Masterton Motorplex 20th Anniversary

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WELCOME | INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the 50th Nationals March the 17th & 18th 2018 marks a significant milestone for the sport of Drag Racing in New Zealand, the ‘50th Anniversary’ of the ‘New Zealand Nationals’.

50 years ago the New Zealand Hot Rod Association sanctioned the first Nationals conducted on a clay surface at an open cast coalmine at Kopuku, South of Auckland.

Since those early days this event has evolved over the

years to become the most anticipated and prestigious event on the annual calendar.

Competitors from all around the country will this year descend on Masterton and its premier facility for two days of intense Drag Race action to establish who will be crowned National Champion for the ensuing season.

Good luck to all participants and crew and congratulations to all

class winners.

On behalf of the NZDRA Board I would like to pass on our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Masterton Motorplex Management and Operational Crew, we wish all competitors, sponsors, and supporters a safe and exciting weekend.

NZDRA Chairman John Gourdie

Photo/Stephen Virtue

ROADING & INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALISTS Design & Build Subdivisions Siteworks Asphalting & Chipsealing Drainage Driveways Kerbing Metal Supplies Landscaping Products

2 Masterton Motorplex 2018

programme a brief history class details special guest profiles

18-20 21-25 26 27 28-29 30

national champs

CONTENTS

4 6-8 10-11 12-13 14-17

record holders about the nationals manufacturer board member profiles photographer & announcer

Cover: Artwork by Barracuda Photography Proudly published by Wairarapa Times-Age

0800 666 111 or 06 370 4666

276 Queen St, Masterton (Opposite Countdown next door to Resene)

Monday/Tuesday 11.30am-9.30pm | Wednesday/Thursday 10.00am-9.30pm Friday/Saturday 10.00am-10.00pm | Sunday 10.00am-9.30pm Masterton Motorplex 2018 3

PROGRAMME

50 NZ Nationals Racing Order 2018 TH

Saturday 17 March & Sunday 18 March MMP Bracket

Field size Handicap

C8 C11 C12 C13 C10 C9 C3 C7 C2 C4 C14 C1

128 128 64 64 64 16 64 16 8 16 64 64

Super Street Modiÿ ed Bike Junior Dragster Junior Dragbike Super Sedan Comp Bike Modiÿ ed Super Stock Competition Supercharged Outlaw Top Doorslammer Top Alcohol

4 Masterton Motorplex 2018

DYO DYO DYO DYO DYO Index DYO Index Index DYO Heads Up Heads Up

Tree .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Full .4/Pro .4/Pro

Qualify by Best RT Best RT Best RT Best RT Fastest ET Best to Index Best RT Best to Index Best to Index Fastest ET Fastest ET Fastest ET

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HISTORY

A brief history of New Zealand drag racing

beginnings Drag racing in New Zealand started in the 1960s. The New Zealand Hot Rod Association sanctioned what is believed to have been the first drag meeting at an open cast coal mine at Kopuku, south of Auckland, sometime in 1966.

The quickest time was a 17 second pass by Peter Lodge in a 1937 V8 coupe, complete with supercharged flathead motor.

This was timed over a distance of a quarter mile which remains the international standard length for drag racing. Racing was conducted at Kopuku for a further three years.

The Nationals The most prestigious meeting of the year is the New Zealand Nationals.

Originally sanctioned by the New Zealand Hot Rod Association, the Nationals were first run in the 1966/67 season at Kopuku.

The first Nationals at Kopuku in 1968.

1969/70 saw the Nationals conducted over a 3/16 mile course at Matahina after the Kopuku site was eaten up by the expanding coal mine.

The following season’s meeting was on a sealed road in a new industrial subdivision at Wiri, also south of Auckland. The following two seasons did not have any Nationals.

With the opening of Champion Dragway at Meremere, north of Auckland in 1973, the Nationals had a new home.

Thunderpark opened in 1976 at

Photo/Allan Porter Hastings and the Nationals were held at Champion Dragway or Thunderpark until Thunderpark closed in 1997.

In more recent years the NZ Nationals have been held at Taupo and Masterton with Masterton Motorplex hosting the 40th NZ Nationals in conjunction with their 10th anniversary.

And again this year to mark their 20th anniversary at their new purpose-built dragstrip next to the aerodrome in Masterton.

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HISTORY

A brief history of New Zealand drag racing

tracks

Various temporary tracks were used in the early days of drag racing in the late 1960s, some being 1/4 mile long and others 3/16 of a mile.

Meetings were held at Ardmore Aerodrome, Baypark Raceway, Dunedin Oval, Napier Airport, Waiouru military airstrip, and numerous closed roads.

The most famous closed road was Kerrs Road in Wiri, south of Auckland, where racing was conducted for two seasons.

It was on Kerrs Rd that New Zealand’s first ten second pass was recorded

by Peter Lodge in his steel bodied Fiat Topolino Fuel Altered “Baloo”.

Racing took off with the opening of New Zealand’s first purpose built dragstrip, Champion Dragway at Meremere, north of Auckland in 1973.

In the South Island most of the racing was conducted on the front straight

>>>>>>>>>

Ken Vincent in a 454 Chev rail at Champion Dragway, Meremere. of the Ruapuna Park racing track in Christchurch, with some meetings being conducted at Teretonga in Invercargill.

New Zealand’s second purpose-built dragstrip was Thunderpark which opened in 1976 near Hastings, closing in 1997.

A new dragstrip has recently been constructed at Taupo on the

Photo/Allan Porter

redeveloped motor racing circuit.

Racing is currently conducted at two purpose-built drag strips at Meremere and Masterton, with circuit tracks at Taupo Motorsport Park, Ruapuna Park in Christchurch and Teretonga in Invercargill.

Other meetings are conducted on airstrips in Oamaru, Motueka and Tokoroa.

