SPRING CHAMPS CONCLUDE WITH FIREY FINISH

The Spring Top Fuel Championships have concluded in spectacular style this evening, with pristine Queensland weather conditions greeting spectators at the final day of the inaugural event which has kicked off the revamped 2008/2009 major event calendar for Willowbank Raceway.

The final and firey pass of the evening was completed by the Top Fuel bracket, with Alan Dobson lined-up against Martin Stamatis after a semi-final upset which saw current national champion Phil Read lose out to Dobson - stopping him from heading to what could have been his eighth consecutive finals appearance at Willowbank Raceway.

With firey engine explosions on both sides of the track, when it came to the line Dobson was the winner with a pass of 5.79 seconds at 154.59 miles per hour.

“That was a beautiful thing,” enthused Dobson.

“The adrenalin is really pumping and I am just so proud of the team and am so happy to have just had the opportunity to get through to the finals and to run against someone like Martin who I grew up racing against.

“Strong teams are really like families and that is what my team is, and I guess you could say the best family won tonight and I am really excited about that.”

In Pro Stock, Bundaberg brothers Tyronne and Aaron Tremayne continued their dominance to face off against each other in the finale, with Tyronne taking the win with a 7.11s pass at 166.49mph in a run reminiscent of the Castrol EDGE Winternationals where Tyronne took the event title and Aaron the championship.

Tyronne’s result comes after an especially impressive weekend in which he headed up the quickest Pro Stock field in Australia (with a bump spot of 7.193 seconds bettering the previous of 7.22 seconds) while also running a new fastest Pro Stock pass at 193.80mph.

“It was great to be able to come out here and take the win tonight after the Winternationals result, it has been a great weekend and this really tops it off nicely,” said Tyronne Tremayne.

While the finale was impressive, the Pro Stock semi-final also drew gasps from the crowd with younger Tremayne brother Aaron having to take evasive action, twice, when Lee Betkash, who started in the left lane, turned hard right in the braking area after his chutes appeared to open late, careering into the right hand wall in front of the Tremaniac car before returning back to his lane into which Aaron had moved to avoid the damaged car. Luckily while some damage was done to the car Betkash and Aaron were unharmed.

“It was great to see Tyronne get the win, we both went out hard, I would have liked to have my car working a bit better but that’s how it is and the team got a good result,” said Aaron Tremayne.

“With Lee (Betkash) it was definitely a ‘whoa’ moment and I can’t wait to see the footage but it all worked out okay with no one getting hurt so that is the main thing.”

While it was an all Tremayne finale in Pro Stock, it was Stevens all around in Top Bike, however in this case it was team boss Brett Stevens facing off against team-mate Kim Stevens (no relation) with the latter taking victory.

Kim has joined the Brett Stevens Racing Team full-time for the 2008/2009 season, and with his win this evening has made an immediate impression by taking out “The Boss”.

“This is just fantastic to take the win for the Brett Stevens Racing team and Mack Trucks in the first fully completed round of the 2008/2009 Championship,” said Kim Stevens.

“The competition in Top Bike is just so tight now, but we have been able to step up to the plate and deliver the goods this weekend.

“I would like to thank Brett and Mack for the opportunity to get back in the riders seat full time and I hope to keep the ball rolling for the rest of season.”

While unsuccessful in the Top Bike finale, Stevens will have to wait until January to see if he can lay claim to the Top Alcohol Spring Top Fuel Championships trophy, with the final postponed until the next round of the category at Willowbank Raceway due to the extensive clean-up required following the Top Fuel final run.

When the final is run, Stevens will line up against fellow South East Queenslander Steve Reed after setting a new National Top Alcohol Funny Car speed record in the first round of eliminations with a 260.27 mile per hour pass, which was backed-up by his 258.47mph pass in qualifying yesterday.

In other racing, victory went to Tony Wallce in Super Street, Mark Eadie (Modified), Anthony Buckley (Lifestyle Floorcoverings Competition), David Rundmann (Custom Central Competition Bike), Nino Cavallo (Lifestyle Floorcoverings Super Stock), Rod Harvey (McKern & Associates Super Compact), Matty Watts (Crossroads Freightlines Supercharged Outlaws), Geoff Campbell-Brown (Ascar Pro Street), Blaze Hansen (Queensland Diesel Spares Junior Dragster), Alex Tukavkin (Californian Image Modified Bike), Simon Isherwood (Super Gas) and Earl McCallum in Super Sedan.

For full results please visit results.willowbank-raceway.com.au. This weekend’s Spring Top Fuel Championships kicked off a new season for Queensland drag racing which will feature a bumper five major Professional Group One events, including the return of the International Nightfire New Year Series with two nitro spectaculars in January.

WILLOWBANK RACEWAY MAJOR EVENT CALENDAR 2008 / 2009 SEASON

SEPTEMBER 26/27, 2008 – SPRING TOP FUEL CHAMPIONSHIPS
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Alcohol – Pro Stock – Top Bike PLUS Rocket Allstar Racing Series Round – Group 2,3,4

JANUARY 2/3, 2009 - INTERNATIONAL NIGHTFIRE NEW YEAR SERIES - ROUND ONE
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Alcohol - Top Doorslammer – Pro Stock Motorcycle - PLUS USA vs AUST Nitro Funny Car

JANUARY - 16 / 17, 2009 – INTERNATIONAL NIGHTFIRE NEW YEAR SERIES - ROUND TWO
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Bike - PLUS USA vs AUST Nitro Funny Car

APRIL 17 / 18, 2009 – TIN TOP TITLES
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Doorslammer – Pro Stock – Pro Stock Motorcycle

NEW DATE - JUNE 4/5/6/7, 2009 - CASTROL EDGE WINTERNATIONALS
ANDRA Championship Rounds - Top Fuel – Top Alcohol – Top Doorslammer – Top Bike – Pro Stock – Pro Stock Motorcycle – PLUS Rocket Allstar Racing Series Round – Group 2,3,4