Media release
Waikato Drag Racers Run well at Taupo Thunder Drag Racing Events
Hamilton’s Alan Thoresen has won the Nitro Nostalgia Reunion Drag Racing Event in the Bike Class held at Taupo Thunder
Dragway December 28th / 20th on his Kawasaki ZX14 Black Thunder III. He then went on to take out Runner up in Modified
Bike with Dean Veale ( Auckland ) Taking the win at the NZDRA Summer Nationals also held at Taupo Thunder Dragway on
January 2nd and 3rd.
Alan’s Wife Violet Thoresen also raced her Kawasaki 250 Motorcycle at the event, which is her first National Event since
a motorcycle crash and two major operations from Easter last year.
Unfortunately in the second round of eliminations Violet and her husband Alan were drawn to race each other, and whilst
she had a 9.5 sec handicap against her husbands much larger bike, Alan managed to catch and overtake Violet just before
the finish line.
The events were very well supported which featured International Nostalgia Drag Racers and their Nitro Cars from the
USA.
The events attracted some 138 Entries from around New Zealand in the various Drag Racing Classes.
Other Waikato Racers who took out Placing’s in the Nostalgia Event were Bob Owens from Te Awamutu and Roger Murray from
Hamilton.
Junior Drag Racers included Greg Price Motor Sport ( Cambridge) with Driver Keiran Phillips and Malcom Price with his
son Keiran Price driving.
Hamilton’s Gary (Grease) Martin and Andrew Rae frpm Early Time Motors, were forced out of the events with a Blown Piston
in their Competition Front Engine Dragster, which was disappointing as they are a strong contender at these Drag Racing
Meets.
Hamilton’s Morice Mc Millan ran a Top Dorr Slammer and his father Noel ran a Model T Truck in the Taupo Drag Racing
Events.
From South in the Waikato from Tokoroa, Brian Reece raced a Ducati Motorcycle and his son Jacob raced a Yamaha 125
Junior Drag Bike. Jacob succeeded in taking Runner up in the NZDRA Summer Nationals, with Keiran Phillips taking the
win. For Information and results see www.nzdra.co.nz or www.taupodrags.co.nz.
ENDS