LOCATION: Willowbank Raceway (Ipswich, QLD)
Image Credit: Senator Pauline Hanson at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival (2011) via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.
Federal Senator Pauline Hanson made a prominent appearance trackside today at the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, visiting teams and engaging directly with the grassroots motorsport community.
As documented across paddock updates this afternoon, Senator Hanson spent time in the pits connecting with local competitors, including multi-time Top Doorslammer champion John Zappia. Reflecting the reception in the lane, the Zappia Racing crew shared on Facebook post that their team was "quite chuffed to have Pauline Hanson visit us in the pits this afternoon" as they prepped their supercharged machinery for competition.
Team photo with Pauline Hanson: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CqmQDaQ8W/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway is currently hosting over 450 elite teams, serving as the absolute pinnacle of the Australian drag racing calendar this weekend.
While casual observers see a simple weekend photo-op, her presence underscores a critical reality for grassroots racing: long-term track survival requires high-level backing.
Willowbank itself is a prime blueprint. After decades of operating purely on volunteer passion, it took strategic federal engagement—including active advocacy from Senator Hanson to secure the historic $11 million grant that modernised this track.
When national figures engage with a paddock, it elevates motorsport from a local pastime to a protected piece of Australian cultural heritage. For grassroots tracks nationwide, the lesson is clear: building pristine professional standards and securing community backing is how we safeguard our racing future.
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1 comment
I love the Winternationals but the traffic management is becoming diabolical. After paying for a carpark as always we were re routed away from the track entry to a significant detour that goes down dirt back roads the other side of Queensland raceway to get out. I’d say a 20 minute unesesary detour we haven’t done before. Fair enough for non paying Parking, no happy