WORLD-BEATERS PUNCTUATE JUMPING JAMBOREE AT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY
1 September 2014
An action-packed Brisbane Jamboree has been held at Willowbank Raceway at the weekend, with the one-day format delivering multiple world and national records amid furious racing and a buzzing off-track atmosphere.
New Zealand’s Rod Harvey became the world’s quickest and fastest Sport Compact racer on his way to taking victory in the Factory Xtreme bracket, while Queensland’s Collin Willshire and New South Wales’ Alf Axiak also rewrote the record books. Willshire became the world’s fastest (and Australia’s quickest and fastest) four cylinder drag car racer in his Mitsubishi Eclipse, while Axiak became the fastest All Motor racer in Australia in his Mazda RX7.
Also drawing the applause of the crowd were Harvey’s fellow event winners Dion Amato (Pro Turbo), Kelly Bettes (Pro Compact), Justin Wilkinson (Modified 10.5), Fabian Romanin (Extreme), Joad Fardell (Modified Compact), Andrew Robinson (Street 289), Ben Cavanagh (All Motor), Daniel Harding (Street Compact), Nathan Hagenson (Pro 289) and Sam Fenech (Outlaw 10.5).
“To have clinched the fastest elapsed time and mile per hour for a sport compact car in the world, and get the Factory Xtreme win for the Brisbane Jamboree – one of my favourite events - is fantastic!” said Harvey, who reset the speed marker to 6.123 seconds and 238 miles per hour (approx 383kmh).
“Two years ago, or even one year ago, I would have thought it was unachievable to go that fast in one of these cars, so it is a really good result and one that we have been working hard towards for the last six months.
“It is definitely a great feat for the team, but there is always someone around the corner trying to beat you so we will certainly keep pressing forward. Our advantage is that we now have data at that level so we can build on that and keep moving forward.”
Jett Racing team owner Willshire was pleased with his outfit’s Jamboree performance, with team racer Kelly Bettes topping off Willshire’s record performance (6.573s at 223mph/359kmh) with a win in the Pro Compact bracket for the second year running.
“We obviously had a great weekend, it was a pretty big Jamboree for us with the world mile per hour record for a four cylinder drag car and also the Australian elapsed time and mile per hour records, plus Kelly winning Pro Compact again this year,” said Willshire, whose team is supported by Garrett Turbos and Motul Oil.
“We knew the car had it, it is just been a matter of fine-tuning some bits and pieces to get on top of it, and obviously now our goal is to get the world record for the elapsed time as well.
“When you think about the fact that the six cylinder guys were only starting to do 222 mile per hour runs a few months ago it is pretty massive that we have been able to do it in a four cylinder car, and now we really want the world record in ET – as we have run that massive mile per hour we know the car has got it, we just have to get the first half of the track run sorted and we will be right.”
With the Brisbane Jamboree now run and won for another year, the action keeps on rolling on at Willowbank Raceway, with the team currently preparing for two events in two days this Father’s Day weekend.
On Saturday 6 September the latest round of the Street Series will be run, with local heroes across the Street Sedan, Street Bike and Powder Puff (ladies only) brackets continuing their season-long battle for a coveted Street Series trophy. For event information, please click here.
On Father’s Day Sunday (7 September) the track will be besieged by GM enthusiasts for the second-running of GM Mania – an event designed to celebrate all GM vehicles with on and off track activities, a show and shine, club and manufacturer displays and more. For more information, please click here.
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 including a full event calendar, please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au