Yes the winner gets free entry next year, and a free reserved pit spot.

I did have a scare after the last time trial, before 1st round. My water temperature was normal at the end of the run, about 185 degrees. But on the return road, after I turned on the cooling fan, the temperature kept rising, unusual as I didn't lean out the mixture yet (which I do to put heat in the motor). When I picked up my timeslip the motor was up to 200 and I knew I had a problem. I decided to high tail it back to the pits and I made it there at about 220 on the gauge, but water wasn't circulating.

Turned out the fuse on the electric water pump (Mezerie) was blown. I put another 10 amp in and it was fine. But in the staging lanes for 1st round, I noticed the water temperature didn't fall with the engine off and the water pump and fan ON! I reached over and pulled the fuse and put a 20 amp in and it was working again as I moved to the top of the staging lanes. I avoided a close one there as a broke run (aborted) would have killed me in the points.