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HISTORY

A brief history of New Zealand drag racing

New Zealand Drag Racing Association In April 1993 the drag racers split from the New Zealand Hot Rod Association and formed the New Zealand Drag Racing Association (NZDRA) which now sanctions drag racing in New Zealand.

There are currently 362 competitors with a NZDRA licence.

Race Timing Races were initially started with a flag and timed with stop watches. A telephone was used to allow a finish line observer to tell the timer when the car reached the finish line. The timer would then stop the watch.

Races are now started by a series of lamps, called a Christmas tree, controlled by a computer.

Laser beams are used to detect each vehicle’s location and the computer calculates the time taken, with millisecond accuracy, to cover various distances down the track, along with the speed at halftrack and the finish line.

Chris Tynan Chev Door Slammer - 1993.

Photo/Allan Porter

The computer also works out which vehicle won the race to the finish line first and by how much.

All of this information is then printed out for the drivers and officials information.

All races were initially conducted with both entrants receiving the flag or green light at the same time.

Although there were various brackets for racers to compete in, the vehicle with the most powerful motor usually won.

To encourage racers who could not compete at the very top, handicapping was introduced. This entails a separate green light for each competitor, with one green coming on before the other.

This handicap is variable and can be altered by as little as one millisecond.

Not all brackets use handicapping, the upper brackets remain heads up.

Junior Dragsters 1988 saw New Zealand create a new form of drag racing - Junior Dragsters powered by lawn mower or small motorcycle engines. The class was introduced to attract children to drag racing with the aim of producing future adult drag racers. The concept took off and has been copied worldwide.

Nostalgia Drags at Meremere in 2003.

Photo/Allan Porter

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CLASSES

drag racing classes

Here’s a brief run-down on the appearing at the 50th New Zealand National Anniversary Super Street (C8)

A true entry level class for any registered and warranted car. The car must pass a simple safety check and you must have a helmet, then you can race in this class. The quickest a car can go in this class in 11 seconds. Qualify on reaction time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Modified Bike (C11)

A true entry level class for any registered and warranted motorbike. The bike must pass a simple safety check and you must have a helmet and full clothing (leathers are preferred), then you can race in this class. Qualify on reaction time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Junior Dragster 1/8 mile (C12)

Scale replicas of dragsters (front or rear engine) or funny cars. Powered by a motorbike engine (up to 250cc) or a modified “Briggs and Stratton” (lawnmower engine, but highly modified). Drivers start at 7 years old up to 18 years. Qualify on reaction time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Junior Dragbike 1/8 mile (C13)

Scale replicas of Comp Bikes. Powered by a motorbike engine (up to 125cc). Drivers start at 11 years old up to 18 years. Qualify on reaction time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Super Sedan (C10) Street appearing cars quicker than 10.99 seconds.

Cars range from modified street cars to purpose built race cars. Many cars are supercharged for extra horsepower (supercharger, turbos or nitrous oxide). Qualify on elapsed time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Comp Bike (C9) Purpose built drag bikes or highly modified motorbikes. Qualify on elapsed time (quickest compared to the index), eliminations race using an index handicap on a full tree.

Modified (C3) Purpose built drag cars - dragsters, altereds or cars with a body style older than 1935 (usually ‘T Buckets’ or similar). A range of engine styles and performance levels from 7 second to 11 second cars. Qualify on reaction time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Top Street (C7) Purpose built street appearing race cars. This category is the next level up from super sedan, and many of these cars hold national records. Qualify on elapsed time (quickest compared to the index), eliminations race using an index handicap on a full tree.

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Purpose built race cars – dragsters, altereds or funny cars. This category is the next level up from modified, and many of these cars hold national records. Qualify on elapsed time (quickest compared to the index), eliminations race using an index handicap on a full tree.

Supercharged Outlaw (C4)

Any car as long as it is supercharged. This is an exciting category of very quick cars. Must be quicker than 8 seconds, and many cars can run 6 seconds. Qualify on elapsed time, eliminations race using a DYO handicap on a full tree.

Top Doorslammer (C14)

The ultimate in street appearing cars and the car must have opening doors. Wild engines usually in the 3,000 to 3,500 horsepower range. Most of these cars run in the 6 second range and the best are capable of high 5 seconds, although the 5 second barrier has not been broken in NZ yet.

Qualify on elapsed time, eliminations race using heads up on a pro tree.

Top Alcohol (C1)

The ultimate drag racing vehicles in NZ. Dragsters, altered or funnycars. Cars must have at least 3,500 horsepower to be competitive in this category and the best have around 4,000 horsepower. Most of these cars run in the 5 second range, with the best running 5.36 seconds at 272 mph (438 km/h)! Qualify on elapsed time, eliminations race using heads up on a pro tree.

CLASSES

Competition (C2)

glossary “Full Tree� means the yellows lights on the ‘Christmas tree’ count down one at a time. “Pro Tree� means the yellows lights on the ‘Christmas tree’ flash together at the same time. “Heads up� racing means both racers start at the same time, first to the finish line wins! “Handicap racing� means the two lanes start at different times, with the slower racer getting a head start by the difference in the two handicaps. “DYO� means the racer chooses their own handicap and if they go quicker than their handicap they lose (called a ‘breakout’). “Index� is a handicap chosen by the national governing body based on the national record for the class of vehicle. Racers are allowed to go quicker than the index. “Qualifying� is run on Saturday.

All the racers race every round,

and racers try to get the highest qualifying position they can.

There is no handicap starts for qualifying. A higher qualifying position means an advantage in eliminations as you usually race a racer that qualified lower. Also, the top 8 qualifiers earn points in the national championship series. “Eliminations� is run on Sunday and is the actual racing.

All racers race the first round, and handicap starts are used.

