Showdown as titles go to wire

SLENDER LEAD: Whanganui's Dean Scott has a narrow 8-point lead going into the final of the Super Sedan class at the 48th New Zealand Drag Racing Nationals in Taupo this weekend.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

THE CARS are tweaked and ready to roll for two Whanganui teams leading their classes in the lead-up to the final round of the 48th New Zealand Drag Racing Nationals at Taupo Thunder Dragway this weekend.

Dean Scott has a slender 8-point lead in the Super Sedan class, the largest field of the championships, while Adrian Rivers is in a three-way tie at the sharp end of the Competition division.

Both are right in form with Scott coming off a win at the New Zealand Drag Racing Association's Southern National Series in Motueka in February. Scott's 540cu inch big block Chevvy-powered Holden ute took the popular Super Sedan class event in Motueka beating more than 40 competitors .

Scott's best run was an 8.85 second dash over the quarter-mile, clocking a 252.67kmh top speed.

Scott, a mechanic at Whanganui-based Rivers Speed and Spares, built the motor at work.

Rivers added yet more silverware to the family trophy cabinet after taking out the Competition division at the NZDRA Summer Nationals in Taupo in December.

Rivers drove the family drag racing team's machine to a personal best time over the quarter mile stretch at Taupo Dragway.

Rivers stopped the clock at 6.70 seconds after reaching a top speed of 202mph or 320km/h to take the Competition title and a share of the lead coming into the finals this weekend.

Grant Rivers, owner of Rivers Speed and Spares, said team mechanics were always tinkering with the motors and he was confident the latest tweaks would have both cars pinging on all cylinders.

"Each driver will have to compete a minimum of four and and a maximum of eight runs over the weekend, so it's hard on the cars," Rivers said yesterday.

"Dean will probably have to do the most runs because of the size of the field in the Super Sedans. It's the most popular class and there will be more than 30 in the field this weekend. There are only six in our (Adrian's) class, but it's still very hard to win. Dean is only eight points ahead and that's a narrow margin with 120 points up for grabs. We are in a three-way tie, so it will come down to who is best on the day. We have worked on both cars and hopefully we can get that little bit extra out of them and come home with the trophies," he said.