News Item: : SHEEHAN CONFIRMED FOR NITRO FUNNY CAR ROUND TWO
(Category: Misc)
Posted by Russell
Monday 11 January 2010 - 06:50:37AM
West Australian Nitro Funny Car racer Mark Sheehan will compete at round two of the 2010 USA vs AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday January 16.
The battle for national pride is part of the two-round International New Year Series at the Ipswich quarter-mile, and Sheehan returns after being a standout performer at the 2009 running of the challenge.
Sheehan joins Damien Harris – who claimed the glory at this year’s opening round, Ricky Steffens and Chris Stipanovich in taking on American Jack Wyatt for round two.
“We are so excited to be coming back to Willowbank and to be a part of round two after a busy Christmas period and other commitments saw us unable to participate in the opening round,” said Sheehan.
“While I understand Jack (Wyatt) struggled with set up at round one, they are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with at round two.
“Anyone that races a Nitro Funny Car in the US is obviously on the ball, and as soon as they figure out where they need to be and with someone like Densham in the background guiding them – they will be a tough run and won’t be messing about.
“The other Aussie competitors will also be great to run against, Harris especially was very strong at round one and when I ran with him in Perth on Boxing Day. That whole team has been working extremely hard year-round and they are right up there.”
In 2009, Sheehan was a ‘rookie’ to America’s Densham, however wowed the crowd by beating the veteran of 40 years experience to the line in the round-one final.
That was followed up with another final appearance for round two, where he was relegated to the runner-up spot for striking a timing block on his way to crossing the line two thousands of a second ahead of Densham.
With 2009 still fresh in his mind and a recent record-making appearance in Perth in his back pocket, Sheehan is determined to take home the win for the final round of the 2010 challenge at Willowbank Raceway.
“Our aim is to get out there and put down three consistent, solid passes, and if we take home the trophy we left there last year through my own mistake that would be a bonus – I have already been warned by my crew chief to stay away from the timing blocks!” laughed Sheehan.
“We will be giving it our all that is for sure, and it would be great to take out the win – the USA vs AUS side of it is another feather in your hat so to speak, and one that would be great for us to take away after our stoush with Gary at last year’s event.
“The main things for us though will be consistency, and putting on a great show – that is what we are about and what we will be aiming for next Saturday.”
Sheehan was recently part of the quickest and fastest Australian Nitro Funny Car pass in the country when he and fellow USA vs AUS Down Under challenger Harris shot down the Perth quarter-mile at 4.99s at 479kmh and 5.04s at 499kmh respectively.
Sheehan and Harris will be joined by Ricky Steffens and Chris Stipanovich as the Aussies take on American Jack Wyatt next Saturday.
The January 16 event is the second and final round of the International New Year Series at Willowbank Raceway, featuring the USA vs AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge.
Round One was recently completed on January 2, with the Australians drawing first blood with Glenella’s Damien Harris the standout for the event, setting up a mammoth rematch for national pride on January 16.
Also taking to the track will be the 16 car field of Pro Street as well as the leading names of Pro FX, the Gary Densham v Peter Leahy Nostalgia Match Races and a bumper support program.
The event will also feature fireworks and free children’s rides, with children 13 and under gaining free admission with a paying adult – making the International New Year Series the perfect family event this January holiday season.
For full details of upcoming events at Willowbank Raceway, including the International New Year Series, visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
UPCOMING EVENT INFORMATION: INTERNATIONAL NEW YEAR SERIES: ROUND TWO – JANUARY 16, 2010
Featuring the USA vs AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge and the Turbocharged, High Tech, 6 second 300kmh PRO FX Coupes, as well as Pro Street, Supercharged Outlaws, Dragsters, Hot Sedans and Motorbikes and a round of the South East Queensland Community Telco Willowbank Raceway Track Championship.
Tickets
Adult Admission - $45.00
Student (with ID) Admission - $35.00
Startline Club Seat (excludes admission) - $15.00
Bendigo Bank Adrenalin Club (includes admission) $77.00
Schedule
Sportsman qualifying from 7.30am
Nitro Funny Car qualifying at 2.30pm
Racing from 3.30pm
Nitro Funny Car racing at 6.00pm, 8.00pm and 10.00pm
For more information and to purchase tickets
For more event information and to purchase tickets, please visit
www.willowbankraceway.com.au
This news item is from Dragmania
( http://dragmania.com.au/comment.php?comment.news.comment.895 )
