Corbett smashes NZ record on Australia Day

Champion Australian drag racer, Kelly Corbett celebrated Australia Day in style by blasting out the quickest run ever by a four cylinder vehicle at New Zealand's 2014 V Four and Rotary Nationals presented by NAC Insurance, held at Fram Autolite Dragway, near Auckland, yesterday.

Driving the Jett Racing Datsun ute, Corbett stormed to a 7.14 at a shut-off 178mph and set a new performance standard for the NZ Sport Compact class.

"The [Australia v NZ] rivalry is intense and we whipped it up and before the event, but the reception was great, the Kiwis loved our car and were just as excited about the run as we were," Corbett said.

"I had the Aussie flag flying after the pass and pumped it up. We kicked some butt on Australia Day, which was a proud moment for us."

The run, which smashed NZ's previous best by almost three-tenths (7.43), also equalled 29-year-old Corbett's personal best in the ute, but could have been considerably quicker.

"I shut off early and scrubbed 15mph off which is usually 4-500ths, so it could have been a 7.10 or even 7.0," she said.

Corbett ran back-to-back 7.34s on the following runs, each one a pedalling effort due to tyre shake, and was due to run in the semi-finals before rain brought an abrupt end to the event.

"Unfortunately rain came just before the semi-finals, which was disappointing, but we had a great time in New Zealand and it's been an incredible experience," Corbett said.

Corbett and the Jett Racing team were part of a four-car Australian contingent, which included Scott Porter, Dom Luppino and Chris Fakinos.

 

 

Images © NAC Insurance Motorsport and Kelly Corbett Facebook