Test and tune: kicking off Meremere Dragway’s comp season

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Both events saw the unleashing of a heap of horsepower that had been caged up over the winter months, and there were the familiar cars and a few new ones giving it a crack.

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Not that this suggests some familiar ones were just sitting idle all winter. Alsop Racing, for example, had been very busy over winter, and debuted their new look Altered minus the Willys body that we all know and associate with the team.

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They used the weekend to test the new combination, and, by seeing what data came through, they are very excited for the rest of the season ahead.

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Gubbs Racing are another must-watch team with their beautifully presented twin-turbo dragster. Many hours of hard work resulted in a second full-track pass time of 6.47 at 212.2mph!

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With those types of numbers straight off the bat, it’ll definitely be well worth watching their progress throughout this upcoming season.

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Track Manager Gary Bogaart came out for a couple of passes in his nitrous-sniffing Altered. Unfortunately a crack in the front of the chassis had him parking up earlier than planned.

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Anthony ‘Dutchie’ Wijdeven had his Ford Falcon running hard as usual — maybe too hard as he managed to introduce parts of his engine to the racetrack when crossing the finish line.

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Photographer Maria Panova proved she can drag race as well, driving a 1971 Plymouth for 11-second passes at 124mph. She also holds the track record at Formula E electric go-karts!

Speaking of tough street cars, there were plenty their aiming to get further up the list for New Zealand’s Quickest Streeters. Dave Moyle ran impressive 9.4-second passes without the use of his nitrous system, showing that the elusive eight-second pass may not be far away, and Mike Black’s twin supercharged HQ ran oh so close to his PB.

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With all the cars that turned up you know it’s going to be another great racing season. Thanks to all the team at Meremere Drag Way for putting on another great event.

For full results, which are too long to list here, check out the Meremere Dragway results page here.