Chch drag-racing ‘first’

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 32

Chch drag-racing ‘first’

By

MURRAY OLDS

Drag-racing fans in Christchurch will have a rare treat this Sunday when four quick “rails” will race against one another at Ruapuna. It will be the first time that four of these exotic machines have raced together at Ruapuna. Spice will be added to the Pan Am-Union Travel meeting bj' the presence of two quick Australians. Alan Oldgers will be running his blown-injected

350 Chev (pictured) reputed to be one of the fastest “rails” in Australia. He has recorded consistent times of 8s over a quarter-mile with a speed of 290 km/h at the Surfers drag strip on the Gold Coast. Bob Reischl, the other Australian who will appear at the meeting, has recorded performances similar to those of Oldgers in his biown-injected 427 Chev.

The local flag will be defended vigorously by Ron Collett. Collett flipped his “rail” late last season and received moderate injuries but the car has now been repaired and he is sure to give the Australians a tough time.

Collett has also recorded good times in his 434 injected Chev. If he cannot beat the visitors Garth Hogan should. Hogan tried his new car for the first time only two

weeks ago and recorded a best time of 8.3 s in the 350 blown-injected Chev. His top speed of 225 km/h could have been higher but the vehicle’s blower belt broke and he had to slow down hallway up the track.

Hogan is confident of becoming the first New Zealander to break the 320 km/h (200 rn.p.h.) barrier in his new “rail.” He already holds this record for a “funny car”.