he NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger was driven by American land and water speed record-holder Russ Wicks to set a world land speed record for the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) class of 397kph in 2007 at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
After the car’s appearance as one of the main showpieces at Speedshow ’09, it will be used by Vincent in an attempt to break the current New Zealand land speed record of 348.24kph held by Aucklander Owen Evans.
Vincent, from Karaka south of Auckland, says the car is currently in a local workshop where the underside is being cleaned of salt from its Bonneville runs.
“It’s amazing just how much salt is in the undercar components,” says Vincent. “We have had to remove all of the front and rear suspension, brakes, etc. and Alan Kemp, who’s preparing the car for me, is spending hours spraying the under-body with salt killer, wiping it off, and then watching the salt come back again. Amazing, but we will get it right!
“In the meantime, we’ve confirmed that Eastern Automotive Performance Centre, run by well-known racing driver Paul Manuell, will supply a supercharged big block Chevrolet 900HP engine for our land speed record attempt, which is simply called the ‘New Zealand Land Speed Challenge’.”
Vincent says he’s currently talking to sponsors and searching for a suitable road on which to conduct the land speed record attempt.
“This will probably be in the South Island, but we haven’t confirmed the exact details yet. The primary focus is to ensure the car is in perfect condition for Speedshow ’09 where we’ll be onsite with the car to talk to fans about this unique NASCAR, one of the first to be on show to the public in New Zealand.”
Speedshow ’09 takes place at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 September with tickets available from Ticketek. For more info see www.speedshow.co.nz.
