The excessive speeds and side-by-side nail-biting competitions are guaranteed to give sensory overload for spectators at drag racing, one of motorsports fastest-growing and entertaining sports. Those that fancied themselves as the racing type, with a moderately fast car, were afforded the perfect opportunity to race other wannabe’s down the quarter-mile (400m) strip at the Dezzi South Coast Raceway last Saturday for the Naturally Aspirated Drag event.
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As drivers sat tense with anticipation at the starting line, it was all systems go at the green light as they pulled out all the stops and pushed their cars as fast as possible to the finish line. The barrage of old school cars such as Toyota’s, Ford Escorts, Nissan Skylines and the more modern Nissan GT-Rs and BMWs delighted spectators with their incredible performances.
Oslo Beach drag racer Siv’s Naicker said that the racing may be over but, he honestly can’t wait to get back in his race car for the next event. “This drag has been a challenge, and I am looking to move forward and faster,” he grinned.
Siv’s pointed out that drivers got a chance to burn some serious rubber at the event. “The drivers handled themselves with professionalism and class, constantly working hard to break into the winner’s circle.”
Race organiser Prethiven Naidoo told the Herald that the weather was perfect for drag racing. “Small tailwind, no timing issues and no major oil spills. It started with Dezmond Gutzeit taking his tractor and scrubbing the track, thereafter we scraped of excess rubber. The rest we left to the dragsters, and they didn’t disappoint!”
Karthy Naidoo was consistent with a 9.8-second pass and Donovan Govender smashed his personal best with a 9.7-second pass. Other personal bests included Tashan Govender (11.2 seconds), Donovan Govender (11.2 seconds), Sivz Naicker (11.3 seconds), Karen Naidoo (10 seconds), Burton Paliam (9.5 seconds) and Mohammed Amla (11 seconds). The fastest Mercedes in the country got to the finish line in 10.7 seconds.
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