory Xtreme class title with his twin-turbo Mitsubishi.

Frank Taraby raced the Taraby Brothers Toyota to the quickest and fastest F/X class runs of the weekend at 5.961 secs at 239.74 mph.

The Pro Turbo final featured two racers from NSW with Anthony Maatook prevailing.  Maatook, who had the quickest run for the class during competiton (6.659 secs) topped the super quick Datsun, driven by Gary Halpin in that final.  Other feature titles included scores for Steve Barnett’s Mazda for Pro Compact racing and the event’s Pro Mod class title went to Paul Cannuli’s supercharged Ford Mustang.

Versatile circuit racer Anthony Maatook won the event’s tough Pro Turbo title.

Gary Halpin was the Pro Turbo R/UP with his super cool Nissan.

Steve Bezzina was an impressive winner racing his 1970 model Falcon in the J275 category. This creative 4-door car was a consistent 6-seconds performer all weekend.

Steve Bezzina and Adam Popovic (both from Victoria State) won in the J275 and Modified 10.5 classes respectively. Other wins went to Ben Clark (Modified Compact), Teejay Graham (Street 289), Jason Stoodley (All Motor) and Simon Isherwood (Street).

Prime series presenting sponsor Garrett had an impressive display along the manufacturers midway.

You can link to some more images from our Garrett Brisbane Jamboree event experience : HERE
For more information on the Garrett Jamboree series click home : HERE

Posted and photos by Bruce Biegler