NOSTALGIA DRAGS - THIS WEEKEND!
CHECK THIS OUT!
The prize money for Hot Rod class winner has been increrased to $1000!
The prize money for the Nostalgia class winner has been increased to $1000!
So - get your jallopy, hot rod or old-school car or race-car out and have a go, or come along to the track, and see some of the coolest race cars on the plannet!
Pre entries have now closed – however entries for all classes will be accepted on Saturday 12th April, Gates open from 7.00am, entries close at 9.00am
This meeting is also a full Masterton Motorplex Competition meeting, so will be open to all race classes!
See you at the track!
TRUST HOUSE CENTRAL NATIONALS
Results available NOW!
The first running of the annual Trust House Central Nationals at the new track saw a lot of close racing, plenty of personal bests, and there were three National records re-set as well! The weather held out for the most part, and the crowds enjoyed some excellent racing, thrills, and spills. We were also thrilled to see not one, but TWO 5 second passes on the new surface - congratulations John Neilan (5.913 @220.47mph) and Shane Lodge (5.937 @ 215.8mph)both running Top Alcohol Dragsters
- we're sure there's more to come!
If you came along to join us at the Central Nationals, thanks - we hope you had a great time. If you still haven't made it along to a meeting at the new track, there's one more event coming up soon, that promises to be a stand-back-jack COOL WEEKEND! See you at the track!
GRAND OPENING MEETING RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE!
For the latest Masterton Motorplex Newsletter, click HERE.
LATEST NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE!
For the latest Masterton Motorplex Newsletter, click HERE.
NEW FACEBOOK PAGE TO KEEP YOU INFORMED
We now have a brand new Facebook page which will provide all future updates relating to the new Masterton Drag Strip!
Please click below to be transported magically to our Facebook page!
GRAND OPENING MEETING A HUGE SUCCESS!
The new track Grand Opening took place on the 15th & 16th February 2014, and went off without a hitch! The new venue proved to be a hit with racers and spectators alike, with glowing reviews from all corners. There's plentry more to come, with this being only the first of three stages in total, so watch out for more good things to come! Please enjoy this selection of photographs from the opening meeting from track Photographer Justin Hansen.
PRE-STAGE NOW COMPLETE!
The Pre-stage area is now completed, ahead of the test-and-tune meeting!
The pre-stage was finished yesterday. It's 4 lanes, 20 metres wide by 70 meters long!
DRAG STRIP ALMOST COMPLETED, READY FOR TEST & TUNE!
The Masterton Motorplex crew are pleased to announce that the main track seal and concreting is now complete, with 165mtrs of concrete in the start-line/launch area!
The track is 20 metres wide, and 900 metres long. Following the finish-line, the track transitions to a 1% up-hill gradient, to help slow vehicles.
The pits have now all been leveled, rolled and grassed, as has the spectator area.
There's still plenty left to do before the Test & Tune meeting; placing the blocks, laying the cables, and sealing the pre-stage area. This final work is on-target for the Test & Tune meeting
Pre-stage will consist of a sealed area of 20 metres by 70 metres, which will allow 4 lanes of pre-stage vehicles.
The 1.2km access road has now been started. This will be gravel initially, primarily to keep costs down.
We hope to see you all at the track soon - check out our event dates!
NEW DRAG STRIP CONSTRUCTION ON TARGET
Construction of the new Drag Strip is well underway, with the first section of concrete being poured, and preparation for further work progressing well. We'll have more details and pictures soon, so please stay tuned, and check out our event dates for early 2014 here!
Meeting Dates Released for NEW DRAG STRIP
We've released the dates for the upcoming season - please click here to visit the Race dates page.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
New Drag Strip - Stage One Funding Completed!
It is with great pride that the Masterton Motorplex Board announces that the level of funding required to complete the new drag strip to ‘Stage One’ has been reached.
CLICK TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE:
PDF version
JPG version
The expectation is that the earthmoving and roading contractors will commence with the final earthworks in the coming weeks, followed by the sealing of the drag strip, and final preparation in time for a tentative Grand Opening date of January 2014.
Stay tuned for a new website with progress reports and updates in the lead-up to this exciting event!
We can’t wait to see you all there!
Special thanks to the following organisations for their significant contributions:
- Trust House Community Enterprise
- Eastern & Central Community Trust
- Masterton District Council
- Trustlands Trust
- Oldfields – a division of Higgins Contractors Ltd
- South Wairarapa District Council
- All competitors, spectators, supporters, and race--day sponsors.
Updated July 10 2013 (7:30pm).
NEED FOR SPEED AUTO SHOW A HUGE SUCCESS!
