TWELVE months into his new role, Andrew Casos is still learning the finer details of being Willowbank Raceway operations manager.
However, he is enjoying the opportunity to bring fresh ideas into the region’s most valuable facilities.
The recent Winternationals attracted 42,560 people across four days of high-powered drag racing with multiple records set and gains in the hospitality sector at one of the biggest events in the Southern Hemisphere.
“It was just brilliant,” Casos said.
“We have a lot to learn but certainly [we’re] over the moon.”
Casos is focused on providing a wider and more regular range of options to boost the not-for-profit organisation’s revenue stream.
“We are in a rebuilding phase,” Casos said.
“It’s bringing in the key values and now it’s working on different events … taking off the blinkers and looking outside the square.
“And focusing on not just drag racing events but anything that brings an income into Willowbank.”
While the annual Winternationals was a major revenue-generating event, Casos said the CMC Rocks festival staged on the Willowbank Raceway grounds “was very important to us”.
“It’s massive, unbelievable,’’ he said.
While unpredictable weather can have a dramatic impact on the Winternationals program, hardy CMC Rocks fans soldier on even in rainy and muddy conditions.
“They [CMC] take over the venue, which is great, and we work so well with them. They are fantastic,” Casos said.
Casos said branching out was essential to the Raceway’s future.
“We’re an old venue,” the operations manager said.
“We know to keep the doors open, there’s plenty of things that need to be updated so we’re working through that.”
Casos, 44, was a Willowbank Raceway volunteer for 30 years before being offered his current position by the board.
The Peak Crossing resident is part of a new management team including Greg Rayner and Jane Smith.
“It’s just keeping it basic – communication and customer service,” he said.
That priority comes from more than 20 previous years working in sales and other automotive industry roles.
While developing new events is a central focus, Casos and his team want to take care of the people who are making valuable contributions to the sport.
“We are passionate about looking after our volunteers,” Casos said.
Andrew grew up with his dad Paul, an Ipswich motorsport icon, and his uncle Bruce, who has also been extensively involved in the sport.
Paul and Bruce continue to support regional motorsport activities.
Andrew started helping out at the track picking up cans and emptying bins when he was 14, before getting into scrutineering and working his way into national series roles.
He is married to Belinda and has two young boys.
The former Ipswich Grammar School student recognises the importance of Willowbank Raceway as part of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct on Champions Way.
The Raceway was the first tenant, operating since 1985.
A special event is planned in late September to mark the incredible 40-year milestone.
“It is an unbelievable venue and we’re very lucky to have it in our backyard,” Casos said.
The Raceway improvements, completed for the 2024 Winternationals, included a new 250 metre racing track, 600 metre braking area, an upgraded track exit and improved drainage.
The Federal Government-backed project also involved renovating five existing amenities facilities, adding six new multi-function demountable buildings and constructing a new effluent management system.
Track lighting and electrical upgrades were installed to give the time-honoured facility a major facelift.
Casos said Willowbank Raceway officials were happy to work with other Ipswich Motorsport Precinct tenants like Queensland Raceway, which welcomes back a Supercars weekend next month.
Other regular Precinct users include the Ipswich Kart Club, Ipswich Junior Speedway and Ipswich and West Moreton Auto Club.
“We all try to get on and we all try to communicate,” Casos said.
“For instance, with the V8s that’s coming up down the road, we don’t put an event on, so we all work together. That’s quite important.
“The bigger picture is not just Willowbank (Raceway) but it brings a lot of money to Ipswich tourism.”
Among other big weekends coming up is next month’s Jamboree – one of more than 80 events on this year’s Raceway calendar – that has international appeal.
Motorsport activities are planned every week until the Christmas Test N Tune in December.
“The biggest challenge is balancing all the events,” Casos said.
“Because we [the management team] are new, there’s a lot of people coming out of the woodwork and asking can they have this event?”
The motorsport enthusiast said drag racing continued to have widespread appeal.
“We’re an old sport but it’s great to see a lot of the younger generation coming through,” he said.
“We’re definitely looking outside to hold a different style of drag racing events, just to move with the times.”
His satisfaction comes from “our retail customers in the stands … smiles, bums on seats, seeing people happy.
“We can’t keep everyone happy but we are certainly trying.”
Casos said planning for the annual Winternationals would start in February, ramping up after a five-week break for next year’s CMC Rocks.