Only the winners of each race go through to the next round until eventually there are only two racers left in the final. If there is time, losing racers can come out and do practice runs, called “grudge racing�.

The more rounds a racer goes, the more points they earn in the national championship series.

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SPECIAL GUEST

Capturing drag racing

Allan Porter in action at Meremere in 1980 - taken by co-photographer Mal Bain

For three decades Allan Porter could be found at hot rod meetings around the North Island taking photographs which would appeared in magazines in the United States, Britain and Australia, as well as New Zealand.

Allan was a teenager in South Auckland when hot rods and photography captured his imagination.

“I became interested in hot rods and road racing in 1959 while at high school. I used to compare notes on hot rod magazines with my friends.

“I always liked the hot rods because they were individual artistic creations. I come from a family of artists. I guess it was the uniqueness of the hot rods, and the action of drag racing.”

Allan bought his first “decent” camera, a Koaa SLR, “after I had started work and could afford one.”

Allan’s first published photo

accompanied a story about drag racing in Australasia in American Car Crafts. “Drag racing was very big in Australia at this time and they wanted to know more about what was going on in this part of the world.”

In 1967 NZ Hot Rod Magazine editor Rob Campbell asked him to submit some photos in 1967.

Hot rodding was extremely amateur then, Allan recalls. The first national drag meeting at an open cast coal mine at Kopuku, south of Auckland in 1968 was “just basically compacted clay, graded smooth with dirt piled up on each side of the track.

“It got a massive crowd, basically elbow-to-elbow, standing room only, along the full length of the track. People sat on oil drums and cars. It was very makeshift.

“The cars were pet projects that people wanted to race. There were some purpose-built hot rods but the majority of vehicles were modified road cars.”

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SPECIAL GUEST

history for

posterity

Between 1975 and 1980 Allan had his own commercial photography business which allowed him to travel to most of the hot rod meetings around the North Island each year.

He never raced his own hot rod but did own a 1946 Ford panel van with a Chevy motor which he had painted in his business colours.

“I always tell people I spent too much money on photography to afford a decent hot rod.”

In 1979 Allan went to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with Bill Ward, the first New Zealander to attempt a world speed record there since Burt Munroe.

Allan called a halt to travelling to meetings in 1997 and is now retired in Taupo.

As much as hot rods have changed since 1967, photography has changed even more.

A lot of Allan’s photos were shot on black and white film “because they were for newspapers and magazines who usually printed in

black and white.

“Digital has come to the fore now.

I wish I had it 50 years ago. You can instantly see if the photo is any good, and you had all sorts of mishaps in the dark room.”

On the other hand, Allan points out, “There weren’t as many photographers then and because I was interested in photography I tried to get the best gear available and did all my own processing in my darkroom. Most of the photos taken by others tend to have flaws like being out of focus.”

“I used to experiment with my photos - on cars, under cars. Do different things. Now everyone has a camrat strapped to the roof of their car.”

Friends and family have kept prompting Allan to publish a book of his photographs, which he hasn’t quite got around to yet.

In the meantime his work lives on in vintage hot rod magazines as well a Weetbix card series he was commissioned to do for Sanitarium.

Ltd

[Above] Garth Hogan burnout in 1983. [Below] Custom panel work on a 105E Anglia at Kopuku in 1968.

Photos/Allan Porter

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PROFILE

Adam Thompson 1962 Ford Anglia Van

From Christchurch, Adam Thompson’s 1962 Ford Anglia van with a 383 Chev was the 2012/2013 IHRA Super Sedan winner and 2015 NZDRA Super Sedan winner.

Its best ET to date is 9.5 @139.7 mph.

The other members of the team are Mark Thompson and Jason Watson.

Brendon Seyb Team Seyb Racing Corvette Funny Car Brendon Seyb and his team are coming from Christchurch to compete after a 10-year break from drag racing. The Seyb family have a long history in drag racing.

They will be entering Top Alcohol with their Team Seyb Racing Corvette Funny Car. “I have been working on the car

in recent years and it is set up now with a PSI blown billet MBR Hemi 540 cu engine, Crower 10-inch clutch and 3spd Lenco trans.

“The chassis has undergone upgrades to bring it up to current SFI spec. We have the potential to run in the 5s on paper and looking to debut this new combo at the track.”

Karl Dykes

Turbo Charged 1000cc Suzuki Katana

Based in Motueka, Karl has been racing for the past seven years and is the current Nelson Drag Racing Association Club President.

His Turbo Charged 1000cc Suzuki Katana holds the

current BB/AB NZDRA record for ET + MPH with a Personal Best of 9.209 @ 152.55 mph.

His main sponsors are Armstrong Smarter Security & Turbochargers NZ

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Bob Wilton • 06 377 3803 • 136 Dixon Street, Masterton 14 Masterton Motorplex 2018

PROFILE

Roger Binnema 1996 Honda Accord Sedan From Balclutha, Roger’s 1996 Honda Accord sedan was built using a brand-new body shell and first campaigned in 1998.

The current combination is a 400-cubic inch small block Chevrolet engine, Dart block with 245 AFR heads, 14/71 supercharger, Power Glide transmission with Dominator convertor, Ford nine-inch diff and 33x16x15 Hoosier tyres.

The car has had several combinations over the years including naturallyaspirated engines, small super chargers and TH 350 transmissions.

The car started running 9 second passes and now runs 7 second passes with a best of

7.26 @ 195mph.

It is the #1 Top Street car and built to the rules of that class. It has had wins in Supercharged Outlaws but only runs in this class when there are low fields, Roger says.

“The car has had so many wins, the trophies have had to go into storage.”

The car has made numerous appearances at every track in the country.

“It may not sound like an achievement, but from Balclutha to Auckland is a three-day trip and three days back.”

