Nelson Drag Racing Association - History
Nelson Drag Racing Association was formed in 1993. Out of a need for a local facility, the small handful of local racers were having to drive to the nearest track in Christchurch 400km away to race. Some of the founding members are still a big part of what they started including John Gourdie and Wayne Stirling.
1993 from the left Wayne Stirling, John Gourdie and Brian Choate
Starting on the streets with legal road closures including Redwoods Rd, Bartletts Rd, Chamberlain St single lane ¼ mile plus St Vincent St, Akersten St, Vickerman St side by side 1/8 & ¼ miles. We even had Drags Car Vs Jet Sprint boats on Akersten St. The boats needing a flying start to be competitive.
Then with the help of the late Ian Gourdie our club Patron for many years, a very keen supporter and adviser, in 1997 he pointed the club to Motueka Airfield. To get on their Stu Parris Torana Ute and Wayne Stirling Roadster were used at a trial for sound compliance , surface test which was very average, loose coarse chip seal was a problem.
After resource consent was granted in 1998 we then laid 60 metres of concrete for a burnout pad/ start line. This was followed with widening and asphalting the surface.
To what we have today The Rock 94.4 FM Drag Strip, a full ¼ mile with a short braking area.
Tristan, Wayne and John
The Bush Inn 150 year Anniversary
Past Presidents in order are
Wayne Stirling
Peter Stirling
Craig Webby
John Gourdie
Tristan Scalmer
Craig Wray
John Gourdie
Wayne Stirling
Karl Dykes
Preston Brunell
Jillian Morrison
Michael “Spike” Lauria (Current)
The Rock 94.4 FM Drag Strip has seen many great performances.
On the 26th Nov.2011 our current track record was smashed by
John Nelian in his Digga TA/Dragster 5.88 @239mph-382kmh will long be remembered by those in attendance.
Quote John: "the car felt good going down the track but said 239mph would be the limit for the short length track"
Breaking Victor Bray's record 6.4 @220mph-352kph while touring NZ in the Masters of Horse Power Tour in 2002.This record stood for 9 seasons.
Morice McMillin Shapes Roadies Funny Car going into the record books with the quickest Funny Car ever.
6.10 @200mph-320kph 7th April 2012.
Below is a small selection of posters from Nelson Drag Racing Association's race meetings over the years.
Please click on any poster to view a larger picture.
