Willowbank Raceway's Invitation To Corporate Australia
Wednesday, 27 June 2007

The future is exactly where Queensland's Willowbank Raceway is looking as it seeks to consolidate its position as a premier event location in Australia.

Integral to that is the first-time offering, since the drag racing facility began operations in 1985, for a potential naming rights partner to come on board with one of Australia's premier drag racing facilities.

Interest is being sourced from the business sector throughout the country and there's no doubt any successful entity would benefit from such an association.

The opportunity to become a part of 120 annual event race days, including four major National championship drag racing events, headlined by the Winternationals and Australian Nationals is one not to be missed by corporate Australia.

An average 312 track rentals are also allocated and naming rights sponsorship would strategically position an organisation to direct exposure through more than 130 000 visitations annually.

In the more recent past Willowbank Raceway has employed media and marketing sub-contractors to assist with the greater promotion of its brand and multitude of event activities.

"Championship drag racing is undergoing a massive change in Australia, with bigger crowds and bigger business all coming on board with one of the country's fastest growing sports," said Willowbank Raceway General Manager Steve Bettes.

"At the cutting edge is Willowbank Raceway, drag racing's finest, universally recognised as one of the very best drag racing facilities in the world.

"Our facility continues to gain recognition from visiting International drivers and riders and as the host of the biggest drag racing event outside North America during the Winternationals there is plenty for Willowbank to be proud of.

"There is always something happening at the drag strip with regular driving schools, corporate days, track test days and general grass roots activities coordinated on a daily basis so there's much to be gained from becoming a naming rights supporter of Willowbank Raceway.

"Willowbank Raceway is one of the last major sporting facilities left in Queensland that can offer up a naming rights opportunity.

"We are currently speaking with a number of interested parties but the door is wide open for corporate Australia to investigate what this opportunity can mean for them.

This unique opportunity comes hot on the heels of a highly successful 40th Castrol EDGE Winternationals which has been declared a resounding success by Willowbank Raceway officials.

Bettes has confirmed attendances over the three day Queen's birthday weekend carnival at almost 35 000 people.

There is certainly room for further growth of the event, particularly as scattered showers throughout Southern Queensland on the Saturday morning had an adverse effect on overall attendances.

Not withstanding that, there was still a near capacity turn out of 20 000 people for Sunday's elimination finals and coupled with a healthy Friday and Saturday roll up of fans, Willowbank Raceway has reconfirmed its drag racing showpiece as the biggest and most hotly contested drag racing event in the southern hemisphere.

Momentum continues over coming months as officials gear up to offer another first class drag racing event spectacular during the 42nd Australian Nationals on September 14-16.

This event marks the start of another big season for Queensland's home of drag racing.

The annual Australian Nationals was secured to Queensland in 2002 with the support of Queensland Events Corporation under its Major Events portfolio.

Such support has allowed Willowbank Raceway to maintain its reputation as one of the premier tracks in Australia.

Willowbank officials will use the 42nd Australian Nationals as an appropriate springboard towards a revamped 10-month program of drag racing events.

"It's great to see the sport of drag racing experiencing such great outcomes for the pinnacle event on the annual calendar and I'm sure this will have a flow-on effect in Queensland for all future major events at our facility," said Willowbank Raceway General Manager Steve Bettes.

"The record 85 entries across the six Group One professional categories at the Castrol EDGE Winternationals shows the growth within the industry and this is bound to assist with the sports gr owing popularity.

"Coupled with the excellent attendance figures across the three days of the event, we again experienced more than 1.3 million hits on the www.willowbank-raceway.com.au website as fans logged on to check on the progress of their favourite drivers and riders."

"The total package is a great advertisement for the sport, Willowbank Raceway and the entire Ipswich region. Moving forward we expect bigger and better things during the 2007/08 season.

"No doubt the 42nd Australian Nationals dateline has been marked down by drag racing fans across the country and we can look forward to a successful start to the 2007/08 ANDRA Championship drag racing season.

While it may be considered the off-season so far as Australian drag racing is concerned, Willowbank Raceway will continue to be a hive of activity leading into the start of the 42nd Australian Nationals on September 14-16.

The Nationals will be preceded by the Fast Four Jamboree o n August 25/26, while the Nostalgia drag racing Nationals is also booked in for August 19.

Any organisation wanting to make further enquiries regarding the naming rights sponsorship opportunity at Queensland''s Willowbank Raceway is asked to call Steve Bettes at the Raceway on 07 5461 5403.

Internet sites www.willowbank-raceway.com.au