The World of Outlaws Doorslammer Challenge involves a group of Sydney’s rising stars brawling it out with New Zealand’s best in a heads-up knockout competition for a total $25,000 purse. The prizemoney on offer is the largest ever payout in local competition and March 11 at lakeside is the only time local fans will get to witness the Aussies racing in New Zealand.
“We went across on a speculative tour to see what was available” said Gavin McLaughlin of Lakeside, “and were blown away by the depth of talent in Sydney alone.” After sitting down with a variety of racer portfolios eventually Sydney’s Sean Mifsud, Brett Gillespie, Peter Lovering and Alf Sciacca were chosen to represent against our best.
Drag racing tours have always been a part of the local scene, but the World of Outlaws is the biggest undertaking ever promoted in New Zealand. All the Aussies are capable of running into the deep six-second zone and will be here to ensure they take home a slice of the prizemoney on offer. The $25,000 purse is the largest offered anywhere in Australasia and it is expected to draw a full 16-car field for the first time ever. “In Australia they still run 8 car fields” said McLaughlin “so we decided to post the biggest prizemoney purse and also open the field up to 16 competitors.”
The World of Outlaws Doorslammer Challenge at Taupo’s Lakeside International Dragway is a pure knockout competition with four rounds of racing beginning at lunchtime on March 11. Gates open at 8am with two rounds of qualifying for hardcore spectators and then into eliminations just after lunch. Expected to be hot on the heals of the Aussies will be David Green, Chris Tynan, Mark Bardsley, Trevor Tynan and newcomer Wayne Yearbury plus a whole bunch of other racers.
Just in case the $25,000 World of Outlaws show isn’t big enough for you, Lakeside management have also posted the largest ever winner-take-all DYO purse for the support show on March 11. One lucky (and consistent) racer is going to take home a whopping $10,000 cash prize for less than two minutes racing. Yes, that’s right, Lakeside have made the March 11 date the richest ever drag race in the history of the sport.
The DYO section is limited to 128 pre-entered competitors with any car who run quicker than 14.99, can cut a clean light and who can run right on their dial-in. The most consistent racer on the day will walk away the whole $10,000 for their eight rounds of trouble.
Entry for the event is by pre entry via our website. You are not guaranteed entry if you do not pre-enter.
For the latest news and information, keep visiting us at www.lid.co.nz, or add your name to our e-mail newsletter list. Tickets are $25 for Adults and $10 for 12 years and under. Lakeside International Dragway is situated on the corner of Centennial Drive and Broadlands Rd just outside Taupo.
Sean Mifsud:
Sydney’s Sean Mifsud is bringing his 526 Alan Johnson powered ’41 Willys over for the tour. The car has run a best of 6.47/212.76 (342.40kph) at Western Sydney International Dragway.
Peter Lovering:
Peter Lovering campaigns the world’s fastest ’55 Chev having run 6.31/233 (374.97kph) at the recent East Coast Nationals in Sydney. His 526 cube Newberry TFX’s big top end charge eclipsed the former best by nearly 10mph.
Brett Gillespie:
Expatriate Kiwi, Brett Gillespie owns the record for running Australia’s quickest and fastest hot rod. His father was a former Waikaraka Park stockcar champion during the early ‘70s but nowadays Brett chases deep six-second performances from his 511 cubic inch KB Oldsmobile powered ’34 Chev Coupe. 6.49/220 is his best yet.
Alf Sciacca:
Probably not quite what the manufacturer had in mind when they built their Lamborghini, but Alf Sciacca’s rendition on the theme is pretty impressive. The 500 cubic inch Sainty three valve engine has powered him to a best of 6.80/206.61. He should be a great matchup for Mike Witteveen’s local Ferrari doorslammer.
- An advertorial that has been in a number of magazines regarding this event can be viewed at http://www.lid.co.nz/content/march11_advertorial.pdf (PDF Format, Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
- The full size poster of the smaller one displayed on the Home page is available at http://www.lid.co.nz/content/march11poster.jpg
It seems everyone wants to be involved in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest New Zealand drag racing events in history. March 11th will certainly have something for everyone.
To top off the day’s proceedings on March 11, we also have an Import Invitational race happening. We've received word that a number of Pro Import and Sport Mod cars may be attending. At present we have Andre Simon, Rod Harvey, Tony Markovina, Nyle Buckley, Stu Lawton and a whole heap of others being confirmed as you read this, including Dean Hargreaves, Simon Dudding, Brent Curran, Warren Overton, and more.