Ready, Dezzi, Go! KZN gets drags at last

PORT SHEPSTONE, kwaZulu-Natal - The Dezzi Raceway at Port Shepstone will host its first drag-racing event on Saturday (June 27), organised by KZN Drag Racing.

The track, sanctioned by Motorsport SA, has a quarter-mile strip to welcome more than 85 competitors from KZN as well as 15 National record-breaking vehicles.

Dezzi Raceway has the only permanent drag-racing facility in KZN.

LEGENDARY DRAGSTER

Drag legend Mano Khan will open the event with the first race on the widened strip. He's credited with racing the first street-legal car to a 10-second quarter - more than ten years earlier and a feat drivers today, with all their modern technology, battle to match.

Event organiser Michelle Lewis told Wheels24: “Mano is working on fixing up the now 30-year-old Ford Escort which he raced all those years ago. We can’t wait to see history repeat itself and have Mano on track again.”

KZN Motorsport representative Darren Lewis explained: “Drivers have been desperate for a safe, family-orientated, venue at sea level. Many are looking forward to testing their vehicle's capability while their families watch."

The one-day event will be run under MSA Street Drag Racing rules in the ‘Heads-up Racing’ format. The event will also showcase a collection of sub-10sec vehicles, among them Czank Racing rail cars and Quentin Boylans record-breaking Honda.

Track owner Des Gutzeit said: “Many of these exhibition cars have never been seen in KZN. It will be a real spectacle for the crowd and we're expecting the biggest turnout yet at the raceway."

Motorsport SA chairman of drifting, drags and spinning, Wally Pappas, added: “Illegal drag-racing has been a challenge for the community for years. We welcome regular events such  this that help to grow the sport by giving drivers professional facilities and well-run events to enjoy and to use to improve their racing."

Here are the details:

Event: June 27 2015 from 7.30am to 5pm.

Tickets at the entrance: Adults R80, under-12's free. Grandstands R150.

Further details from KZN Drag Racing or on Facebook at KZN Drag Racing.