The team’s financier and driver, Roger has been “a car guy forever”, while

wife Tania is “organiser of everything and backbone of the team”.

Peter Watson has been a crew member since the beginning while the other crew member Mike Wilson has been with the car for the past 12 years.

Special thanks to Dave Rosewarne (Cylinder Head Specialists, CHCH), Evan Were (Engine Reconditioning Services, CHCH), Quintin Smith (South Otago Customs, Balclutha), Peter Watson(Gore), Mike Wilson (CHCH) and “of course my wife Tania and all who have helped over the past 17 years of ownership.”

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16 Masterton Motorplex 2018

PROFILE

Grant Briffault

Rear engine Top Alcohol Dragster # 201 Grant started racing in 1977. “After a trip to Napier in 1975 I was informed there was a new drag strip nearby and the opening meeting was the next day.

“I went along and I was hooked. I arrived back home, sold my 1956 Chevy and set off to buy an engine for my new drag car project.

“Two years later I arrived at Meremere dragway with my first drag car, a 105E Anglia with a 351 Ford Cleveland 4V mounted into a tube chassis.”

With personal and financial support from Peter Manning, whose knowledge Grant still values to this day, Grant campaigned this car for two seasons, then gravitated to a rear engine dragster in the early 1980s in which he ran 351 Fords,

and 350 Chevs.

“Back in the mid-to-late eighties, I would construct a new car each winter – learned lots about the diagonals, strong and weak points, especially at the rear of motor plate. A crash back in 2011 had me redesign the chassis to what it is today.

“I try to make everything I can, right down to a right-angle magneto drive that still works fine but has given way to an RCD unit.”

Grant’s crew are his children Philip and Anna, Darryl Bridgman, Lance Wylie, Dave Kindberg, Robbie Low, Karen Spence, Peter Williamson, Dean Boyd, Darryn Hayes and Rob Boyce, along with consultant John Neilan.

Nathan Johns 67 Camaro Super Sedan From Motueka, Nathan’s best time so far is 9.41 @142 mph which he ran at the end of last season in Christchurch.

“I have owned the car for about three years. I bought it from Australia and it was built in the United States. It has a 540 CI Scott Shafiroff

Big Block and Turbo 400 with trans brake. Also a Currie 9-inch rear end.

“My wife and I are the only crew. The car is pretty reliable and doesn’t need much attention so it makes it easy and fun for us both.”

Tony Van Helmond

N ZDRA Tech SOUTHEYS SERVICE

Inspe ctor an d AUTOWORLD MANAGER

Wishing NZ's quickest and fastest a successful weekend at Masterton Motorplex

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NATIONAL CHAMPS

NZDRA 2017

National Drag Racing Champions Photo/Stephen Virtue

SUPERCHARGED OUTLAW CHAMPION

MARK GAPP

Photo/Stephen Virtue

TOP ALCOHOL CHAMPION

Photo/Stephen Virtue

TOP STREET CHAMPION

RYAN SHELDON

Wairarapa Mitsubishi 313 Queen Street, Masterton | 06 378 6134 Rodney 027 81 333 80 | Steve 027 59 299 56 18 Masterton Motorplex 2018

WAYNE CURRY Photo/Stephen Virtue

TOP DOORSLAMMER CHAMPION

MARK THOMAS

National Drag Racing Champions Photo/Stephen Virtue

COMPETITION BIKE CHAMPION

BAZ FOX

MODIFIED CHAMPION

Photo/Stephen Virtue

COMPETITION CHAMPION

ADRIAN & GRANT RIVERS

NATIONAL CHAMPS

NZDRA 2017

ALEX HOGG Photo/Stephen Virtue

SUPER SEDAN CHAMPION

MATT GIBBONS

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NATIONAL CHAMPS

NZDRA 2017

National Drag Racing Champions Photo/Stephen Virtue

SUPER STREET CHAMPION

DEAN HASTIE Photo/Stephen Virtue

MODIFIED BIKE CHAMPION

COLIN JOHNSON

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National Records of the NZDRA

CLASS DRIVER TOP ALCOHOL 1/4 MILE TA/D JOHN NEILAN TA/D CHRIS JOHNSTON TA/FC TIM WATKINS AA/FA DAVE GAULD TOP ALCOHOL 1/8 MILE TA/D JOHN NEILAN TOP DOOR 1/4 MILE T/D WAYNE YEARBURY T/D CHRIS TYNAN TOP DOOR 1/8 MILE T/D BARRY PLUMPTON

VEHICLE

RECORD HOLDERS

Current

TIME MPH

DRAGSTER DRAGSTER 5.741 DODGE 5.860 34 5 WINDOW FORD 7.471

246.98 232.67 185.13

DRAGSTER

3.960

187.50

53 STUDEBAKER 55 CHEVROLET

6.437

05 MONTY CARLO

4.701

220.55 149.50

John Neilan. Photo/Justin Hansen

Proud to support Masterton Motorplex

* If you find a lower price on an identical stocked product locally we will beat it by 15%.

If you find the same product cheaper from another Mitre 10 store or Mitre 10 website we’ll match that price. Excludes trade and special quotes, stock liquidations and commercial quantities. The in-store price may be lower than that advertised.

