A family favourite event returns to Willowbank Raceway this Saturday night with an emphasis on up-close engagement for fans young and old alike.

The Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Series brings semitrailer loads full of nitro-burning race cars to Queensland with names such as Dark Horse, Nitro Express, Let’s Boogie and Stormtrooper along with champion drivers.

While the on-track performances are thrilling to behold thanks to their 3000 horsepower engines and 400kmh speeds, it will be off the track where series manager Morice McMillin will be trying to win over fans on the weekend.

“We are bringing the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Pit Party to Willowbank for the first time which will give fans the opportunity to get closer than ever before to the cars,” he said.

“Before racing we will be allowing fans to come into the pits and touch and feel these awesome race cars, sit inside them to see what the driver sees, and talk with the drivers. We want to give the kids some memories they’ll never forget.”

All of the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars will be sitting on the ground ready for close examination from young eyes, while drivers will be available for questions and photos throughout the party.

“Driving and maintaining a nitro-burning drag car can keep you very busy during the night,” McMillin said. “We pride ourselves on making the time for fans so this will be a great way to engage with our supporters before we enter into the pressure of race time. We wanted to step it up to the next level of interaction.”

Adding to the party atmosphere will be a two-lane horizontal bungee jump, face painting, free ice slushies and even an appearance from ‘Captain America’.

McMillin said hardcore drag racing fans shouldn’t miss the day, with 11 nitro-fuelled Funny Cars in total taking to the track, including hometown favourites Jake and Dan Donnelly. An added bonus will be the two ‘wheelstanders’, drag cars capable of carrying their front wheels for 400 metres at over 100kmh.

In addition to the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car show, the third round of the Queensland Drag Racing Championship will be running simultaneously, providing an action-packed evening of entertainment.

The Pit Party runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, with the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars on track at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. For more information check out www.willowbankraceway.com.au.

IMAGES COURTESY DRAGPHOTOS.COM.AU