> 9➤ Walking on the Moon
ON the same day, the world recalled Neil Armstrong’s first
step on the moon 50 years ago Don Garlits, now aged 87
broke another drag-racing speed record reaching 189.
miles per hour in his Swamp Rat 38 electric dragster. Garlits
target is to be the first person to reach 200 mph in an electric
dragster. Many readers may remember when Don Garlits
initially ran a 200mph quarter-mile pass in a Hemi-powered
Swamp Rat in 1964. That magical 200mph electric goal might
have surpassed had two cells in his battery pack not been
depleted, which has the same effect as running a V8 on seven
cylinders. With Don’s propensity for being at the cutting
edge of technological advancement plus his track record for
setting new records and design benchmarks, we think it’s
inevitable that the record will fall to him. What a legend!
➤ My Guinness
HOW’S this for a unique looking air cleaner top. Rotorua’s
Kevin Saunders found this online and while it is something
you would probably hang on the wall of a bar he thought
it would be a cool addition to dress up the 401ci Buick
in his ‘34 Chev sedan, and at a Surf City rod run he
was given a Guinness can for a radiator overflow.
From Bruce Taylor.
➤ Unfinished Business
NEXT season’s drag racing program is going to be
huge! The Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars have
some unfinished business in New Zealand and 2020
will see the popular series visit not one but two tracks.
The first stop will see eight Nitro funny cars and the
popular Nitro Sheriff Wheel stander from Australia put
on a show at Meremere Dragway on February 22nd- Track manager Gary Bogaart says, “these guys
know how to entertain and we can’t wait to work with
them to bring both new and old fans to the track”. The
event will also include the popular Pit party adding to
the experience for fans both young and old. It’s an hour-
long party in the pits for the whole family, a chance
for the public to get up close to the cars and meet
the drivers, face painting, Kids activities, Fun Zone,
giveaways and so much more. It allows the families
to really engage with their favourite car or driver”,
explained Series Manager Kiwi Morice McMillin.
Masterton Motorplex will then play host to the second
Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny cars event on March 21st - The biggest overseas tour seen at the lower North
Island facility has track manager Bob Wilton looking
forward to what the event can bring to the track and the
community. “Its huge - we don’t have this many nitro
cars in New Zealand let alone eight of them all racing
at once. These guys are famous for putting on a side by
side race and we can’t wait for it to happen at MMP.”
And its not just the Nitro cars Bob is looking forward
to “I have seen first-hand the popularity of Chelsea
Leahy in the wheel stander, she is going to be a hit
doing full track wheelies in the police themed Camaro”.
Event and ticketing details will be released soon.
Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars New Zealand Tour
Event 1: Meremere Dragway February 22nd 2020
Event 2: Masterton Motorplex March 21st 2020