Australia’s Top Fuel season begun on Saturday but it wasn’t the only nitro action down under with New Zealand seeing its first pairing of locally owned Top Fuel dragsters at Fram Autolite Dragway’s Nitro Shootout in Meremere.
Earl Edwards from Popeye Pics was there to capture what has gone down as one of New Zealand’s biggest drag racing events yet.
Although the much anticipated four second barrier was not broken, Anthony Marsh went quicker than anyone ever before on New Zealand soil with a 5.089 run. Marsh had tuning assistance from Dom Lagana over the weekend on the ex-Jim Read Racing rail, now into its third country.
Onboard with Anthony Marsh on his record setting 5.08/272 pass. A little bit of fire through the top end but not too much to stress about when you have just blitzed the record.
After a spectacular fireball earlier in the week, Reece Fish recovered and put down some good early figures, particularly on his last pass of the night, going 3.45 to the eighth mile, the 205mph speed reflecting he was already off the throttle by then.
Good to see 2009 ANDRA Top Bike champion Athol Williams back in the seat.
Willy White returned to NZ from recent exploits in the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Series, back in his big show car.
Top Fuel weren’t the only ones pushing barriers with Wayne Yearbury setting a hot 6.16 second pace in Top Doorslammer.
Karen Hay’s turbocharged big block roadster scored its first six second pass. More on this one soon!
ANDRA Super Compact champion Rod Harvey was back across the ditch and preparing for the upcoming 4 and Rotary New Zealand Nationals, running 6.75/208.
Spike Allen’s wild turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa clocked an 8.60 best. It has run into the sevens before.
Jason Harrison’s 520ci turbocharged Chev ran a 9.34/139mph break out in the first round in Super Sedan. Black and boxy, what’s not to love?
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