30 July 2009
World’s fastest NASCAR readied for Speedshow
The world’s fastest NASCAR has arrived in New Zealand into the care of its new Kiwi owner Ken Vincent, a former drag
racing world champion, prior to its exclusive appearance at Speedshow ’09 in September this year.
The NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger was driven by American multiple land and water speed record-holder Russ Wicks to set a
world land speed record for the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) class of 244.9 mph (397 km/h) in
2007. Wicks’ feat was accomplished on the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats and verified by the Guinness Book of
Records.
After the car’s appearance as one of the main showpieces at Speedshow ’09, it will be used by Vincent in an attempt to
break the current New Zealand land speed record of 216.39 mph (348.24 km/h) held by Aucklander Owen Evans.
Vincent, from Karaka south of Auckland, says the car is currently in a local workshop where the underside is being
cleaned of salt from its Bonneville runs.
“It’s amazing just how much salt is in the undercar components,” says Vincent. “We have had to remove all of the front
and rear suspension, brakes, etc. and Alan Kemp, who’s preparing the car for me, is spending hours spraying the
under-body with salt killer, wiping it off, and then watching the salt come back again. Amazing, but we will get it
right!
“In the meantime, we’ve confirmed that Eastern Automotive Performance Centre, run by well-known racing driver Paul
Manuell, will supply a supercharged big block Chevrolet 900HP engine for our land speed record attempt, which is simply
called the ‘New Zealand Land Speed Challenge’.”
Vincent says he’s currently talking to sponsors and searching for a suitable road on which to conduct the land speed
record attempt.
“This will probably be in the South Island, but we haven’t confirmed the exact details yet. The primary focus is to
ensure the car is in perfect condition for Speedshow ’09 where we’ll be onsite with the car to talk to fans about this
unique NASCAR, one of the first to be on show to the public in New Zealand.”
Speedshow ’09 takes place at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 September with tickets
available from Ticketek. Visitors are invited to sign up for free, informative newsletters about the show and its
planned exhibits by clicking on the Speedshow news alerts link on the homepage of www.speedshow.co.nz.
ENDS/