Monster machines take to the track

Monty Whitting

Komatipoort racetrack erupted into a high-revving, ear-piercing, monster-machine frenzy on Sunday during the flaming hot Battle of the Nations drag-racing event.

About 2 000 enthusiastic fans from South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland witnessed an impressive collection of 79 vehicles explode in a turn down the track for a quarter mile at top speed.

Those who hung around the starting point were undoubtedly high on adrenalin, since the sights and sounds over there usually had plenty of exclamation marks behind them!

A few hundred metres down the track and the smell of burning tyre was replaced by the allure of braaivleis.

Statistics appear on the scoreboard as soon as the vehicles shoot off into the distance.

Here one not only had the pleasure to see the various class’ cars, motorcycles and quad bikes in full flow, but one’s neck muscles also got a good workout during the day. Back to the starting point – the action is about to commence…

The jazzed-up red BMW from Mozambique skids into position. It’s up against a dazzling purple Nissan Skyline from South Africa.

A moment of anticipation is followed by mind-bending acceleration. And then? Well, it happens again…and again.

Guido Rautenbach in his Seat Cupra.

But when looking at the turnout, it doesn’t happen often enough.
Organisers Michael Ludik and Azgar Raiden, also known as the “King” from Komatipoort Drags, are obviously ecstatic that the Battle of the Nations drag-racing is so popular, especially when considering that it has only been around for two years.

Zein Hussain

The next one will be held on October 3. Anybody can enter the race (for a measly R50) as long as they have a vehicle and protective clothing.

Results – Best times in each class and top speed in brackets

4AF – Junaid, Honda, 15,239 seconds (144,7 km/h)
4BF – Satish, Opel, 12,314 seconds (205,4 km/h)
4BR – Scheepers, Nissan, 12,139 seconds (189,1 km/h)
4CR – Laas, Toyota, 12,378 seconds (189,1 km/h)
4CY – Naidoo, Mitsubishi, 10,201 seconds (223,8 km/h)
4WD – Tiago, Nissan, 11,538 seconds (190,9 km/h)
6A – Silva, BMW, 13,216 seconds (175,3 km/h)
6B – Conradie, Fiat, 11,932 seconds (193,0 km/h)
8A – F Craffert, Merc, 13,067 seconds (180,7 km/h)
8B – M Craffert, Chev, 12,379 seconds (187,9 km/h)
A – Venter, Yamaha, 14,490 seconds (136,9 km/h)
B – Nieuwenhuys, Honda, 10,357 seconds (225,3 km/h)
EX – Dhooma, Chev, 11,397 seconds (201,6 km/h)
S – Lourens, Ford, 10,004 seconds (222,8 km/h)
SB – Blumenthal, Suzuki, 10,251 seconds (230,5 km/h).