TRACK CHAMPIONS FOUND AT WILLOWBANK RACEWAY
27 October 2014
Willowbank Raceway has crowned its Street Series Track Champions for 2014, with Josh Fletcher (Street Sedan), Ken Rice (Street Bike) and Belinda Brockhurst (Powder Puff) all claiming honours across this week in the Street Series.
Brockhurst was the first to hoist a Track Championship trophy, taking the Powder Puff victory over runner-up Deb Mackay on Wednesday 22 October.
“This was my first time in the top eight, so to take out my first Street Series title is pretty great, I am very happy, it is still sinking in!” said Brockhurst, a 35 year old Public Servant from Bundamba who thanks the Larfield family, Hank Bowles and her husband for their support on-track this year.
“I was definitely not expecting to take it out, I was just excited to be in the top eight, and I can’t wait to get back in the Street Series next year and see if I can do it again.
“It has been a good year – both my husband Raymond and I won our first Street Series events this year and while there has been tough competition, it has been great – the competitors are the best thing about this Series, especially in the Powder Puff bracket, we always seem to be having a good laugh and a good night out at the track.”
On Saturday 25 October, the shootout began for Street Sedan and Street Bike, with Josh Fletcher taking the honours in Street Sedan from runner-up Ray Ross while Ken Rice took the win in Street Bike from runner-up Craig Banks.
For Fletcher, the weekend’s results represent his fifth Street Series title and his second consecutive Street Series title – furthering his standing as the most successful Street Series competitor to date.
“It is really a great feeling, a very satisfying feeling – I knew I would have a good chance heading to the weekend, but anything can happen in drag racing,” said Fletcher, who thanks Steve and peter from Horse Power Engineering, The Bolt King Capalaba, Lucas Oils, Fletchweld Engineering, Hi Reach Rentals and Performance Diffs for their support.
“I had some problems with the car leading up to the shootout but fortunately the old girl held together, I said before the meeting that I would take it one race at a time and that’s what I did, and it turned out to be my night!
“It has been another good year, there have been some new faces which is great for the series and hopefully that can continue next year with some big fields and great racing. To finish first in the points, win the shootout and run a personal best in the car was not a bad way to celebrate my car’s 40th,” said the 1974 LH Torana racer.
For 58 year old Process Manager Rice, of Churchill, the Street Bike title comes in his very first season in the Series.
“To get the win in my first season of racing the Street Bike series is just a great feeling,” said Rice, who thanks his wife Rose and also his friends and family for their support and encouragement, as well as the officials and other racers.
“I guess I had as good of a chance as anybody on the day, I did come into the event feeling in good form as the previous weekend I wrapped up the Brisbane Harley Owners Group drag racing series, but there are never any guarantees in DYO racing.
“It was really great having two Harleys in the final – Craig Banks is a great guy, and it was also his first year of racing – I would have been nearly as happy for him to have won it, nearly!
“I have really enjoyed the racing and the camaraderie with all the other competitors this season. I had thought that if I made the top eight that that would be good enough, so to come away with the Series win has just surpassed all my expectations.”
With the Street Series now run and won for 2014, attentions will turn to the final round for the 2014 Queensland Drag Racing Championship (QDRC), which will hit Willowbank Raceway on Saturday 15 November. Hosting the QDRC SuperComp, QDRC Comp Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services QDRC Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Modified Bike, Junior Dragster and Super Gas brackets, gates will open at 7.00am, with qualifying from 10.00am and racing from 4.00pm. For the latest 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