 On behalf of the Friends of the Drag strip Team (and their is no I, in team) we want to THANK YOU all from the bottom of our tired, adrenalin rushed hearts for your attendance, help and support for the show on sunday.
To those that made the special effort to come from wellington (even after you had traveled from Auckland just to pick up the car and come back), those that got their warm weather gears on and traveled in an open-topped roadster in the rain, hail and snow, and those that just wanted to be part and parcel of a massive show, we thank you again... to the crews that helped behind the scenes, the security staff stayed up all night, HELL yea we will do it again !!
Click here for images from the show.
A HUGE thanks to these sponsor for the donated goods for our prizes:
KRUZIN KUSTOMS
KOOP DE GLASS
A PARTS
HOT ROD HEAVEN
SASSYS COFFEE
XILE SPEED AND CUSTOM
SIMPLE SIMON SIGNWRITING
NOTHING BEYOND
KIMMYS COFFEE DANNEVIRKE
MAG & TYRE PETONE
TRISH'S SWEETS
LEATHER AND ART
SMASH PALACE
AUTO APOLSTERY
MARTY JONES
JIMMY KEYS
JEFF MORROW
R & S McDONALD TRANSPORT
SIGN OF THE TIMES
SUPER STREET AUTO ELECTRICAL BULLS
DION WHITTAKER - TROPHYS
ADVANCED SHEET METALS - TROPHYS
JONO AIR BRUSHING
RIKI LEE DRIFTING
Winners of the Xmas tree trophy's:
Sponsor Choice: Warren Montgomery
Best Drag car: Dean Cadman
Best HotRod: Jimmy Keys Sin Bin
Best Muscle: Gordon Rogers XA Coupe
Best Import: Elliott the Kid
Best Drift: Ricky Lee
Best Display: The Joker
Best Nostalgia: Heat Seeker
Updated June 19 2013 (11:24pm).
TRUST HOUSE CENTRAL NATIONALS!
The biggest event on the Masterton Motorplex calendar is unquestionably the Trust House Central Nationals, and this years event didn't disappoint! With over 130 vehicles lining up to race, and the weather being kind, the weekend was a huge success. Well done and thank you to the MMP Crew, all of the racers, spectators and supporters. Click here for results.
Links to photographs from the weekend:
Barracuda Photography
BT Winters Photography
Vortex Photography
Updated March 11 2013 (11:59pm).
Masterton Motorplex FUNDRAISER MEETING #2
Another successful Fundraiser Meeting was held on the 9th & 10th of February, with a great crowd filling the grandstands on Saturday. Sunday drew a smaller crowd, however overall it was a great weekend which has raised another significant chunk of the money required to complete stage 1 of the new drag strip. Thank you to all racers and supporters - the new track is now one step closer!
Click here for results
Updated February 18 2013 (11:50pm).
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Following the successful burnout competition held last Saturday night, we have been made aware of illegal burnouts taking place in or around Masterton.
This is very disappointing for all of the MMP team, who would like to make it clear that these selfish hoons were in no way part of the organised event.
We hold these events not only to raise money for our new drag strip, but also to provide a venue where guys who want to let loose and burn some rubber can do so in a controlled and safe environment. Sadly the small number of selfish 'boy racers' and their irresponsible actions are becoming more and more likely to prevent us being able to hold these event again in the future.
This sort of behaviour also puts in jeopardy any advertising and sponsorship deals that maybe in the pipeline for the new drag strip.
To the entrants and spectators who turned up and had a great time, thank you all very much for your support.
Updated January 14 2013 (10:16pm)
MMP Supporters Club Rules
The Masterton Motorplex committee have developed a clear set of rules, following recent challenges.
If any Supporter Club member is not happy with these rules or if you no longer wish to be a part of the club, please contact the MMP Secretary for a full refund of your membership fee.
For those 30 people who joined before the AGM to show their support to MMP, the committee thanks you.
We now have a supporters club with a total of 50 members. For those who wish to join, click here for more information.
SUPPORTERS CLUB RULES
OBJECTIVE:
- To provide a group where people can show their support for MMP
- To get first hand information before the general public
- To volunteer to assist MMP to help run meetings and manage the facilities during the off season
- To make constructive suggestions to the Board/Committee, as and when requested.
Our supporters are incredibly important to us, which is a recognition of the contribution that they make, to MMP and Drag Racing generally.
RULES:
- The Supporters Club runs at a level below the constitution, and members of the Supporters Club are not members of the MMP Board/Committee, and cannot vote at any MMP meetings. The rules of operation of the Supporters Club are made by the Board / Committee, and may be updated from time to time
- Applications to be in writing to the secretary.
