THE evening rain may have halted Sunday’s National Drag Racing Circuit’s (NDRC) Supligen Drag Challenge number one at Vernamfield in Clarendon, but not before two significant milestones were set in attendance and a new quarter-mile time record.

“We had 134 racers in the qualifying round, which is a new NDRC record for entries,” Stephen Gunter, NDRC executive member, told Auto.

The numbers game continued as the NDRC signed up 21 new racers and had five of their classes filled, giving the massive crowd on hand the drag-racing fix they so craved, as the action literally continued non-stop. It was all topped off by the Mustang from Bad Breed Racecraft setting a new fastest-ever quarter-mile record, running an 8.691 at 154.85 mph, beating the old record of 8.726 seconds.

Keeping the excitement high into the elimination rounds was the hot lap method, where each class was run down to the final two, ensuring precious little break in the racing action. Eventually, the threatening clouds burst open, stopping the event just before 5:30 pm. The heavy rainfall inundated the track, and the racing stewards it was deemed it unsafe to continue.

“The public is very understanding that the weather caused the premature end of the race meet and have expressed their satisfaction with the level of competition and excitement. There is great anticipation for the next meet on May 18,” Gunter said.

As standard procedure, suitable arrangements will be made to competitors as per the NDRC’s policy on incomplete events due to rain.

“All drivers who raced in eliminations will receive payouts and championship points according to their results and round of racing achieved. Prize packages normally awarded to class winners will instead be awarded to the number one qualifier in each class,” explained Gunter.