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Bray
Vs Lamattina In Junior Dragster Shootout Australian drag racing legends Phil Lamattina and Ben Bray will add a twist to their Castrol EDGE Winternationals preparations next month – swapping their high-powered machines for pint-sized Junior Dragsters as part of the Cosmic Enterprises Junior Dragster Challenge at Willowbank Raceway on May 30. Current Top Fuel Championship leader Lamattina and Top Doorslammer stand-out and three-time National Champion Ben Bray will be faced with a squeeze come race day, with their adopted racers normally piloted by those still in school uniform. Lamattina and Bray will take the wheel of Cody Grohn’s Wallace Bishop Jeweller’s Junior Jem and a Donnelly Blasting Services machine respectively, for the special match race in support of the class for eight to 16 year olds, which is regularly referred to as the future of Australian drag racing. “It’s all about the kids,” said Lamattina. “Those junior racers are the future of our sport and when I was asked to be part of the Junior Challenge there was no way I could say no. “Our Top Fuel team goes racing as a family and that’s exactly what Junior Dragster racing is about, families having fun together. “I’m really looking forward to spending the day with them all and it’s going to be a lot of fun going head to head with Ben. “We’re both very competitive people so it’ll be full on. I’ve never even sat in a Junior Dragster so I’ll be chasing plenty of advice from the kids before we run.” In contrast to Lamattina’s experience, Bray is no stranger to the Junior category, and is looking forward to getting back to his drag racing roots after starting his long career in the class. “My time in Juniors was incredible fun and taught me a lot about racing along with winning and losing which are all part of the game,” said Bray. “Phil and I just want to encourage the kids to enjoy their racing and have a good time. “The match race should be a blast. It might be squeeze but it’ll be a bit of a buzz to get back into a Junior Dragster. “I’ve never raced against Phil and with him running in Top Fuel I never really thought I’d get the chance. I better make the most of it and whip his butt.” Scheduled for the weekend prior to the 2009 Castrol Edge Winternationals, the inaugural Cosmic Enterprises Australian Junior Dragster Challenge will provide an estimated 50 to 60 Junior Dragster racers and their families from all over Australia with the opportunity to compete in multiple race brackets over a full day’s racing. The day’s action will then be followed by the presentation BBQ and family entertainment, including fireworks, providing a relaxed, fun racing atmosphere and the perfect Castrol EDGE Winternationals preparation. Organised by Cosmic Enterprises with the strong support of Willowbank Raceway and Lifestyle Australia, along with a host of bracket and special award sponsors, the event is being run on a non-profit basis with all sponsorship going to provide prizes, gift bags, catering and entertainment for the competitors and their families. For event information log on to www.willowbankraceway.com.au or www.cosmicenterprises.com.au EVENT
INFO: Cosmic Enterprises Junior Dragster Challenge
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