Burning up Port Road

BY PRIYANKA BHONSULE - HUTT NEWS

Shame there wasn't much sun on Saturday at the Port Rd Drags or the crowd of onlookers would have seen a 1965 Chevy Impala 'bursting into flames'.

Michael Kenning from Pauatahanui was there with his Chevy, which has been painted with flames in 14 different shades. He says when the sun hits it, it looks like it's on fire.

"I like taking the big Chevy to these races because people don't think a big car can go that fast so it's a bit of surprise for them."

Despite the track being only 200m, he reckons he hit up to 80 miles per hour (129kmh) at the drags.

The Lower Hutt electrician has been coming to the Port Rd Drags for the last 20 years, mostly entering with his Chevy and Roadster.

He says the Chevy has become the car that everyone wants over the last three years, as it's affordable to buy and do up.

Kenning has owned his Impala for over 20 years, modifying it bit by bit.

In 2003 came the paint job with a few mates helping out, and some new wheels.

"I haven't really spent a lot on the car because I've had it for such a long time. I've changed it so I can take my kids around."

Port Road club secretary Marty Burnside says given the extremely windy conditions, the turnout was good.

"We've had 44 years of this event without any rain so we're very lucky."

Police put in a significant presence for the first time, setting up a caravan and dedicating 11 squad members to the event, which Mr Burnside says was brilliant.

"There were no issues or fights breaking out ... we want to promote ourselves a sport, not a bunch of idiots."

He says there were some unusual cars on show that they hadn't seen before, like old Holden utes and the 1966 Shady Lanes Railcar.

Organiser Tom Elliott says there was a good selection of cars burning rubber and most people who attended were impressed by the noise, racing and standard of tuning.

Fastest on the day was Wanganui's Ben Morris in a 1968 Camaro, who burned down the eighth mile course in 6.72 seconds.