Masterton Motorplex 2018 21

RECORD HOLDERS

CLASS DRIVER TOP STREET 1/4 MILE X/TS REX DUCKETT A/TS BARRY PLUMPTON BB/TS CRAIG BROWN BB/TS TIM WATKINS B/TS KEVIN McGREGOR CC/TS GRAEME BATES C/TS RUSSELL CHRISTOFFERSEN DD/TS REECE FISH DD/TS ADAM BATES D/TS GARY BOGAART D/TS GLENN BOYD EE/TS GARY BOGAART E/TS KEVIN McGREGOR FF/TS GARY CAWTHRA F/TS KEVIN McGREGOR F/TS GARY BOGAART GG/TS DALE BUCKLEY G/TS GARY BOGAART G/TS GRANT LITTLE HH/TS ROBERT TYNAN H/TS MATT GIBBONS RR/TS STEVE ROSSEN TOP STREET 1/8 MILE A/TS RYAN SHELDON BB/TS RHYS HUMPHRIES X/TS REX DUCKETT H/TS MATT GIBBONS

VEHICLE

TIME MPH

PONTIAC GXP MONTY CARLO 55 CHEVROLET FERRARI CAMARO 69 VAUXHALL CRESTA

7.55 7.732 7.355

68 CAMARO 56 CHEVROLET 69 VAUXHALL CRESTA FALCON GT LH TORANA FALCON GT LH TORANA XA FALCON LH ORANA FALCON COUPE TOYOTA SUPRA FALCON GT XY FALCON WRX COUPE DODGE DAYTONA MAZDA RX7

8.769 7.706

10.299 8.052 166.23 11.436 121.42 7.956 167.15

CHEV CAMARO PLYMOUTH CUDA PONTIAC GXP DODGE DAYTONA

5.141 5.534 7.160 7.283

8.095 7.660

182.22 179.23 188.52 171.29 183.17 157.23 182.56 147.05

8.640 9.059 9.204 9.121 9.439

147.92 145.99 150.55

9.061

137.40 154.69 130.59

134.73 139.75 87.04 97.61

Adam Bates. Photo/Justin Hansen

Structural engineering and seismic specialist

ABRASIVE BLASTING

Crane hire available

• Waterblasting • Arc Spray Galv • Graffiti Removal

Proud to Support Masterton Motorplex 152 Lincoln Road, Masterton PH: 06 377 2945 E: masterblaster2005@xtra.co.nz 22 Masterton Motorplex 2018

Cranes available, 10-30 tonne with 40 metre reach.

Short or long term hire available.

Call us today

37-47 Villa Street, Masterton

Ph 06 377 4901 office@peco2004.co.nz www.peco2004.co.nz

VEHICLE

RECORD HOLDERS

CLASS DRIVER COMPETITION 1/4 MILE AA/A BRENDAN SEYB AA/A McMILLIN A/A STU STANNERS A/A GRANT FINDLEY BB/A KAREN HAY B/A JOHN GOURDIE CC/A KAREN HAY C/A ASH BECK DD/A CLINTON LOCHHEAD D/A FRYER/HARVEY E/A STEPHEN MURPHY A/NA PAVLOVICH/PIAGGIT AA/D ADRIAN RIVERS A/D TONY MARSH BB/D G & M PRICE B/D IAN MACDONALD CC/D ROBBIE WARD C/D PHIL HIRST DD/D ROBBIE WARD EE/D ROBBIE WARD AA/ND MARTIN & REA SPORT COMP 1/4 MILE P/I CORRY ABBOTT P/I BRENT CURRAN S/M DAVID STOCK

TIME MPH

CORVETTE FC 7.005 DODGE / FC 23T ALTERED 7.437 34 FORD COUPE 27T ROADSTER 6.834 23T ALTERED 7.87 32 FORDV ROADSTER 7.416 FORD POP 8.833 23T ALTERED 7.836 AUSTIN A40 9.398 FORD POP 11.527 ALTERED 9.472 DRAGSTER 6.243 DRAGSTER 6.805 RE DRAGSTER 6.645 DRAGSTER 7.720 FE DRAGSTER 7.235 FE DRAGSTER 9.884 FE DRAGSTER 7.265 FE DRAGSTER 7.831 SLINGSHOT 8.408

193.93 197.86

151.05 171.84 143.54 120.83 10.072 206.83 199.17 204.76 167.94 175.79 130.13 179.71 164.71 157.87

RX7 MAZDA 7.489 RX2 MAZDA MITSUBISHI LANCER 8.420

184.22 167.69

182.19 198.88 176.12

Martin and Rea. Photo/Justin Hansen

KEEPING WAIRARAPA’S VEHICLES SPARKING

A security alarm system is only as good as the Security Alarm Response services that support it.

Car misbehaving?

We offer you the confidence of prompt alarm response times and nightly security inspections for your business to deter wrongful conduct.

We can diagnose and fix the problem for you.

21 Bentley Street, Masterton • Automotive paint • Car Accessories • Rubber Products • Tools & Compressors • Own your own Welding & Gas GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS AT MMP THIS WEEKEND! 47 Queen Street, Masterton

06 377 1301

Services include: • External and internal property inspections • Staff welfare checks • Alarm response • Assist with the opening and closing of your premise or the arming and disarming of your security system • Qualified operators available 24/7 in our communications centre

Phone: 0800 347 787 or find us on

Masterton Motorplex 2018 23

RECORD HOLDERS

CLASS DRIVER COMP BIKE 1/4 MILE TF/DB ATHOL WILLIAMS AA/DB IAN WILKINS A/DB IAN HILDER BB/DB EARLE NUNN B/DB SHANE DIXON CC/DB GAVIN SENDALL C/DB ANDY URWIN WELLS DD/DB EARLE NUNN D/DB ROBIN WALLACE AA/PCB BARRY SPROULE AA/PCB ROSS BUCHANAN A/PCB MIKE DRENNAN BB/PCB GRAEME FOX B/PCB PETER MORRISON AA/AB MARTIN WILSON A/AB DEAN VEALE BB/AB CRAIG WRAY BB/AB KARL DYKES B/AB SPIKE ALLEN B/AB SPIKE ALLEN C/AB GLENN JOHNSTONE A/SB DEAN VEALE B/SB SPORT BIKE B/SB COLIN JOHNSON C/SB SPORT BIKE VRD/B CRAIG ADAM VRD/B BAZ FOX

