Winternationals Sparks Up Ipswich

[SpoolMan]

There is no better time to book a visit to Ipswich in Queensland's South-East as Willowbank Raceway's Castrol Edge Winternationals accelerates the City's annual Carnival of Horsepower celebrations on
June 9-11.

Considered one of Australia's major hubs of motor racing activity, Ipswich is expected to attract in excess of 40 000 people during
Willowbank's three-day drag racing extravaganza.

Already Raceway officials have been inundated with enquiries and
lucrative bookings for its annual showpiece.

Early signs suggest the 2006 Castrol Edge Winternationals may surpass
all expectations.

"The Winternationals is Australian drag racing's blue ribbon event where National Championship titles will be won and lost over three days of intense competition," said Willowbank Raceway General Manager Steve
Bettes.

"Already six tiers of our reserved Grandstand seating area have all but filled up and such has been the response to our corporate options we've
had to instigate a contingency plan to cater to demand.

"We've always maintained a focus on providing a family friendly environment at our drag racing events and our viewing mound area is ideally suited for parents and children to enjoy all the high speed
thrills."

In the technologically rich environment of the 21st century, International drag racing fans have voted the Winternationals a must-see event via the internet, as the 2005 feature contributed to a phenomenal
increase on web site hits at www.willowbank-raceway.com.au

There were 1,096,568 hits on the Willowbank site from the preceding Wednesday to the following Monday of the 2005 Winternationals, a huge increase over the same period of the 2004 Winternationals which drew
398,207 hits.

This proved an historic occasion for Willowbank Raceway as it marked the first time web site hits had totaled more than one million during the
six-day statistical period.

Bringing everything into perspective for the sport of drag racing in Queensland, total web site hits for www.willowbank-raceway.com.au in the 12 months of 2002 managed just 1,336,718, while in 2005 there was a marked total increase to 5,959,798 at a monthly average of more than
half a million web site hits.

"We're on the crest of a definite spiral in popularity for the sport of drag racing and there's no doubt an event such as the 2006 Castrol Edge Winternationals can only enhance that reputation," added Bettes.

"The event has become an iconic symbol of International motorsport over the past 38 years and we expect this year's event will positively impact
on the local economy as we welcome State-wide, National and
International visitors to Ipswich.

"It's an exciting time for drag racers and fans alike so we encourage anyone wishing to take up on our grandstand seating offer to act quickly
to avoid disappointment.

"There are less than six weeks to go before the start of the Winternationals so places are bound to fill quickly as we look to
celebrate another exciting year of drag racing."



WILLOWBANK WINTERNATIONALS - JUNE 9-11

Racing Includes: Top Fuel, Deno's Cranes Top Alcohol, Jack Daniels Top Doorslammer, Travelaire Tours Pro Stock, Morgan & Wacker Top Bike, QT Pro Stock Motorcycle, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Competition, Lifestyle Carpets & Vinyl Super Stock, Morgan & Wacker Competition Bike, Carpenter Ford Supercharged Outlaws, Bailey's Brake & Clutch Modified, Ultimate Financial Group Super Sedan, Torque's Cheap Performance & Wholesale Cars Super Street, Muzzys Pro Kawasaki Modified Bike, Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster, Powercruise #7 Super Gas, Morgan & Wacker
Screamin' Eagle Harleys, Perfect Print Light of the Night

TICKETING

Adult

General Admission $34

3 day pit admission $100

2 day pit admission $80

1 day pit admission $43


Student (must show ID)

General Admission $20

3 day pit admission $70

2 day pit admission $54

1 day pit admission $29

Children 13 & under are admitted free


PROGRAM

Friday 9th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Saturday 10th Qualifying 9am -9pm
Sunday 11th Racing 9.00am with feature racing from 3pm



story from NMD.