NUMBER FIVE FOR LEXMARK INDY 300


The Lexmark Indy 300 continues to set major milestones by winning its fifth Queensland Tourism Award at the 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last night (17 November).

The Lexmark Indy 300 took out the prestigious award for the category Major Festivals and Special Events. It was also a winner of this award in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2005.

In 2002, the Lexmark Indy 300 was inducted into the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for winning the award for three successive years.

This year’s award for Major Festivals and Special Events recognised the Lexmark Indy 300’s achievements for the 2005 event.

A record crowd of 316, 459 witnessed Champ Cars and V8 Supercars headline an action-packed four day entertainment program on the Gold Coast, which injected more than $60 million into the Queensland economy.

Lexmark Indy 300 General Manager Greg Hooton said the presentation of a fifth Queensland Tourism Award capped off another magnificent year for the event.

“This year’s Queensland Tourism Award is tremendous recognition of the success that the Lexmark Indy 300 has had over the past 16 years and continues to have,” said Hooton.

“Each year the Lexmark Indy 300 just gets bigger and better. The planning and organisation of the event is first class, the teams and drivers love it, the region receives a massive tourism and economic injection and it showcases the beauty of Queensland and the Gold Coast to the world.

“I wish to acknowledge the work of our staff, the 1700 volunteers who dedicate their time over the event, the Queensland Government and our vital sponsors.”

The annual Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast is a partnership between the Queensland Government and IMG. The 2007 Lexmark Indy 300 will be held from October 18 to 21.

 


Scott Kalitta & Dave Grubnic Return To Burn This Boxing Day In Sydney!
Wednesday, 8 November 2006 - Posted by Dean Neal

(Sydney, NSW) The Western Sydney International Dragway is delighted to announce that NHRA Superstars 'Aussie' Dave Grubnic and Scott Kalitta will make a welcomed encore return at the 2nd Annual USA Boxing Day Nitro Thunder Top Fuel event at We stern Sydney Dragway, commencing on Boxing Day over two brutal days!

"The interest via teams from the NHRA this year was amazing and I can confidently say we will continue to develop this event in the near future and plans are already in place to make next year's Boxing Day event even bigger than this one will be," grinned WSID CEO Jim Read. "However, I was keen to bring Grubnic and Kalitta back, as they believe they can impress even more this year now they have some data on our track and know in greater detail the logistics and weather conditions presented here too."

The mere fact the NHRA Superstars are confident of even greater performances this year, after both drivers made it to the final at least year's inaugural event, certainly sends tingles down the spine!

Last season had it all with peddle jobs all the way down the quarter mile, 4-second passes in 100 degrees Fahrenheit heat and Grubnic scorching 4.6 second passes to boot!

The added bonu s of the BIGGEST Nitro field you will see this summer Down Under makes it an event simply too good to miss.

David Grubnic has had another strong season in the NHRA PowerADE Top Fuel Championship, claiming a round win early in the season at Gainesville, Florida.

Grubnic - like his Top Fuel team mate Doug Kalitta, is regarded as one of the finest 'peddlers' of a Top Fuel Dragster in the world, in other words an amazing ability to recover a car from hazing the tyres or tyre shake, to produce a strong pass regardless!

Aussie Dave also finished runner-up last season at WSID for the Boxing Day event and is determined to go one better this time around!

The return of Scott Kalitta in an 8,000 horsepower Top Fuel Dragster will certainly turn heads in Drag Racing the world over.

The past season has seen the Floridian based multi-NHRA event winner return to the ultra-demanding Nitro Funny Car class, where a slow and tough start has seen Kalitta now st art to really hit his straps late in the season, knocking over Championship contender Ron Capps on more than one occasion in recent weeks!

However, Scott Kalitta has always been awesome in a Top Fuel Dragster and he has no doubt he can hit his marks quickly come December 26 and 27 in Sydney!


USA Boxing Day Nitro Thunder
Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27.
Western Sydney International Dragway
Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek

- See USA-NHRA Top Fuel Superstars David Grubnic & Scott Kalitta take on Australia's best!
- ANDRA Championship Round for Top Fuel & Top Alcohol
- No limits 'run what ya brung' Top Doorslammer action for $15,000 prizemoney
- Spectator Gates Open 8:30am, Racing from 9am.