Speedshow ’09 scores world’s fastest NASCAR

Media release from The Expo Group Ltd

Re: Speedshow ‘09

6 May 2009

Speedshow ’09 scores world’s fastest NASCAR

The fastest NASCAR in the world is heading to New Zealand where it will star in the third annual Speedshow.

“We’re just delighted to have the opportunity to show such a unique and famous car to the many thousands of Kiwi NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) fans,” says Speedshow organiser Keith Sharp.

The NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger was driven by American multiple land and water speed record-holder Russ Wicks, who set a world land speed record for the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) class of 244.9 mph (397 km/h) in 2007. Wicks’ feat was accomplished on the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats and verified by the Guinness Book of Records.

Now, the Dodge NASCAR is on its way to New Zealand where new owner Ken Vincent will use the car in an attempt to break the current New Zealand land speed record of 216.39mph (348.24 km/h) held by Aucklander Owen Evans.

“But before the New Zealand land speed record attempt, the car will be on show exclusively at Speedshow ’09 in September,” says Vincent, who was a world champion and held his own world record in NHRA drag racing at just 17 years of age when living in the USA.

Sharp says: “When I heard about Ken bringing this car to New Zealand, I just knew we needed to have this world record-breaking NASCAR at Speedshow, so it’s fantastic that Ken has agreed to make the car available to Speedshow exclusively. The photos of the car running at Bonneville look amazing; it’s worth searching for Russ Wicks on YouTube.com to see more about this successful world record attempt.

“Now, with Ken announcing he’s going attempt to break the New Zealand land speed record attempt, we know the car is going to make an excellent draw-card for Speedshow ’09.”

A successful property investor, Vincent has enjoyed a long and varied competitive motorsport career in New Zealand after returning from the US with his family in the early 1970s.

“I've been fortunate to race all kinds of cars, including dragsters, rally cars, and various circuit racers, but sprint cars and speedway are probably my all-time favourite," says Vincent, who was the 1973 New Zealand sprint car champion.

“I have always liked the idea of trying to set a new land speed record for New Zealand; in fact, the idea dates back to the ‘70s. Then Ray Williams, who I know well, set the record in 1996 and I’ve kept thinking about it ever since. I decided that if I was going to do it, I’d like something like a NASCAR around me.

“We all watch NASCARs on TV running effortlessly at 210 mph and even though you don't expect to end up off the road, you know that these cars are seriously well-built when you watch the NASCAR guys walk away from massive crashes, as happened just the other week to Carl Edwards at Talladega.

“This car is a genuine NASCAR, built for racing at Daytona and Talladega, and modified by Russ Wicks and his American Challenge team to run the straight line course across the Bonneville Salt Flats,” explains Vincent.

“Russ first set this record in 2006 in a Ford Taurus NASCAR, achieving a speed of 222.6 mph which broke the 35-year-old original record set by NASCAR champion Bobby Isaac back in 1971 of 216.9mph. Russ then decided to paint this Dodge the orange used by Isaac and it carries Isaac’s number 71, which is pretty cool way to honour Isaac, a very successful NASCAR driver who died of a heart attack while racing.

“Russ is actually the only living driver to have set official speed records of over 200 mph on both land and water, so it’s something of a privilege to now own one of his record-breaking cars. And I have to add that Russ has been tremendously helpful regarding our purchase – he’s provided all the great imagery and signage used when the car went on tour in the US as the world’s fastest NASCAR, so we’re really looking forward to seeing all that when the car arrives in the next few weeks.”

Vincent has yet to confirm when he will attempt the New Zealand land speed record, the holder of which receives the Castrol trophy from MotorSport New Zealand.

The world’s fastest NASCAR is just one of several exceptional vehicles fans can see at Speedshow this year, says Sharp.

“We’re very close to confirming a number of other exciting exhibits that will appeal to a wide range of motorsport, car and motorcycle fans. This year, Speedshow is actually several ‘shows-within-a-show’; of course, we have the many great motorsport exhibits that remain as the heart of Speedshow. Added to this will be a motorcycle paradise dubbed ‘Speedshow on 2 Wheels’ and a range of relevant new and performance vehicles we’re calling ‘Speedshow on the Road’.”

Speedshow ’09 takes place at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 September. Visitors are invited to sign up for free informative newsletters about the show and its planned exhibits by clicking on the Speedshow news alerts link on the homepage of www.speedshow.co.nz.

ENDS/

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