Nigel Dixon set a new national record for the Top Doorslammers. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
MOTORSPORT
CHRIS COGDALE
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A national record in the Top Doorslammer class was the highlight of the grand final of the national drag racing series at the Masterton Motorplex over the weekend.
Hamilton’s Nigel Dixon was in outstanding form in his 2003 Ford Falcon over both days, clocking times in the low six-second range in all three runs.
Dixon’s best time came on his second run on Saturday, stopping the clock at 6.097 seconds at 236.89mph.
In Sunday’s final against Featherston’s Gavin Green, Dixon was marginally outside that time with a 6.105-second run, but a quicker speed of 237.89mph.
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Simon Fowke won the Top Alcohol class in 6.415 seconds at 219.84mph, from Carterton’s Jordan Robertson. The fastest time, though, went to New Zealand’s fastest woman Tamara Silk, at 5.86453s and 214.81mph, however, a blown valve curtailed her championship hopes.
Other winners were Mike Coward in the Competition class, Ben McLeod in the Modifieds, Roger Binnema in the Super Stocks, Glenn Munro in Super Street, Jen Gibbons in Super Sedan, and Victoria Steiner in the Junior Dragsters.
Jackson Wilton, the grandson of Masterton Motorplex president Bob Wilton, had a weekend to remember setting a national record in the Competition Bike class, with a time of 9.702s at 148.62mph on his 2008 Suzuki GSXR.
Chris Lysaght won the Modified Bikes, and Simon Banks took out the Screaming Eagles motorbike class.
Bob Wilton was thrilled with the response for the final meeting of the season after the disruptions over the past six months because of covid-19 restrictions.
He said 156 cars and bikes entered over the two days, and there were good crowds on Saturday and Sunday.
Wilton expects the next meeting at the Motorplex will be held in October or November, at the start of the new season.
