PROVEN YOUNGSTER LOOKS TO TAKE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT IN SUPER SEDAN
18 April 2013
When the latest round of the Willowbank Raceway Track Championship chase gets underway on Saturday 20 April, the Powercruise Super Sedan bracket in particular will be one to watch as a proven youngster looks to chip away at the established order.
17 year old Jake Donnelly is currently enjoying his debut season in the senior ranks after previously claiming multiple Willowbank and Australian titles in the Junior Dragster bracket.
Donnelly is currently tied for the lead of the Powercruise Super Sedan Willowbank Raceway Track Championship with established category stalwart and multi-time track champion Darren Doeblien; brother of the reigning champion for the category, Paul Doeblien.
Together, the Doeblien brothers have dominated the Super Sedan bracket at Willowbank Raceway in recent years, however with Donnelly bursting onto the scene in 2012/2013 and currently sharing the top spot, there is certainly a strong challenge to the established order underway.
Willowbank Raceway Manager Steve Bettes said it meant action-packed thrills for spectators come race day.
“The Doeblien brothers are very well-known at Willowbank Raceway, and I know they will be doing everything in their power to continue their dominance in Super Sedan,” said Bettes.
“Having said that though, Donnelly is young and very hungry, and I know he wants to see his Chevy Nova come out on top against the Ford Falcon favoured by Darren.
“On top of that, you can’t forget all the other racers in this bracket, with a number of them right up there in the points including Stew Walsh, Gary Clarke, Tony Whyatt, Paul Doeblien, Kevin Landgridge, Judy Pukis and Dwayn Taylor.
“There won’t be a dull moment in this bracket that is for sure – as they all battle it out for supremacy on the day and in the title standings.”
Powercruise Super Sedan won’t be the only bracket worth watching either, with rivalries already emerging across a large amount of the entry list.
“Across the nine brackets there are a whole array of racers spectators would be well advised to keep their eye on,” said Bettes.
“In Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws the title chase is tight with Bill Fletcher leading Matthew McKnight by just two points, with Fletcher being gifted the best opportunity to extend that lead this weekend with McKnight not entered for the 20 April event; while in Knijff Earthmoving Modified Athol Jacobsen is leading with 78 points, ahead of Tony Littlewood (68) and Scott Bettes (66).
“In Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, the reigning Modified category track champion Blaze Hansen is making the most of his debut season in the category, in the lead with 78 points ahead of Neil Tschutura, who has 63 points to his name.
“On two wheels, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Modified Bike is being lead by Kevin Cleeve with a narrow margin over Tammy Goldthorpe, who unfortunately injured her shoulder at her last event and will not be competing this weekend (73 and 71 points respectively).
“In Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster Dylan Leo at this stage has a comfortable spot at the top of the points with 71 points, ahead of Tazmin Wong (58 points, not entered this weekend) and Caleb Oberg (56 points); while in Super Gas David Gauldie leads the reigning champ Simon Ishwerwood 71 points to 63.”
This Saturday’s Super Sportsman event at Willowbank Raceway will feature racing from the SuperComp, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas categories; in a two part format.
For more information on this weekend’s event or a full season event calendar, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au. Willowbank Raceway is Queensland’s premier drag racing facility, located 45 minutes from Brisbane or just a short drive from Ipswich, offering a year-round program of events for the entire family. For more information and a full event calendar, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
EVENT INFORMATION: SUPER SPORTSMAN EVENT – 20 April 2013
Racing from: SuperComp, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas.
Tickets:
Adults: $20.00
Students with ID: $18.00
Children 13 years and under gain free entry
Schedule:
Gates open 7.00am
9.00am – midday – two qualifying sessions for all brackets
Midday – 4.30pm: racing for all brackets
From 5.00pm – ET racing for Modified, Super Sedan, Super Street, Junior Dragster and Super Gas
Please check www.willowbankraceway.com.au for full up-to-date scheduling information