VEHICLE

TIME MPH

RBP SPECIAL RACE INNOVATIONS RICE ROCKET NUNN MK 7 2008 SUZUKI 998CC SENDALL SUZUKI KAWASAKI JAWA HARLEY DAVIDSON HARLEY HARLEY WESTLAKE TRIUMPH SUZUKI SUZUKI SUZUKI KATANA SUZUKI KATANA HARLEY DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON SUZUKI HAYABUSA

7.202 7.681 8.193 8.621 9.841 9.720 9.486 11.047 11.771 7.602

199.97 171.21 157.1 156.84 144.78 140.40 142.58

172.19 143.06 9.739 143.71 11.565 113.00 8.402 165.75 8.074 167.45 9.208 151.42 9.364 137.81 138.77 10.438 133.93 9.427 148.48

SUZUKI GSXR

143.27

HARLEY DAVIDSON 9.44 HARLEY DAVIDSON

139.79

Baz Fox. Photo/Justin Hansen

WHERE

FASHION MEETS SPORT

WE GET YOU OVER THE LINE EVERY TIME! Custom blends • Trace minerals And much more

PROUD TO SUPPORT

MASTERTON MOTORPLEX

Proud to support Masterton Motorplex

192 Queen St | 378 6321

Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm | Sat - 9am - 3pm | Sun - 10am - 2pm

MASTERTON PET SHOP Wairarapa’s largest pet and seed shop • Pets • Food and accessories • Grooming • Cattery

We are proud to support Masterton Motorplex

0800 UP YA PH A/H 372 2874 24 Masterton Motorplex 2018

377 4236 • 126 Dixon Street • Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 3pm • Sun: 10am - 2pm

VEHICLE

TIME

MPH

56 CHEVROLET 68 MONARO NISSAN STAGER INTEGRA

8.276 8.017 8.601 10.940

171.9 171.01 160.44 128.94

ALTERED 23T ALTERED R/E DRAGSTER

8.394 8.201 6.704

155.74 157.47 201.94

R/E DRAGSTER FE DRAGSTER

7.84

HAYABUSA KAWASAKI KZ1000 SUZUKI HAUABUSA KAWASAKI ZX9R YAMAHA/APRILIA YAMAHA/APRILIA

151.72 9.225 9.455 10.707 13.712 13.548

RECORD HOLDERS

CLASS DRIVER SUPER SEDAN 1/4 MILE SS/AA REECE FISH SS/A GAVIN GREEN SS/BB ROBBIE WARD SS/CC BRUCE CULIMORE MODIFIED 1/4 MILE AA/MA CHRIS WRIGHT A/MA BRUCE RIDDICK AA/MD ADRIAN RIVERS A/MD SCOTTY LANDSBOROUGH A/MD ARRAN BRATTLE MODIFIED BIKE 1/4 MILE AA/MB DAVID HARTLEY AA/MB ANTON FOLEY A/MB DEAN PIPER B/MB ROSS DONALDSON CC/MB JACOB REECE C/MB JACOB REECE

169.56

150.39 125.97 95.78 95.25

Gavin Green. Photo/Justin Hansen

R&R PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING provides specialist engineering services and factory maintenance services.

Our specialised engineering services include: • Automated machinery design and manufacture • Factory layout design • Factory assessment and efficiency reporting • Project management • Component design & manufacture

Amble Inn Motel Masterton Your Hosts Graham & Debbie

NZDRA & NZHRA Members Rates

• Automation and electrical services • Engineering maintenance services

Richard Hercock & Robert Wood 6-8 Pirani Place, Palmerston North

06/377 4159 0508 262 534 info@ambleinn.co.nz

124 Chapel Street Masterton www.ambleinn.co.nz

Phone: 06 354 9139

Email: office@rrperformanceengineering.co.nz Masterton Motorplex 2018 25

ABOUT THE NATIONALS

National Championship Series and 50th NZ Nationals explained New Zealand

The NZ Nationals represent the culmination of the drag racing season.

Competitors will be looking to earn points to add to those already accumulated at the four previous rounds of the New Zealand National Championship Series with the aim of being crowned New Zealand Champion in their class.

There have been four meetings in the New Zealand National Champion Series so far - the Super Street Nationals at Tokoroa, Central Nationals at Masterton, Summer Nationals at Taupo and Southern Nationals at Motueka.

Competitors earn 20 points for each meeting they attend with an extra 20 points the first time they travel from the North to South Island or vice versa.

They earn 100 points for a win, 80 points for second, 60 for making the semi-final and 40 for making the quarterfinal. They also earn points for being in the top eight in the qualifying rounds.

Competitors don’t have to attend every meeting but the more they attend, the higher their chances of being crowned champion in their class, with many competitors being just a few points ahead or behind their rivals by the time of the New Zealand Nationals.

The trophies for the New Zealand Champion and runner-up in each class are presented

at a black tie event in June, held in Wellington for the previous two years.

that are awarded at the end of the event to the winner and runner-up in each class.

The New Zealand Nationals is a special event in its own right. It has its own trophies for first and second place

This is the 50th year the New Zealand Nationals have been held. They were originally a standalone event before coming under the auspices of the New Zealand Drag Racing Association in 1994

East Taratahi

The New Zealand Nationals has its own special aura with many drag racers making this the one event they compete at each year. It also often sees the return of cars after an absence of some years.

BUILDING SUPPLIES

CUSTOM SHED SPECIALISTS

Stockist of Racing Methanol (Drum Size only)

• Pre nail frames • Trusses • Timber, hardware, paint • Plaster, concrete products • Sheds, shelters, gates 22 William Wong Place, Carterton | Phone 06 379 6811 26 Masterton Motorplex 2018

MANUFACTURER

Birth of an industry 1967 was not just the birth of official drag racing in New Zealand – it was also the birth of New Zealand’s drag racing industry.

