DRAGGED UP

Coming off the back of an ultra-successful season in Junior Dragster, in which he won the IHRA National Series, the Meremere Dragway Comp Meet series, and the IHRA Nationals, there are big changes ahead for Trevor Smith Junior. There’s long been a rumour that a ’55 Chev top doorslammer is being prepared for him to step into, and we can now confirm those rumours. The vehicle, which was at one stage the quickest top doorslammer in the country, was purchased by the Smith family a few years back minus motor. More recently, the family purchased the five-second dragster of Shane Lodge for its running gear. Australian racing legends Victor and Ben Bray have been supporting the Smiths’ efforts, with Ben, who also made the jump straight from Junior Dragster to Top Doorslammer, taking Trev Junior under his wing and helping out with car set-up. While still young enough to campaign the junior, Trevor’s now just too tall, at six foot two inches, so, as soon as he gets his licence, he’ll make the move into the slammer, with the intention of lining up against the record-holding Statesman of his father, Trevor Senior. With Senior having found a few faults within the car, despite clocking the national record, we’d say Junior’s got his work cut out for him if he wants to take the family bragging rights. However, with a PSI blown 464ci Hemi in a smaller, lighter car, there’s plenty of potential going forward. Watch this space, as some epic racing is set to take place.