Colin Smith
There were people everywhere having a great time,” said McMillin.
“It had the makings of something really big. There were still people trying to get in the gate when it had started raining.”
The Meremere meet was to have been round four of a six-round 2017-18 calendar for the funny car series, and its first venture outside Australia. McMillin is hopeful a return to New Zealand can be part of the 2018-19 series schedule.
“We’d absolutely love to come back,” McMillin said.
“Obviously, there’s plenty to do between now and then but I think it would be fair to say the New Zealand public want us back. If we can make it work, then we’ll bring them back.”
Before rain stopped play on February 3 there were several strong qualifying runs in the support classes.
Hamilton’s Nigel Dixon powered his BF Ford Falcon Top Doorslammer through the finish-line speed traps at 234.1mph — a hard-earned number that needed a couple of lifts and steering corrections — that ranks as his best run of this season at 6.319secs.
And Auckland’s Mark Bardsley made a strong 6.53secs/222mph first pass using a new supercharger setup on his 68 Camaro Top Doorslammer.
Upcoming drag race events this month include the Auckland Invasion meeting at Masterton Motorplex this weekend and round four of the Meremere Competition Series on February 25.
The nitro funny car meet wasn’t the only high-speed motorsport event washed out last weekend.
Land Speed New Zealand Inc. is now working to secure a replacement date to stage its inaugural speed trials event at Goudie’s Rd near Reporoa.
Rain throughout the weekend saw the event called off on Saturday before record attempts were made on the 5.6km closed road course.