Late Rush Of Entries for Global Info-Links Australian Nationals

Willowbank Raceway's office is geared up to handle a late rush of entries for the fast approaching Global Info-Links Australian Nationals. Being held over three days on January 17th to 19th, entries for the event close this Friday, January 4th. Already over 200 teams from all over Australia have nominated to contest the country's longest running drag racing event, but almost as many entry forms as that again are expected to flood in this week as competitors get into action after the holiday break.

"The final week before the close of entries is always the busiest and with the timing of the Christmas-New Year Holidays it's likely to be even more so," said Raceway President John Winterburn. "A lot of teams have left things until after the break and they will all be coming in now. Some people have looked on the internet at the list of nominations received so far and been concerned about the absence of some of the big name racers but we're not worried at all.

"For example, in the popular Hog's Breath Cafe Top Doorslammer class, there were only six entrants listed this morning but we know of another nine we can expect in the next few days which will give us one of the strongest fields ever. All our preparations are well on track and we're looking forward to a really great event. This is the 36th running of the Australian Nationals and we are determined to make its first appearance at Willowbank Raceway in eleven years the best Nationals in history.

"With the backing of people like Global Info-Links, the Queensland Events Corporation and all our sponsors, we are able to put a lot more resources into the event than ever before. We'll be releasing information about new features being added right throughout the leadup to the opening day on January 17th. It can't come soon enough for everyone associated with the race meeting."

Ticket sales are also accelerating as the Global Info-Links Australian Nationals draw closer with reserved grandstand seating once again proving popular. Karen Oberg of the raceway's marketing team has reported strong demand for Corporate Boxes with only one, 18 seat box currently not booked. "A number of companies expressed strong interest in making bookings before Christmas but didn't get back to us before the break. Now I guess it'll be a case of first come, first served for the remaining box. Fortunately, we've still got some room in the Bendigo Bank Corporate Club so those that miss out will probably still be able to be looked after there."

Global Info-Links Named As Sponsor Of Australian Nationals

Willowbank Raceway and Queensland's biggest locally owned internet service provider, Global Info-Links, announced on Friday an agreement naming Global Info Links as the title sponsor of the raceway's prestigious Australian Nationals Drag Racing Titles event, which will be called the "2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals". To be held over three days from the 17th to 19th of January, the event will attract competitors and spectators from all over Australia and overseas. Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the first running of the prestigious event at Ipswich's Willowbank Raceway since 1991.

"The Australian Nationals is Australia's oldest championship drag racing meeting, having been first run in 1965. Willowbank Raceway is delighted to have gained the rights to host the prestigious event after a period of 10 years when it has been held in Victoria. When we started the search to find a sponsorship partner at the event naming rights level, we were looking for a new sponsor that could bring very real marketing power to our drag racing activities," said Willowbank president John Winterburn. "There is no doubt in anyone's mind that with the promotional and marketing weight of the Global Info-Links brand we have found that perfect mix.

"With this new partnership, Willowbank is well positioned to build the 2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals into a fitting, warm weather match for the raceway's already hugely successful Konica Winternationals. The internet reach and technical expertise of Global Info-Links will greatly assist us to introduce the awesome power and intensity, of championship drag racing to an even larger audience," continued Winterburn.

Global Info-Links has been Willowbank Raceway's ISP of choice since it launched it's highly popular internet site in 1995. The site currently attracts up to a million hits per year, making it one of the most accessed of all web sites hosted by GIL. As part of the agreement, Global Info-Links will be publicised as the official ISP of Willowbank Raceway. In addition to hosting the www.willowbank-raceway.com.au site, Global Info-Links will also be providing technical assistance to dramatically enhance the services provided on the site to include many new features.

"Drag racing is an ideal medium to further Global Info-Links' efforts to grow it's position as the largest Queensland owned internet service provider," said Neil McPhillips, Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Willowbank Raceway to bring the 2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals to new heights and support drag racing's large and loyal fan base with new and innovative marketing initiatives. Drag racing's competitors and fans alike have a demonstrated enthusiasm for new technologies and are an ideal market for the services provided by Global Info-Links."

Global Info-Links (GIL) provides fast, reliable low-cost access to the internet. GIL's services now extend further afield to areas such as Esk, Boonah, Laidley, Gatton, Beaudesert, Logan and offering a variety of plans (and rates). GIL also provides roaming accounts that allow subscribers to travel interstate and connect at the cost of a local call.

GIL is the largest Queensland owned internet service provider. Established in 1994, GIL has grown to become one of South East Queensland's premier ISP's, providing services to tens of thousands of customers.

In addition to Global Info-Links naming rights to the titles, the raceway's extremely popular "Supercharged Outlaws" category will carry the "iTEL" name at the event. With iTEL Community Telco Limited currently preparing to launch onto the market, the 2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals is seen as an ideal platform through which to make the wider community more aware of the benefits iTEL will soon bring to telecommunications consumers.

In addition to being witnessed by tens of thousands of people at Willowbank Raceway, the 2002 Global Info-Links Australian Nationals will also be featured in three separate episodes of Willowbank Raceway's "Drag Racing" program broadcast by Channel Seven and Foxsports. The three, different, hour long, highlights packages will feature all the professional categories of the sport as well as the sportsman finals and are expected to be broadcast in late February and March.