Sarah ready to fly the flag for Warwick at Eighth Mile Series opener

Local Modified racer Sarah Glanville (Photo courtesy Phill Burchell)

The opening round of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series is expected to attract more than 100 racers from all over Queensland come February 9.

With a large amount of those coming from out of town, local racer Sarah Glanville is looking forward to the chance to race against unfamiliar faces at what she calls her 'second home'.

"My favourite part about the Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series is that it gives me the chance to race at my home track against competitors who usually wouldn't come out to Warwick," said Glanville, who competes in the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified Bracket.

"It really is a great series, and I am so glad it takes in Warwick Dragway – it is my home track, my home away from home, most of the time even if I am not racing that is where you can find me!"

"Warwick Dragway just has this great atmosphere I don't think you can find anywhere else, and the Eighth Mile Series really complements it well with its relaxed style."

Glanville has been racing for five years after debuting in the Junior Dragster category at the age of 15 and has plenty of home-track success to spur her on against the visitors.

"I won at my debut meeting at Warwick Dragway in 2008 at the Dragfest, and I also won the Warwick Dragway Track Championship in 2011 for the street bracket and was runner-up in 2012 for the modified bracket," said the 20 year old graphic designer.

"I got into the sport thanks to my dad, he raced modified and supercharged outlaws cars when I was young and I have just grown up in it.

"Today, I love the great friendships I have made through the sport, getting to spend time with my dad doing something we really enjoy and of course the adrenalin and the speed!

"As far as being a 'girl racer', I get asked about that quite a bit but it truly doesn't bother me – my dad taught me that when racing, you are only racing yourself and therefore it doesn't matter who is in the other lane."

After starting off her love of the sport, for Glanville her family's support still has a vital role to play in her racing success.

"Dad has taught me everything I know, and I really can't thank him and my mum enough for all of their support, funding and just being there for me so I can do what I love," said Glanville.

"Aside from Shirley Muldowney, the first woman to ever compete professionally in drag racing, my dad is definitely my racing idol for teaching me everything I know about drag racing and for getting me started.

"I should also thank him for letting me race what was originally his car, well it was until I kicked him out!" added a laughing Glanville.

"Thanks also needs to go to Jarrid Bartley, Scott Thompson, Tim and Pete Murphy, Phill Burchell and Garry Hill, Engine Masters Australia, Precise Automatics and Mike from Ice Slushee, for their ongoing support and assistance."

Glanville and the rest of the RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified bracket will be joined on track for Warwick's opening round of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series by the FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Old School, RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified, Ice Slushee Super Sedan, John William Auto Sales Super Street, Diamond T Products Junior Dragster and Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike brackets.

Gates open at 8.00am on 9 February 2013 with qualifying from 2.30pm to 6.00pm and racing from 7.00pm.

Following Warwick Dragway's opening round, the series will then head to Ironbark Raceway on 27 April for round two. Willowbank Raceway will host round three on 3 August before the final round gets going at Benaraby Raceway on 28 September 2013.

For more information on the 2012 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series, including information on rules, how to enter and the points system, please visit to www.willowbankraceway.com.au.

2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series

Calendar:

• Round One - 9 February, 2013: Warwick Dragway, Warwick QLD
• Round Two – 27 April, 2013: Ironbark Raceway, Roma QLD
• Round Three – 3 August, 2013: Willowbank Raceway, Willowbank QLD
• Final Round – 28 September, 2013: Benaraby Raceway, Gladstone QLD

Racing brackets:

• FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving OLD SCHOOL Bracket
• RD Williams Excavator Parts MODIFIED BRACKET
• Ice Slushee SUPER SEDAN BRACKET
• John William Auto Sales SUPER STREET BRACKET
• Queensland Nameplate Group MODIFIED BIKE BRACKET
• Diamond T Products JUNIOR DRAGSTER BRACKET