THE National Drag Racing Circuit (NDRC), organisers of Drag Challenge #3, is expecting an exciting day of drag racing action on Sunday at Vernamfield in Clarendon.

“Our Test & Tune went very, very well [last week] and we expect continued close racing,” Stephen Gunter, NDRC executive member, told

Auto.

The Test & Tune session is usually the bell-wether for the meet. Sixty-six competitors showed up to take advantage of the free session, while 30 drivers pre-registered.

More significantly, the treatment of the Vernamfield surface with traction compound has seen several competitors turn in personal best times.

“A lot of competitors have gone back to the drawing board to maximise their set-ups for the added traction,” said Gunter.

The se-tup refinements haven’t been limited to the drivers as the NDRC has been doing their best to enhance the product overall, starting with applying the compound the day before their events. The timing boards have been positioned for better crowd viewing, and they have been testing the self-start function of their new timing equipment.

“We hope to phase in the auto-start timing system as the season progresses,” he explained.

The big change for the event is the amendment to NDRC rule 4.5 which relates to vehicle ground clearance. It is now illegal to install a beam breaker device to the front of vehicles. According to Gunter, the beam breaker extends from the front of the vehicle and triggers the timing beam giving that driver an unfair advantage.

“A competitor used one at the last meet,” said Gunter.

While the device is legal in certain classes of drag racing, it isn’t under the type and classes within the NDRC.

— Rory Daley