FUN WHILE IT LASTED

The Marsh Motorsport/Mount Shop Top Fuel Dragster will forever be etched in the history books of New Zealand drag racing, having run not just the first four-second pass in New Zealand, but also being the first to crack the 300mph barrier, currently holding the title of the quickest and fastest car ever in New Zealand with a PB of 4.78 seconds at 315.12mph. Nothing can last forever, though, and a deal has been done that’s seen all the mechanicals and spares from the car sold to an Australian team, and the rolling chassis is now on the market.

While the sale may come as a surprise to some, the Marsh family, along with friends and sponsors, have achieved everything they set out to do and a whole lot more, and with the car essentially making too much power for the local tracks to hold, they were left with a decision to make. Either continue as is, pushing for lower ETs and burning up parts in the process, or campaign the car abroad — the latter of which was simply not financially viable, even with the generous assistance of Mount Shop.

Australian team Premiere Racing, who were ironically meant to bring their own top fuel dragster to New Zealand to compete in 2017, have purchased the team’s three complete engines and enough spares to fill the base of a 20-foot shipping container.

While it’s a loss to the New Zealand drag racing scene, the team will be back on track again with their naturally aspirated A-Fueller — a car that’s equally as impressive in its own right, running a PB to date of 5.37 seconds at 272.45mph. Having broken a gudgeon pin, destroying a new block, the last time the car was raced, a full new engine combo has been built for the coming season, which team principal Tony Marsh assures us will not disappoint.

This new engine combo is similar to that run in the car prior to 2017, the engine used in-between proving to be a bit of a handful. Obviously, the team would like to extend a huge thanks to their sponsors and supporters for their assistance for the time the car was campaigned. And, on behalf of New Zealand drag racing fans, we’d love to extend a heartfelt thanks to the team for giving us all memories we’ll never forget!