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DRAGSTERS and drag racing fans are counting down the days for the third instalment of the 2014 Telecel Drag Racing Series to be held at Donnybrook Racetrack in Harare this Saturday.
According to Kiv Speight, a committee member of the Dragpro Club who run the sport of drag racing in Zimbabwe, they are expecting a large contingent of passionate competitors, racing everything from small family hatchbacks to seriously focused, ultra powerful tuned machinery.
“This time we’re delighted to announce the rather special additional attraction of the ‘Rail Car’ from South Africa, piloted and owned by Reg Murray, an ex-Zimbabwean motor racing champion from years past. This will be the second appearance for this amazing, purpose designed vehicle at a Dragpro Series event, following on from its first attendance last year in July,” Speight said.
One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be the ongoing feud between the two fastest vehicles of previous events, these being the two Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Superbikes of Les Carlsson and Phil Archenoul.
Both are mostly unmodified Stock machines from the Street, but have provided spectators with a thrilling example of the classic dual of the Quarter Mile Sprint — the World Standard of Drag Racing.
With Elapsed times of around 10.4 seconds from a standing start, and Terminal speeds in the region of 230Kph, it is testament to the mighty power and capability of these modern machines.
In the Car Classes, the reigning machine to beat is the AC Cobra of Alan Cacace. Fans were hoping to witness the long awaited return of either the Subaru WRX STI driven by Kevin Allmark, or the equally iconic yellow Beach Buggy previously owned and driven by the late drag racing pioneer, Patrick O’Hara, to put up a worthy contest against the AC Cobra, but for the time being it seems racing fans will have to wait a little longer for this highly anticipated “Battle of the Kings”.
The Sound Off Competition sponsored by Audiocity will also be held on the day which pits competing vehicles with high end car audio installations against each other for various categories including most powerful installation.
Of course there will also be the usual Family Fun in the form of jumping castles for the kids, full bar and catering and stalls. “So there we have it — a festival of man and machine eagerly and passionately competing for the top honours with dozens of other competitors, piloting all types of (mostly) petrol-powered vehicles, with the sole aim of crossing that line the fastest. It should be a Cracker!
Online Reporter