Celebrities Race For Charity

Angus Mac Master

Apr 16, 2008

The celebrities of the Toyota Celebrity Drag Race for Charity, to be held during this weekend’s Castrol EDGE Tin Top Titles at Willowbank Raceway, have spent today being tutored by the stars of the sport while enjoying some practice runs at the Ipswich facility aboard the Toyota TRD Aurions they will pilot on Saturday.

The Castrol EDGE Tin Tops Titles kick off tomorrow (Friday, continuing Saturday) and will for the first time feature 16 car fields in both the professional Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock categories, during the eliminations of which the celebrities will dual it out for the inaugural Celebrity Charity Challenge trophy and to claim the prize money for their nominated charity.

Stepping up to the mark on Saturday evening will be Socceroo, Queensland Roar defender and former English Premier League soccer player Danny Tiatto, Australia’s strongest man ‘Thunder’ (aka Derek Boyer) of the blockbuster television program ‘Gladiators’, Gold Coast Blaze Centre and world champion NBL player Ben Melmeth and three-time and reigning Australian Ironman Champion and 2002 World Ironman Champion Shannon Eckstein.

“There is nothing I can think of to do today that is better than this, that was just fantastic. I am really looking forward to getting out there on Saturday and trying to learn as much as I can – I am just in awe of these guys (Victor and Ben Bray, John Barbagallo, Tony Wedlock),” enthused Boyer after his runs today. Boyer is racing in support of the Morgan Marshall Appeal.

“I only just fit into the car, but lucky for me the Toyota’s have a fair bit of a leg room, it is just the helmet and the roof you have to worry about!” laughed 6 foot 10” Melmeth, who is carrying the hopes of the Salvation Army on his broad shoulders.

“They really get up and go, that was great fun and I am really looking forward to getting to it on Saturday and hopefully beat these guys,” said Eckstein, who will donate his win to Surf Lifesaving Queensland if victorious.

“These things are quick, and I think I have it over these other guys a bit as I have done a bit of this in the past around the traps, so its going to be on come Saturday,” laughed Tiatto, who is racing in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The celebrities had the benefit of expert tutorage today with Top Doorslammer legends Victor and Ben Bray, Pro Stock identity John Barbagallo and the manager of the Toyota TRD Aurions and owner of the world’s fastest Camry Tony Wedlock keeping a watchful eye on the guest racers.

“The guys are all really keen and asking lots of questions and taking the info on board, so I will be interested to see who comes out on top on Saturday night!” said Victor.

“It was great to come out and help these guys out, you could see they were all excited to get behind the wheel and do something that is so out-of-the-ordinary for them, so I was really happy to help them get the hang of the whole thing,” said Barbagallo.