The future of the Santo’s Super Thunder meeting at Willowbank Raceway scheduled for April 19 is under a cloud after Top Fuel Australia, the owner-driver body for the category, has declined to race at the venue after learning that a promised safety catch net would not be in place for the meeting.

TFA released a statement citing safety issues as the catalyst behind their decision.

“With the speed and power of our cars greater than ever before, catch fences are a vital piece of safety equipment and as such, Top Fuel Australia has made the difficult decision to decline the invitation from Willowbank Raceway to compete at the Easter event. The decision has not been made lightly and no one likes to disappoint our valued fans and supporters who have been looking forward to the race meet, but safety must always come first - we have seen and know what can happen.”

There were six entries for the one-day meeting. Reigning fuel champ Kelly Bettes, Rapisarda Autosport International trio Wayne Newby, Damien Harris and Ashley Sanford along with Sydney pair Phil Read and Peter Xiberras.  

Late last week Willowbank Raceway President, Tony Wedlock, said in a statement sent to all 400 Thunder Professional Racer Associations: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control including weather, curing time for the retaining posts, delays in obtaining engineering specifications and some hold up on State Government approvals the objective of having a single net in place at the Santo’s Super Thunder event is no longer a reality.” 

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