Queensland's reigning Konica V8 Supercar series titleholder and recently appointed 2004 Orrcon Racing car driver, Mark Winterbottom is set for a methane-charged change of pace at Willowbank Raceway next weekend.

The 22-year old has booked a seat beside Australian drag racing's Pro Stock front-runner Tony Wedlock as part of a huge day/night, new year program that features Top Fuel and Top Alcohol professional brackets.

"There's always that underlying desire for power and speed that people involved in motorsport possess and when we offered Mark the opportunity for a drive with Tony he jumped at the chance," said Willowbank Raceway General Manager Harry Rowsell.

"As the Ford young gun settles into his new role under the direction of Mark Larkham following a highly successful year with Stone Brothers Racing, I'm sure he'll appreciate the chance to hang loose in the passengers seat during our huge new year program.


Winterbottom will shape up for his full debut season in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship series after impressing during the endurance rounds at Bathurst and Sandown earlier this year.

His Konica Championship started what was to become the most successful season for SBR after lead driver Marcos Ambrose swept all before him to claim the V8 open title.

"We wish Mark all the best for next season and hope he enjoys this rare opportunity to experience what drag racing is all about," added Rowsell.

"Who knows he might enjoy it that much that he decides on a career change some time down the track."

Winterbottom has expressed a great deal of excitement towards his debut drive at Willowbank Raceway and can't wait to learn the ropes of an entirely different form of motorsport.

"You don't really appreciate what it takes to drive any sort of car at top speed and this will definitely be a big thrill considering the sort of horsepower these things produce," said Winterbottom.