Graham Berry travelled from his home in Lower Hutt to watch the racing at the makeshift track at the open cast coal mine at Kopuku.

“I was hooked, I’m afraid. I went back home and built drag vehicles for a couple of guys who were interested.”

Graham was a pattern maker at the New Zealand Railways workshop at Woburn, where he learned to make wooden patterns that would then be cast in metal.

He left the Railway workshop and started his own pattern making business with Dave Chung, which attracted more and more drag racing enthusiasts.

Graham recalls that the dragsters up till then were “pretty horrible home-built things. They used to build dragsters out of anything they could find, and they didn’t have the most powerful engines at the time. Mostly old Ford V8s

and things like that.”

This led Graham and Dave to build New Zealand’s first professionally constructed dragsters.

It was when the first purpose-built drag strip opened at Meremere, south of Auckland, in 1973 that things really got going, Graham says.

As well as building dragsters for customers, Graham and his partners built and raced their own dragsters from the late 1960s to 1982.

“We had the fastest cars but never won a national championship – I’m not taking the blame for that!”

But Graham’s dragsters did break quite a few records, including being the first to run over 200mph in a Funny Car in 1978, which for Graham was the highlight of his career.

Graham never raced the dragsters himself.

“I drove one once and made an absolute fool of myself and so decided to keep on making them instead of driving them.”

Open 7 Days BAR OPEN

Mon - Fri from 3pm Sat - Sun from 11am

CAFE

DINNER - Daily from 5pm LUNCH Sat - Sun from 11am

• Great Atmosphere • Awesome Food • Friendly Service • Function Room • Separate Bar

Dine with us over this weekend and receive a complimentary loaf/dessert *Valid 17 - 18 March 2018

P: 06 3777 308 • 49 Dixon Street, Masterton W: lonestar.co.nz • E: masterton@lonestar.co.nz

In 1984 Graham opened another business specialising in building classic racing car replicas, selling around 30 to the United States.

Now retired, Graham constructs intricate miniature car models.

He still attends a couple of Masterton Motorplex meetings each season.

“I went to the last Auckland Invasion meeting. I loved it because you meet all these guys from Auckland that I used to muck around with.”

Faulknors

1-3 Queen Street Masterton P: 377 1188

Kuripuni

229 Chapel Street Masterton P: 377 1253

Smith Hare & Christison 191-207 High Street North Carterton P: 379 8804

Masterton Motorplex 2018 27

BOARD MEMBERS

Meet the

Board who keep Masterton Motorplex on track

Being on the Board of Masterton Motorplex is not about meeting around tables to make decisions. All its 15 members have practical jobs to do, with help also coming from about another 15 to 30 volunteers.

Grant Benvenuti

Grant has been on the Board since 1999. An electrician by trade, Grant originally joined the Board to look after the timing system. Grant also uses his contract management experience to work on the various contracts and other legal documents the Board is involved with. On race weekend, Grant oversees the timing system, the seeding and laddering of the racers as well as doing any other stray electrical jobs. Grant also runs a short “training session” for new racers at the start of the weekend and compiles and publishes the official results at the end of the race meeting.

Ricky Blade

Ricky’s role with MMP is providing accounting support and advice to the Board and preparing annual financial statements. “Having been a qualified automotive engineer prior to becoming an accountant, I have maintained an interest in specialised cars and have owned a few American muscle cars,

the current one being a 1968 Pontiac Firebird.”

Allan Blythe

Allan has returned to the Board for a second time. “On race day I do anything I’m asked to do or which needs done – packing up after meeting and sometimes setting them up, depending on family commitments.

I try and walk the pits and speak to drivers to see if there are any issues, keep a safety eye out, and mention things to drivers and crew that might need a mention. I hang around the staging lanes in case I’m needed.”

Nicole Butler

Nicole has volunteered for eight years and joined the Board 12 months ago.

“My job is in the Portacom. I place the cars into their classes and enter car numbers. This gets sent to the tower (Portatree) so the race lights can be activated to start the race. I really enjoy working here – lots of action and great people to work with.”

Steve Carlsen

Steve is the newest member of MMP Board. “I stopped drag racing 30 years ago then got involved with the building of the new strip.

“I got the bug back bad with this fantastic facility on my door step I had to go racing.”

A local business owner, Steve has been hugely generous in providing his own machinery and time for free which has saved MMP many thousands of dollars.

Tracey Cooper

Tracey came on board with MMP in 2001, starting out as a racer. Within a year she was talked into being Secretary, a role she held for 12 years.

“Getting the new purpose-built track was a high priority for me and took a lot of planning. It is an amazing facility for Wairarapa to have and awesome for drag racing in New Zealand.”

On race weekends you can find Tracey in the Entry Booth and Pit Control, as well as looking after the Group 1 cars.

In the past 17 years Tracey has only missed one race meeting.

Tony Van Helmond

Tony has been on the Board for nine years but helped with Scrutineering and other roles before then. He is the current NZDRA Area Steward at race meetings and also the NZDRA Tech Inspector. On the day he pre-inspects the track, and also gives the all clear after an oil spill, rain or accident. He also does random Tech inspections on the day.

Colin McCarthy

Colin has been the Starter at the track since 2007, and a board member since 2001. He used to race a 57 Chev B Block before becoming a full member.

Danny Reiri

Danny has been with MMP for almost 20 years. He’s the Track Prep person who rubberises the track before each meeting with a John Deere tractor and

Photo/Stephen Virtue

Jim & Sylvia Wildermoth are proud supporters of Masterton Motorplex

Carterton Realty Limited 111 High Street North, Carterton. 06 379 6699 Licensed under the real Estate Agents Act 2008

Carterton Realty Limited – 111 High Street North, Carterton. 06 379 6699 Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

28 Masterton Motorplex 2018

BOARD MEMBERS

“My jobs involve racer registration, pit controller and pit running, organising classes, making sure correct pairings are in the staging lanes and organising staff who make sure we have a constant flow of racers to make a great flow and experience for spectators.

