Winterbottom and Lightning McQueen at Amberley Air Base

V8 Supercars Championship leader Mark Winterbottom and Disney-Pixar's CARS star Lightning McQueen checked out the RAAF Amberley Air Base today before heading trackside to Queensland Raceway this weekend.

The 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner met with RAAF pilots and their families as well as being joined by the star of the show Lightning McQueen on the tarmac.

Lightning McQueen was sized up next to the incredible FA-18 Super Hornet, which will be putting on a spectacular air-show in the skies above the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 this weekend.

Winterbottom, who voiced his own cameo role in the Australian and New Zealand versions of Disney-Pixar's CARS 2, said stepping into unfamiliar territory with the strike fighters was an excellent way to immerse himself with the community.

"These things are some seriously incredible machines and it's great to come out here, meet some of the pilots and their families, and really take it all in," said Winterbottom.

"You think that our V8 Supercar cockpits are impressive, but they don't even come close next to these beasts, it takes it to a whole other level.

"FPR has a partnership with the Royal Australian Navy so we know all about the sacrifices the various arms of the Defence Force make so it has been a great day getting amongst the Amberley Air Base, having a tour and meeting some the crew. I have the utmost respect for what these guys and girls do and it will be great to see them up in the sky this weekend."

The Amberley Air Base families were also treated with tickets to an exclusive screening of Disney's new Planes Fire and Rescue which will hit cinemas around Australia for the September school holidays.

The Disney Fun Zone will return to the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 with favourites Mack the Transporter and Lightning McQueen. Brand new to the Disney Fun Zone is an all new Planes themed zone as well as the inflatable Lightning McQueen two-track slide and the World Grand Prix Training Track.

Children 14 and under receive free trackside admission with a paying adult at the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 - click here for ticketing information.