Drag racing getting better at Vernamfield
Published:Wednesday | December 16, 2015 | 5:06 PMNeville Graham
It was as if all the drivers saved the best for last.
A total of 148 turned up to entertain a bumper crowd with blistering action, superb execution and blinding speed at the final drag racing meet for 2015 at Vernamfield on Sunday.
Executive member of the National Drag Racing Circuit (NDRC) Stephen Gunter says the turnout of drivers was testament to the level of confidence they are now showing in the drag racing product. He notes that there has been big year-on-year growth.
"In 2014, we were seeing average fields of 122 for that series. This year, we saw average fields of 148, which happens to be the number that participated in the final challenge for the year," Gunter said.
He also pointed to the increased number of foreign entries. In 2014, there was a lone Caymanian representative in Michael Williams driving a Mitsubishi Evolution, who managed to win the Pro Racer 9 Second Challenge. This year, there were all of four representatives from Cayman piloting serious machines and laying down good times.
Highlights of meet five included the record run of Xavia Murray - in his Honda Civic - who broke the NDRC Front Wheel Drive record three times. The new record is 10.048 seconds.
The record run of Orville Williams in his Nissan Pulsar also excited the crowd. He set a new NDRC Four Wheel Drive record of 8.944 seconds down the quarter-mile track.
Caymanian Jody Jervis was not to be outdone. He piloted his Nissan Skyline to set new NDRC Rear Wheel Drive 4, 6 and Rotary records twice. The new record is 8.903 seconds.
Gunter says the larger fields also contain better prepped cars, as evidenced by the faster times and a resulting greater level of competition.
"There is no denying that the drivers are better prepared; the times that they are recording are phenomenal," Gunter said.
Plans are already in place for the 2016 Drag Challenge. Gunter would not be drawn on the sponsorship line-up since 'things are at a delicate stage", he said. The NDRC executive was not shy in saying, however, that 2016 will be bigger and better.