'Queen' set for big drag event

FEMALE STAR: Karen Hay is heading to Masterton.PHOTO/FILE

The appearance of New Zealand's Queen of the Drags will be a highlight of a busy programme at the grand opening of the Masterton Motorplex Drag Racing Club's new track this coming weekend.

Karen Hay from Tauranga has no peers among the current crop of female racers when it comes to sheer speed. A national titleholder, she has already had her Evil 11 roadster rocketing along at speeds in excess of 320km/h over a 400m course.

"She is a gun ... an absolute gun," Masterton Motorplex president Bob Wilton said of Hay.

"She's never been to Masterton before, but that won't stop her going fast, very fast."

Hay was introduced to drag racing through her father, Lindsay Hay, who raced in the 1970s and early 1980s, but it wasn't until about 10 years ago she finally convinced her father to let her get behind the wheel.

And so began a passion for the sport that has seen her claim a series of class records in the purpose-built 2ZT dragster she has raced since 2009, and a national championship success in 2012.

Quick as she is, however, it is very unlikely Hay will be a serious contender for fastest time honours at the Masterton meet.

Wilton is anticipating an entry of 180 racers from Whangarei in the north to Invercargill and Dunedin in the deep south and expects the slickest in the competition classes to reach speeds of about the 402km/h mark.

"I'd think we'll have the fastest drags covering the 400m in the low six seconds, they'll be flying," Wilton said.

"Spectators will get their money's worth, that's for sure."

While he admits the organisation of the grand meet opening will keep Masterton Motorplex club members "extremely busy" over the next few days, Wilton said a "test and tune" event a couple of weeks back had provided an excellent learning experience in that respect, and he was not expecting any problems.

"About the only worry we might have is catering for all the cars in the pit area.

"I think we might be close to maximum usage there.

"It's a good problem to have though, isn't it?"

Saturday's action, which will include the track being officially opened by a representative of major sponsors, Trust House, will get under way at 10am and most of the racing that day will act as qualifying for the finals to be held on Sunday.