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A VERY FULL RACING SEASON AT MMP

Just like that the Masterton Motorplex season is back. The 2021/2022 season will again showcase the continuation of the Joint National Series. This series includes all classes of drag racing, fighting it out over the season at various venues for the top spot on the NZ Drag Racing podium. Masterton Motorplex will be hosting two rounds of the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC), firstly in December 2021 and then the Grand Finals in March 2022. The season starts on the 6th and 7th of November 2021 with Test & Tune plus the Outlaw 71 class. Following that, MMP hosts the first round of the NDRC in December. The Wild Bunch Wars will again return to entertain and light up Masterton Motorplex January 2nd and 3rd as part of the annual Dragstalgia event. From wild smoky burnouts to insane edge of your seat passes, the Wild Bunch is just that, so mark the two day event on your calendar. On 12th & 13 February, Mayhem In Masterton will be one meeting not to miss - the first ever Wild Bunch vs Outlaw 71 challenge. The season will finish up on March 12th & 13th with the Grand Finals of the National Drag Racing Championship. This is MMP’s eighth season at its purpose built track in Masterton, with work on developing the facilities a work in progress. As more and more trees are planted, the venue is taking on a park-like character which is making it more visually attractive but also providing shade for spectators. The next big goal is to replace portaloos with a proper toilet block for the racing crews. A spanner was thrown in the works when the New Zealand Fire Service was no longer able to attend meetings. This responsibility has now been passed on to the crash crew who have benefited from training provided by the fire service, says MMP Chair Bob Wilton.

“In saying this, the fire brigade over the last seven years at the new facility have been very much appreciated. The drag racing community is in a positive mood, Bob says. “Covid has not stopped racers from being enthusiastic with more and more cars being built or brought into the country from Australia and America. There is definitely not going to be a downturn in cars and teams.”

The 2021/2022 season at MMP will have a very full racing agenda, Bob says. All of these events are going to give spectators a greater variety of cars to watch, Bob says. This is a sport where we have to have the spectators. So we want to put a show on for them! “As always, this is a perfect time to extend our thanks to all our current and previous Board members,” says Bob. “These guys and gals are the ones that made it all happen. Without them there would be no MMP. They are a humble group of people that have made MMP what it is today. “Also to all our volunteers, past and present - MMP could not run these events without you. “And also thanks to our sponsors and supporters - without these businesses and individuals again there would be no MMP. “Drivers and crew – we thank you for coming to our meetings and supporting our track. “So thanks again to everyone – see you out there!”

Colin Johnson versus Dean Piper. Photo/Graham Meiklejohn