Small field in drag racing

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 47

Small field in drag racing

PA Wellington A smaller field of competitors than in last years attended the 21st New Zealand Drag Racing Nationals held at International Dragway near Hastings in the weekend. This was no reflection on the quality of racing, as 21 track and 16 national records were set during the two day meeting which drew racers from all over the country. New Zealand’s fastest lady, Faye Grant, again reset the Australasia Top Alcohol Dragster record with a pass of 6.629 seconds at over 330 km/h (205 mph). Grant, from Whangarei, who qualified in the number one position, pulled a seven foot wheelstand on the first day and crashed the dragster to the ground bending the front axle and buckling both

wheels. The damage was repaired overnight. Alan Dunlop, of Wellington, and David Bright from Auckland shared the title of Top Alcohol National Eliminator after a starting light malfunction caused Bright to be disqualified. Grant, Dunlop and Terry Rogers of Auckland all set records in their respective classes on Top Alcohol Eliminator.

Competition elimination was dominated by Aucklanders Barry Clarke in the 350 cu in dragster and Chris Johnson who reset yet again the National C/Dragster Record with a pass of 8.536 seconds at 257 km/h (159 mph) for the standing start 400 meter sprint.

Another to set a national record and also take a national title was Steve Hildred, of New Plymouth, in

Altered Eliminator. Hildred using a new and untried 355 cu in Chev motor recorded a speed record of 248 km/h with an elapsed time of 8.605. Adrian Kramer, of Napier, with the Smith/Kramer 530 cu in Chev Camaro took the Pro-Gas title over Mike Nola from Auckland in the 526 cu in Chev powered Honda Accord.

This bracket also produced three National Records from Peter Stirling, of Nelson, Peter Plumridge, Christchurch and Terry Flude of Auckland.

Phil Blumont, Palmerston North, was runner-up to Mark and in doing so broke the National A/Hot Rod record with a time of 9.896 seconds. Newcomer to the sport from Whakatane, Tom Richardson, in a 454 cu in Corvette, took the Street Machine

Title with Karl Kadlec from Silverdale coming runner-up. International Dragway street machine point score series winner, Peter Sales, of Palmerston North, again reset the National D/Street Machine record. Jon Jamieson, of Auckland, who has had a rather unhappy 1988-89 racing season, regained some form to take the Stock Eliminator in the 440 cu in Plymouth Baracuda.

The drag bike class produced some of the best racing seen this year in these classes. The final was taken by Tony Connolly, who set both track records. Records also went to veteran Earle Nunn, of Christchurch, Gavin Sendall, of Nelson, Vicki Webb, Cambridge and Jo Bain, of Auckland, in the bike classes.