Mark Wacker: “I have been involved in the motorcycle industry for 30 years”
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Nov 08, 2007
BAM Media
Willowbank Raceway will host its inaugural Motorcycle Shootout Event on November 17th, with 10 categories of Motorcycle action on the bill.
With battles aplenty already assured for fans, one they should keep their eye on in particular is that between Mark Wacker and his 19 year old son Jesse, who will be duelling it out in the Modified Bike and Screamin’ Eagle Harley categories.
The third generation owner of Brisbane’s Morgan and Wacker Harley Davidson Dealer – which as it celebrates its 90th anniversary is the oldest motorcycle dealer in Australia and the oldest Harley Davidson dealer outside of the US – Mark Wacker is looking forward to Willowbank Raceway’s first ever Motorcycle shootout.
“I have been involved in the motorcycle industry for 30 years, and our business has dabbled in every form of racing it has ever sold products for so when drag racing came on the scene with Harley Davidson’s specially designed performance engine parts, I jumped at the chance, ” said Wacker.
“I donned a set of leathers and since then have never looked back, and with a dad like theirs it was no surprise that both my boys Jesse and his older brother Chris were keen to get into racing at the first opportunity.
“Now all three of us compete in the Screamin’ Eagle Harley and Modified Bike categories, with the last meeting we went to seeing us all have to line up against each other for the first time.
“Jesse and his older brother Chris went head-to-head, and then Chris had to line up against me.
“To win against Chris was great as being on the wrong side of 40 it felt good to still take one over the young’uns.
“It was the first time we had actually been forced to run against each other, and you never know, the same scenario may just present itself at Willowbank Raceway next weekend. “
Despite oldest son Chris missing out on the festivities on November 17th due to other commitments interstate, father and son Mark and Jesse are sure to turn on a show for the fans aboard their Morgan Wacker Harley Davidsons.
The Morgan Wacker Harley Davidson team is the largest drag racing bike team in Australia when it comes to shear numbers of bikes on the track, and will be out in force during next weekend’s inaugural Motorcycle Shootout at Wilowbank Raceway.
Competition Bike, Modified Bike, Screamin’ Eagle Harleys, the 124 Challenge Series, the Pro Gas Series, the Hot Street Push Rod, Outlaw Sports Bikes, Harley Owners Group, Street Bike Shootout and Sports Bikes will all be there to create some red hot drag racing action for the fans.
Tickets are at the gate on the day with free parking for spectators, Adults are $18.00, Students with ID are $16.00 and children 13 years and under are free. Gates open at 9.00am with qualifying at 10.00am til 4.00pm and racing from 5.00pm.
Competitors can enter for just $55.00 (admits three people) with no pre-entries available, enter on the day. Dealer trade displays, motorcycle trade dispays and club displays are also available, contact Willowbank Raceway on (07) 5461 5461 for more information.
The inaugural event will serve as a major preliminary towards Willowbank Raceway’s Top Fuel Challenge – the Australian Championship Round of the Top Fuel, Top Alcohol and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories, to be held over January 4 and 5.
The New Year Top Fuel extravaganza at Willowbank Raceway delighted spectators during the 2007 running of the event, which saw the quickest side-by-side pass in the history of Australian Top Fuel drag racing at the time set when Phil Read’s 4.66 seconds (317 mph/ 511 km/h) proved just too good for Allan Dobson who turned in a 4.71 second effort (306 mph/ 494 km/h) in the final.
The overall performance over the two days reaffirmed Australian drag racing’s position as the best competition outside the professional ranks of North America and continued to enhance the reputation of Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway.
