KEY POINTS:
Around 20,000 drag racing fans and import car fanatics have descended on Champion Dragway at Meremere south of Auckland to wind up the year's biggest 'boy racer' weekend.
Organisers of the annual V Four and Rotary Nationals said there had been no trouble from the huge crowd, showing that only a small percentage of modified car fans are the so-called 'boy racers' that cause trouble.
In fact, promoter Azhar Bhamji said the only real drama today came when a drag car's parachute failed to open at well over 200km/h.
But the driver managed to stop safely, despite rocketing down the quarter mile strip in just 8.4 seconds.
"There has been no trouble at all," he said, "the police are here and they have been very happy with the crowd's behaviour."
"There are 225 cars entered for the racing - that's a lot of cars off the street, racing legally and safely. It's a win-win situation for everyone."
Entertainment other than the high-speed racing a huge waterslide, a beach volleyball tournament, motocross displays, the obligatory bikini competition - and, of course, a safety-marshal controlled burnout competition to finish up the day.
The two-day event's car show took place at Greenlane Expo Centre yesterday, also attracting thousands of visitors.
A wide range of highly modified vehicles saw immaculately restored rotary-engined Mazdas from the 1970s, high performance late model Japanese and European cars, lowriders and minitrucks.
Some owners chasing trophies at the show had spent up to, and over, $100,000 building their unique and individual rides.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
