Top field of drag racers on grid

Adrian Rivers reached the 200mph (320km/h) speed mark when he raced in Masterton at the weekend. His dragster will be in action this Sunday on Taupo Quay. Photo/File

Wanganui's best drag racers will be guaranteed to put on a good show this coming Sunday at the 28th annual Wanganui Road Rodders street drags if their efforts in Masterton at the weekend are any gauge.

The drags on Taupo Quay will feature cars, motorcycles and imports, as prominent driver Grant Rivers said a rush of late entries has the numbers up to 60 already above the relatively low turnout of 51 cars and eight bikes last year.

Both Grant Rivers and son Adrian will have their specialist dragsters there to give an exhibition in speed and tyre smoke for a crowd hoped to be around 2000 in number once again.

The River Rat IV funny car and the Blu's Brothers dragster are too powerful to go full throttle down the Taupo Quay quarter mile, but Adrian Rivers had no problem hitting top speeds in Masterton Motoplex at the weekend.

At the official grand opening of the new dragstrip at the motoplex, Adrian Rivers joined an elite group in the sport in this country by reaching top speed over 200 miles per hour (320km/h) while competing in the Supercharged Outlaws division.

Adrian Rivers clocked in a 6.70 second run for the standing quarter mile, delighting father Grant Rivers.

Adrian Rivers developed engine troubles in his semifinal victory of the division, and was not able to front for the final.

However, it was still a successful weekend as he took his Nissan Silvia to victory in the 2WD Turbo class.

Other Wanganui Road Rodders achieved success in Masterton and will be wanting more of the same on Sunday.

Dallas Rowan had another win in the Junior Dragster division, after qualifying at the top of the field.

Rhys O'Mahoney took his T-Bucket to a personal best, running well into the 9-second bracket.

Aaron Jackson also managed a 9.9 second pass in his Torana for the Super Sedan Class.

In Wanganui last year, Jackson pulled down the fastest competition time of 6.673 seconds, while also taking out the Best Presented Car award.

But his Masterton effort was eclipsed by compatriot Dean Scott, who took his Holden Ute on a 8.5 second pass in the same division, reaching top speed of 163mph (262km/h).

All of these drivers will be taking part on Sunday, alongside others from Wanganui, Wellington, Taupo and Rotorua.

Grant Rivers said once again, the Wanganui District Council and local businesses needed to be thanked for their support of the event, the non-profit club's major fundraiser of the year.

The drags start at 10am on Sunday, with grandstand seating available.

There are no dogs or glass allowed.

Entry is $10 for adults, $5 children, $25 family and the under-5s are free.