New track surface and challenges beckon for local eighth mile racer this weekend

Series winner Lawrie Fitzgerald to debut in Super Sedan

Roma's Laurie Fitzgerald is one racer who can't wait to see the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series return to the new-look Ironbark Raceway come Saturday 27 April 2013.

Fitzgerald was the Series champion for the 2012 FG Loy and Sons Earthmoving Old School Bracket and the 2010 Series champion in the Modified bracket and in 2013 will be debuting in a new bracket – Ice Slushee Super Sedan.

"This will be my third year competing in the JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series and my third different race bracket for the Series," said Fitzgerald.

"The category move sees me switch from my 2010 and 2012 Series winning Fiat into my Corvette. This weekend at Roma will be its first outing in full 'race trim', as at Warwick's opening round of the Eighth Mile Series we were still 'feeling the car out' a bit.

"When we get on track at Ironbark Raceway, we will look to have that done in qualifying, so we can go all-out when it comes to racing.

"As for the question of whether or not we can make it a third title in a third different category in this series – we will just keep on showing up and getting points and see how it goes, there are some pretty good racers in this bracket that will take some beating, but we will be doing our best!"

As a dedicated track local, Fitzgerald is particularly excited about the new track upgrades which over the past 12 months have brought a new track surface, installation of a new timing system, the sealing of return roads and pit areas, and the building of a new canteen to the Roma facility.

"We missed out on our Eighth Mile round in 2012 due to the track upgrades but from what I hear it has been more than worth it," said Fitzgerald.

"Unfortunately I was not at the Easter meeting held by Ironbark Raceway which saw the debut of the improvements, as I was at the Corvette Nationals - however everyone who did race at that event have been raving about it ever since, so I am really looking forward to getting out there and trying it out for myself.

"From what I can see the whole complex has had a facelift and I am told you can really notice the difference in the track surface, the timing system, and the general feel of the place.

"As a proud local, I can't wait to show it off to all the visiting racers when we host the second round of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series here on the 27th of April."

Fitzgerald and his fellow Ice Slushee Super Sedan racers will be joined on track at Ironbark Raceway on 27 April by the Diamond T Products Junior Dragster, FG Loy & Sons Earthmoving Old School, RD Williams Excavator Parts Modified, John William Auto Sales Super Street and Queensland Nameplate Group Modified Bike brackets.

Gates open at 8.00am on 27 April 2013 with qualifying from 11.00am to 4.00pm and racing from 5.00pm.

Following Ironbark Raceway' 27 April round two, the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series will head to Willowbank Raceway for round three on 3 August before the final round gets going at Benaraby Raceway on 28 September 2013.

For more information on the 2013 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 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