Support high for drag meet

Masterton Motorplex Drag Racing Club event co-ordinator Bob Wilton is still on a high.

Wilton wasn't sure what to expect entry-wise for his club's fundraising meet at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton over the weekend and was "absolutely blown away" by the response.

The total number of street cars, competition cars and motor cycles strutting their stuff on the quarter-mile track reached 170, making it the second most popular event ever held by the Masterton club, beaten only by the 180 received for the national finals some years ago.

"Honestly, if we'd have got around 100 entries we would have been happy," Wilton said yesterday, noting that cars from as far south as Canterbury and as far north as Auckland had arrived for what was essentially a non-competition event.

"It wasn't like they were chasing points for any major series. They were mainly just here to try their vehicles out and have a fun time."

Wilton believes Masterton's favourable geographical position was a point in their favour, along with the local club's reputation for providing an enjoyable atmosphere, both on and off the track.

"I think it's fair to say that drag racers love coming to Masterton.

"We've worked hard to get the organisation right and they appreciate that."

But while the weekend's entry list was impressive, Wilton says it can be expected to pale into insignificance when the Masterton club's new drag strip is up and running.

Just when that will be depends on financial considerations, but it could be as early as November if everything goes to plan.

Wilton said that, with the new strip being constructed to international specifications, not only would entries go up but the standard of racing would also increase as basically all of the country's fastest cars would be attracted here.