Despite the huge amount of motorsport events to choose from at this time of the year, choosing to go to the Tokoroa Street Rodders’ Shady Showdown — held on February 28 at Amisfield Dragstrip in Tokoroa — was a no-brainier. The event was a no-pressure day for the racers who were able to have some genuine fun, and provide a great spectacle for those who came from near and far to check out the action.
The day started with a few practice runs, a burnout comp down the track, and then on to eliminations followed by a meal and entertainment provided by a live band for those who wanted to make a weekend of it.
The flag-drop runs started, which involved two racers deciding for themselves who won their race at the other end of the quarter-mile. If you couldn’t agree, no problem, simply race again.
It was great to see Mike Carlton’s nine-second street-legal Corvette out there having some fun. Word has it he’s got his sights set on running an eight-second quarter-mile pass. Although this event was not the day for serious racing like that.