“My passion for drag racing has been a life-time experience from watching my dad race, and now my own child, and partner.”

David Wolstenholme The Masterton Motorplex Board (from left) Danny Reiri, Tony Van Helmond, Bob Wilton, Colin McCarthy, Steve Carson, Anneke Vermeer, Paul Rose, Hollee Wilton, Grant Benvenuti, Nicole Butler, Gerry Rose, Tracey Cooper, Allan Blythe & Dave Wolstenholme.

then with Paul Rose gives it the VP traction treatment. His expertise allow racers to get the best race times. He was the Race Starter for many years but now is a Start Line Official.

Gerry Rose

Gerry has been on the Board for nine years. He is pit manager at the track on race days and also does tractor broom duties out on the track.

Paul Rose

Paul has been on the Board since 2000. “I came on as starter at the airport for a couple of season until a health problem caused me to stand down. I became interested in traction compounds and their usage and

effectiveness, and then took over track prep after Garry Taylor and Dave Chung retired.”

Now MMP’s track prep guru, Paul with the assistance of Danny Reri, does the rubbering chores.

On race day I am continually checking on track conditions, track temperatures and weather conditions. I also keep an eye on the immediate startline area to assist racers and our own start line personel.

Anneke Vermeer

This is Anneke’s 10th season with MMP as a volunteer. Five years ago she became Secretary and a Board member. “During a race weekend you will see me at driver registration on

Friday night and Saturday mornings and then jumping between Portacom – where all the computer work is done and Pit Trailer to help with inquiries.

Bob Wilton

Chair of MMP and Event Co-ordinator, on race day Bob is also the Race Director making sure everything goes right in the timing tow, pit control and on the start line. He gives the early morning briefing to the drivers and crews. Bob has been involved with drag racing in Wairarapa since the very first street races.

Hollee Wilton

Hollee has been a part of Masterton Motorplex since 2005.

A Board member for 15 years, David is responsible for seeing that the track is set up on Friday night with regards to sensors, start line lights, computers and printers. “On race days I sit at a computer screen, printing out the seedings, results and the next round of racing, supervising the group of lovely lady volunteers that input the racers into the database and the cars as they race. I have to resolve racer complaints about the timing system or collate the relevant information so that the correct official can make an informed decision.

I monitor the time and the number of rounds of racing per class we have so that the meeting and the racers flow and we have as few breaks as possible at the end of the meeting. Any breakdown to the electrical or timing system I repair.”

FULTON HOGAN MASTERTON If you are building a new home, renovating an existing property, or developing a carpark area, ring for a no obligation free quote.

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Ph (06) 3777 315 Buchanan Place, Waingawa Masterton 5810 P O Box 853, Masterton www.fultonhogan.com Masterton Motorplex 2018 29

PHOTOGRAPHER & ANNOUNCER

Keeping the public informed Although aware of drag racing, Gavin Doughty didn’t get involved until the 1980s, first helping with building and crewing on a few vehicles before starting his announcer career in the early 1990s, mainly for Capital Rodders when they ran their street drags events in Porirua and Trentham.

“It was a long time ago, but I was on the committee and I think we needed an announcer. I talk a lot so I think I must have said I would give it a go.”

Things accelerated, so to speak, with the introduction of ¼ mile drags at

Masterton’s Hood aerodrome in 1998.

“Really from there, the rest is history. I had also started to attend meetings at Meremere to work alongside the late Kevin Manwell-Stevens.

“I really admire the drags racers, their ability to achieve great results, many if not most on limited budgets. To me, these achievements far outweigh the achievements of the international multimillion dollar teams.”

Gavin now regularly announces at most of the tracks throughout

New Zealand.

The essential role of the announcer is to inform spectators about what they are seeing, from the details of the cars to the pedigree of the drivers.

“I enjoy what I do although I would like to make it to the South Island tracks a little more. My home track is Masterton Motorplex which is about two hours’ drive from where I live.

“The friendships are amazing. People from all over the country – in fact the world – racers, officials, promotors,

crew, volunteers.

They all make for a great sport.”

Justin Hansen has been part of the team at Masterton Motorplex since 2001 when, armed with what was then a cutting edge digital camera, he began capturing images of race cars at the track.

“Back then there were no local photographers attending meetings on a regular basis and nobody providing regular reports for the many motoring magazines.

“Being a motor mechanic meant that none of these things were in my repertoire of skills, but with a little help and perseverance, and with Alistair Davidson from NZ Petrolhead

Magazine entrusting me with the opportunity to submit a report and photographs after each meeting, I reported on almost every meeting from that point on.

“I have to say that photographing a full two-day meeting, and then reporting on it in an interesting and engaging way is quite a challenge, especially where a non-academic person like myself is involved!”

Another thing missing then was promotional material and posters, and no website

for racers to get the entry forms and other information they needed in electronic format.

“With some basic selftaught website skills already up my sleeve, [MMP Chair Bob Wilton] agreed to let me have a go at building a track website.”

A full rebuild of the website was completed recently with features such as

being smart-phone friendly, search functions, different areas for racers and spectators, and various documents, newsfeeds, and online entry forms.

Connecting Masterton Motorplex to the wider world

Starting with humble Word and Publisher and then progressing to Photoshop, Justin has been creating the posters for MMP meeting for the past decade.

Due to family commitments, Justin stepped aside as track photographer and reporter in 2014 but continues to be involved with the MMP website, Facebook and poster design.

LET US HELP YOU...

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Masterton Motorplex 2018 31

AQ-180615-CMNZ