Masterton Motorplex Drag Racing Club officials were delighted at the success of the first day of their "test and tune" meeting held on their new complex on Saturday.
In what was a warm-up for the official opening on the weekend of February 15 and 16 for only the second purpose-built facility of its type in the country, some 130 cars were given the opportunity to strut their stuff, and strut it they did.
Those who expected times would be slower than normal while the track surface was still in a "settling in" phase were pleasantly surprised to find some competition cars reaching speeds of around 320km/h and a number of the participants recording personal best times, something which club president Bob Wilton labelled "exciting but a bit bizarre".
"It's hard to believe so many PBs would come on the first day, it's just not the sort of thing you expect from a new track," Wilton said. "If they are doing PBs now, you have to wonder what they will be doing when the surface has had a decent workout ... it's going to be something else!"
Saturday's meet not only gave drivers a prime opportunity to rev up their vehicles but it was also an excellent chance for Masterton club officials to test out the various administrative systems which are so vital to the success of any meeting and Wilton was "over the moon" to see them come through with flying colours.