Hawke's Bay's dragstrip, Thunderpark, was the country's second purpose-built dragstrip. But the thunder stopped in 1997 and the site became a vineyard.
Five years ago, a dedicated dragstrip was built in Masterton to an international standard, and it has been credited with rejuvenating the sport in the lower North Island.
"Some people see this as the number one track in New Zealand," Masterton Motorplex track manager Bob Wilton said.
"We have definitely come a long way in a very short time.
The Masterton Motorplex replaced the nearby aerodrome which was used as a drag strip for several years. That wasn't ideal because racing would have to stop whenever a plane took off or landed.