In three match races on Saturday June 6, Whincup and Lowndes will complete burnouts and race their actual V8 Supercars down the quarter mile during the largest drag racing event outside of North America.
Whincup, the reigning V8 Supercar champion, said he couldn?t wait to take his 640 horsepower TeamVodafone Supercar down the quarter mile.
"Winning the V8 Supercar championship last year was a big tick off my goal list and I am in the midst of defending that title, however drag racing my V8 Supercar isn?t something I ever thought I would get the chance to do," said Whincup.
"I am looking forward to what will be a very different experience ? it will be interesting to see how the ?Hogster? takes to the quarter mile.
"The top guys of the sport can do some pretty impressive burnouts before their lightening quick runs, so hopefully I can muster up some smoke to put on a good show for the fans and outdo Lowndesy at the lights!"
Three-time Australian Touring Car Champion and four-time Bathurst winner, Lowndes said he wouldn?t be letting his team-mate intimidate him at the starting tree.
"Jamie may be the reigning champion and he may be younger, but I still think I will be able to match him when it comes to the starting lights at Willowbank Raceway," said Lowndes.
"This is something neither of us have ever done before and it will be a challenge both for us and our cars, but one I am really looking forward to ? all forms of motorsport fascinate me and drag racing is certainly something I have had my eye on for some time.
"When Jamie and I aren?t concentrating on thrashing each other on the strip I am sure we will be catching lots of the action over the weekend. I am really looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and checking out the cars of the guys who do this for a living."
The pair?s date with their drag racing destiny will come the week following the Tasmanian round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and two weeks ahead of Darwin?s event.
Their team boss Roland Dane has worked with his crew to make this event one of the real highlights of the 2009 Australian motorsport year.
"This certainly isn?t what you would call routine preparation for either the boys or the cars, but it will be something I can see being a lot of fun and it will be good to mix it up before the TeamVodafone train heads up to the Territory," said Dane.
"Performing those burnouts for the crowd, attempting to cut a good light and then racing each other as fast as possible in a straight line to the finish line is sure to get the guys? blood boiling and that is just what we want ahead of what is sure to be an action-packed round at Hidden Valley."
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes is excited about welcoming the TeamVodafone pair to the action on Saturday, saying it will offer something different for the fans amongst an already bumper four-day program.
"To have Craig (Lowndes) and Jamie (Whincup) heading out to Willowbank Raceway and taking part in our largest event for the year is fantastic," said Bettes.
"I know the fans of Willowbank Raceway have an interest in all forms of motorsport and I am sure they will all be very excited to have the chance to not only see their V8 heroes in action, but perhaps get a chance to meet them, have a look around their setup and buy their merchandise all at their local drag strip.
"We have to thank Roland Dane for working with us on this concept and helping make it a reality."
Whincup, the reigning V8 Supercar champion, said he couldn?t wait to take his 640 horsepower TeamVodafone Supercar down the quarter mile.
"Winning the V8 Supercar championship last year was a big tick off my goal list and I am in the midst of defending that title, however drag racing my V8 Supercar isn?t something I ever thought I would get the chance to do," said Whincup.
"I am looking forward to what will be a very different experience ? it will be interesting to see how the ?Hogster? takes to the quarter mile.
"The top guys of the sport can do some pretty impressive burnouts before their lightening quick runs, so hopefully I can muster up some smoke to put on a good show for the fans and outdo Lowndesy at the lights!"
Three-time Australian Touring Car Champion and four-time Bathurst winner, Lowndes said he wouldn?t be letting his team-mate intimidate him at the starting tree.
"Jamie may be the reigning champion and he may be younger, but I still think I will be able to match him when it comes to the starting lights at Willowbank Raceway," said Lowndes.
"This is something neither of us have ever done before and it will be a challenge both for us and our cars, but one I am really looking forward to ? all forms of motorsport fascinate me and drag racing is certainly something I have had my eye on for some time.
"When Jamie and I aren?t concentrating on thrashing each other on the strip I am sure we will be catching lots of the action over the weekend. I am really looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and checking out the cars of the guys who do this for a living."
The pair?s date with their drag racing destiny will come the week following the Tasmanian round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and two weeks ahead of Darwin?s event.
Their team boss Roland Dane has worked with his crew to make this event one of the real highlights of the 2009 Australian motorsport year.
"This certainly isn?t what you would call routine preparation for either the boys or the cars, but it will be something I can see being a lot of fun and it will be good to mix it up before the TeamVodafone train heads up to the Territory," said Dane.
"Performing those burnouts for the crowd, attempting to cut a good light and then racing each other as fast as possible in a straight line to the finish line is sure to get the guys? blood boiling and that is just what we want ahead of what is sure to be an action-packed round at Hidden Valley."
Willowbank Raceway Managing Director Steve Bettes is excited about welcoming the TeamVodafone pair to the action on Saturday, saying it will offer something different for the fans amongst an already bumper four-day program.
"To have Craig (Lowndes) and Jamie (Whincup) heading out to Willowbank Raceway and taking part in our largest event for the year is fantastic," said Bettes.
"I know the fans of Willowbank Raceway have an interest in all forms of motorsport and I am sure they will all be very excited to have the chance to not only see their V8 heroes in action, but perhaps get a chance to meet them, have a look around their setup and buy their merchandise all at their local drag strip.
"We have to thank Roland Dane for working with us on this concept and helping make it a reality."
