Key Points:

Willy White, from Hastings, set a national record in his Pontiac Nitro Funny Car at the drag racing nationals at Meremere.

The elapsed time was 5.47s over the quarter mile at 455km/h.

The previous record was held by Garth Hogan in a Top Fuel Dragster at 5.526s. White's goal is to beat the Australasian mark of 5.39s.