Tuning up and ready to race

NO CONCERNS: Bob Wilton at the Masterton Motorplex new drag racing track. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Masterton Motorplex Drag Racing Club's new track will come under the microscope this weekend.

Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday is a "test and tune" meet, which will be the final dress rehearsal before the grand opening and first official event is held on February 15 and 16.

Just how many cars will be involved in this weekend's action won't be known until Saturday as there are no pre-entry requirements for prospective competitors, but club president Bob Wilton is expecting in the region of 150.

"There are a lot of drivers from all over the country itching to try out our track ... we won't be short of numbers for a decent work-out, that's for sure," Wilton said.

At the same time, however, Wilton warns that not everything will be completely up to scratch at what is only the second purpose-built drag racing facility in the country.

For instance, the pits will be in one of the public car parks because the grass growth in the area set aside for that function has been a little slower than anticipated and the club wants it to be in tip-top shape for the February event.

"Obviously we will be making every effort to ensure a smoothly-run meeting, but it's all part of a learning curve for us.

"The important thing is to have any problems sorted out before opening day and this is the opportunity to do that."

Wilton has no such concerns, however, as to whether the new track, which is 20m wide and 900m long and has a 1 per cent uphill gradient after the finish line to help slow vehicles, will live up to expectations in a racing sense.

"It will be absolutely brilliant," he said. "The times from the faster cars will be electric."