Who’s running the numbers? New Zealand’s quickest street and drag cars

12 November, 2015

 

In every issue of NZV8 magazine we feature a list titled New Zealand’s Quickest Drag Racers (as seen below). The list isn’t so much one to celebrate historical achievements, but to give those who are currently competing the credit they deserve. As such, it’s updated on a monthly basis to not only include new entrants, but also to show which drivers have improved their PBs.

Included on the list is any V8-powered vehicle that runs 8.99 seconds or quicker, regardless of which class they race in. The only exception being streetcars, which fall into our separate Quickest Streetcars List, that we also run, assuming they meet the legal criteria. For the streetcar list, the time cut-off is 9.99 seconds or quicker, since nine seconds seems to be the new benchmark for what quantifies a quick streeter these days. You can see who’s currently on that list here.

As a general rule, we’ve always asked for drivers themselves to keep us informed of their times and progress, but we’ve also made an effort to hunt out the information as much as possible. However, that’s where we now need your help.

With so many new cars running into the eight- or nine-second zones, it’s now more important than ever to remove those no longer competing, to give those that are the room they require.

If you’re on the list, but have parked the car up for a few seasons, or sold it, we’d love to hear from you. Likewise, if you’re not on either list and should be, then please do let us know. The easiest way is by emailing [email protected]. Even if you’re not on the list, but have it on good authority that someone should/shouldn’t be, we’ll take your word for it. 

So get emailing!

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.