- Intending members need to pay the annual subscription with their application
- Term of membership shall be from the AGM to the end of the following AGM
- Members must pay their annual subscription each year within 4 weeks of the end of the AGM to remain a member for the year.
- Members can meet with the Board/Committee by writing to the secretary to voice their opinions and suggestions.
- Supporters are bound by the rules and by the regulations, by laws, policies, and procedures of MMP.
Regards
Masterton Motorplex Committee
Updated September 4 2012 (8:05pm)
Trust House grant approved - $200,000 towards the new strip, and more!
This week, the Masterton Motorplex team has had some great news!
Trust House, a Wairarapa based licensing trust, has awarded Masterton Motorplex a whopping $200,000 towards the construction of the already underway new drag strip. This is fantastic news for the MMP team, and also for a large number of keen racers, all eager to have the new venue up and running as soon as possible.
In another huge show of support for this exciting new venue, local earthworks company Oldfields Higgins has agreed to reduce the cost of the 'stage 1' build of the track by a whopping $100,000.
Masterton Motorplex would like to thank both Trust House, and Oldfields Higgins for their continued and generous support of the new Masterton Motorplex Drag Strip.
Posted July 12 2012 (8:50 pm)
MORE PROGRESS AS STRIP TAKES SHAPE
More photos have been released showing the progress of the earthworks for the new drag strip. The machines are currently digging down to the desired level, and crushing what they take out ready to put back in in January.
At that stage it will look like a drag strip, just without the tar-seal!
Don't forget - if you want to help with the construction of the new drag strip you can - and there are several options available depending on your budget;
- Join the MMP Supporters Club - click here for details
- Make a donation to the construction fund - click here for details
- Get your next WOF check at your local VTNZ - click here for details
- Lease your own sealed pit space - click here for details
- Attend one of the exiting event coming up - keep an eye on this page!
- Buy one of our 2010 Nationals T-shirts - click here for an order form
- And also - if you or someone you know can see the value in their business being associated with this countries newest and highest quality drag racing venue, and you are interested in being a corporate or naming rights sponsor, or if you have any other proposal, please contact Bob Wilton directly.
Progress photos
Above: Looking towards the start line - click for larger image.
Above: The return road begins to take shape - click for larger image.
Above: Approximately mid-way along the new track - click for larger image.
Above: Another view from mid track - click for larger image.
Above: This shows the extent of some of the cut and fill - click for larger image.
Above: Looking down the length of the track - click for larger image.
Above: A panorama of the track from the start-line - click for larger image.
Posted January 8, 2012.
EARTHWORKS BEGINS FOR NEW DRAG STRIP
MEDIA RELEASE FOR MOTORPLEX FACILITY
After many months of planning and fundraising, the earthworks for the new Masterton based drag racing facility has begun. "We feel this is the biggest thing that has happened for drag racing in many years - this is the first time a purpose built drag strip has been built in NZ for 35 years, the last one being Thunder Park Hawkes Bay" said MMP's head Bob Wilton.
Masterton Motorplex International Drag Racing track was started on Thursday by Oldfields, one of the main contractors involved in the construction.
The project has been split into three stages; stage one is the race track itself, while stage two will include a sealed pit area, with stage 3 adding all other necessary amenities.
The total land area is 33 hectares, which will be leased by Masterton Motorplex from the Masterton District Council.
It is expected that stage one will be completed by April 2012 dependant upon funding, which will allow racing to commence on the new track.
Photos: Above: The proud MMP committee with one of the Oldfields earthmoving machines at the location of the new drag strip. Below: The MMP committee and helpers at the first working bee held at the new location.
Posted September 18, 2011.
VTNZ SUPPORTS NEW FACILITY WITH WOF DONATION
Pictured above is Scott Miller from VTNZ Masterton
VTNZ (Vehicle Testing NZ Ltd) has kindly offered a donation of $5 to Masterton Motorplex for every warrant which is paid for by cash into a special 'cash account', available at every VTNZ branch through out New Zealand.
VTNZ are the leaders in independent vehicle inspections for your motoring peace of mind. With 84 stations, see VTNZ first, for a friendly & expert safety inspection service.
How does it work? Next time you need a WoF, just head into your nearest VTNZ station, and ask for the 'Masterton Motorplex cash account'. For each WoF paid for into this account, VTNZ will automatically make a $5 donation to the MMP. Easy!
To call your nearest VTNZ station, just phone 0800 88 88 69, or click here to go to the VTNZ website's 'nearest station finder'.
A big thanks to VTNZ and Scott Miller for their support.
