New personal bests for local racers
The first round of the National Drag Racing Championships kicked off and the results look good for our local racers.
The first round of the National Drag Racing Championships kicked off and the results look good for our local racers.
It was a cloudy morning as Leon du Plooy, Michael Ludick, Mark van der Westhuizen and Gerhard Nel headed out to the strip, as the day heated up so did the competition but this didn’t deter the guys.
Leon, driving in his turbo Extreme Clinic Nissan bakkie ran on low boost and managed three sub 9s runs namely an 8.69, 8.65 and 8.63. This netted him the fastest qualifier in his class and he finished second in his class after dialling in a 8.60 in his class eliminations.
Michael, driving his Ludicks Bros BMW did a 9.57 at an exit speed of 235km/h which just happens to be a new personal best for him while Mark also set a new personal best of 9.95 in the Jack Daniels Nissan bakkie – both however fell out at the first round of the eliminations.
“The BMW was bogging because I took the nitrous out; the car is not as responsive out of the box as with the nitrous. We plan to install launch control which will improve my launch and quarter mile time as well as my exit speed,” said Michael.
He went on to say that all the locals ran good times on the day despite the odd hiccup or two.
Michael added that he wished to thank Leon for building him a new turbo in such short notice after his turbo was damaged the Friday before the race when he took the BMW on the dyno.
“It was a real Leon du Plooy turbo special and it’s really responsive, it will play a big role in my time and speed, thanks Leon,” he said.
Leon du Plooy getting some good grip on his launch. (photo: Spectrum Photography)
“Michael can run low 9s with the power that his car is making now. Everything must just be perfect but the car is very strong now,” said Leon.
Gerhard ‘No Limits’ Nel managed only two runs in his newly built Nissan Exa. This was due to a cracked manifold intake. In his first practice run he ran a 13.6.
“I was playing with the car,” he said.
He ran an 11.9 in his first qualification and only in third gear after the manifold cracked, his woes didn’t end there as the oil pan also came loose.
“With some small changes though I will be back and ready come April 27,” he said.
With the next Nationals only being set for April 27 the guys have ample time to perfect and tune their rides and we look forward to seeing them tear it up once more at Tarlton International Raceway.