Posted September 18, 2011.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 MEDIA RELEASE
MEDIA RELEASE FOR MOTORPLEX FACILITY
An international standard drag strip took another step closer said Deputy Mayor, Cr Jane Terpstra when Masterton District Council agreed to allow the access road to the strip at the back of Hood Airport to be established on their land east of the aerodrome off Manaia Road.
This road is shorter and cheaper to construct than the alternate route on South Road and is better for security and entry to the drag strip and the aerodrome.
Associated parking and pit lane entry will be from this route.
The new road will provide access to the drag strip adjacent to land that is available for potential future aerodrome development. Planting and a physical bund along the new road formation will minimise any traffic noise and any dust creation.
The project has attracted significant funding and in-kind support which will allow the earthworks to proceed in September. The in-kind support has come from major contractors Oldfields Wairarapa, who are project managers, and from Hopper Construction Ltd who are presently involved with the Waste Water Treatment project at Homebush for Masterton District Council.
Funding applications to regional and national organisations have been lodged for consideration in the October-November period.
Masterton Motorplex Chairman Bob Wilton, who has been driving the project, is confident of attracting the funds needed to complete the work which will provide the only international grade drag strip in New Zealand. “When we used the runway we were restricted to about three events a year but with our own strip we can hold more events. This makes it more attractive to sponsors and those who attend the event.”
Deputy Mayor Jane Terpstra said the Motorplex events attract big numbers to Masterton and it will be a great facility to boost the economy and promote Masterton as an events destination.
For further information contact David Hopman ph (06) 370 6300 Bob Wilton - ph (06)377 3803
Released: August 26, 2011. Posted: September 5 2011
Masterton Motorplex Supporters Club
Masterton Motorplex Supporters Club yearly membership subscriptions are available at an annual cost of $40. This is a great way to stay informed with the latest updates, and is a great way to support the new track!
If you would like to join the Supporters Club, please download and return the application form.
Click here to view the Supporters Club Rules.
Member updates will be sent via email only, so if you want to receive the updates, you must have an email address.
Payment can be made by by cheque or direct debit (details in file above).
For more information please contact Bob Wilton on 06 377 3803
Posted August 17 2011 (10:00 pm)
REMINDER - SEALED PIT SPACES AVALABLE NOW!
A reminder to all racers - pit spaces are still available to lease at Masterton Motorplex’s new track, to help raise funds for tar-sealing the new pit area.
DON'T MISS OUT - YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOOSE!
- Each pit space leased will be sealed, and have it's own power supply.
- The size of the pit space will be 12 metres by 8 metres which provides space for:
- A race car
- A tow car
- A transporter
Cost: ONLY $5000 for 5 years. PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE!
- Includes 2 free season passes.
- Right of renewal for a further 5 years.
Click here for information on purchasing pit spaces
Click here to download a Pit Lease Agreement Form
Posted: August 17 2011 (10:05 pm)
UPDATE - PROPOSED NEW DRAG STRIP
The paperwork side of things is coming along well, and we have given our first presentation to the council, which had a very positive outcome with unanimous support for the project.
The next step is funding. We have an appointment with Council on the 2nd of June to do another presentation to see if they are prepared to fund some of our project. We will know their decision in early July. After we know whether we have funding from the Council then we will start approaching other possible funders.
We have had several quotes from different organisations, and so far have come in under our $3 million dollar budget. MMP is also trying to do its own fundraising with the sale of Pit spaces for racers and sponsors. There will also be opportunities for naming sponsors, lane sponsors and some more block sponsorship options.
We look forward to your support in the future and watch this space!!
For more information please contact Bob Wilton on 06 377 3803 or Tracey Cooper on 06 370 1291
Click here for sponsorship details
Click here for information on purchasing pit spaces - NEW - Information updated 13 June 2010
**Note: A Masterton Motorplex Incorporated trust account has been set up which all money for the new track will be deposited into. If for any reason the track does not go ahead then all money paid by leasee’s or sponsors will be refunded.
Posted June 4 2010 - From Bob Wilton, Track Coordinator.
Masterton Motorplex Track Records (New Track):
Your name could be HERE!
Masterton Motorplex Track Records (Hood Aerodrome):
Best Elapsed Time (Piston Engine)
6.18 seconds Mark Vincent AA/D Feb. 2008
Best MPH (piston engine)
228.35mph (367.49 km/h) John Neilan AA/D Feb. 2008
Best 60 ft (overall) 0.942 seconds Mark Vincent AA/D Feb. 2008
Best Elapsed Time (Overall - Jet Car) 5.90 seconds Richard Smith (USA) March 2005
Best MPH (Overall - Jet Car) 267 mph (429.69 km/h) Richard Smith (USA) March 2005
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