Newcomer Martez Hackett (147) upset the better known drivers and set a new record for the Barbados Association of Dragsters and Drifters (BADD) Twisted Drag Warz #6 at Bushy Park last Saturday.
Driving a well-prepared Subaru Impreza, he set the new record of 7.16 seconds, bettering the old mark of 7.38 seconds set earlier this year by Steve Bruce in the Belleville Auto Spares Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III.
But after setting the new record, Hackett lost his chance of winning the coveted title in the 7.5 to 8-seconds category when he false-started in his run-off with Jason Kirton in the Amalie Motor Oils Subaru Impreza.
Kirton, who had looked good all day, had a time of 7.87 seconds and kept his nerve when it mattered most as the drivers lined up for the run, came up with the victory.
But while most eyes were fixed on the Seven Seconds category, Sherlock Payne eclipsed the Eight to 8.5 Seconds category when he posted a best time of 8.41 seconds and with it the title, while Dwight Alleyne in a REDjet Subaru Impreza drove away with the honours in the 8.5 to Nine Seconds Class with a personal best time of 8.57 seconds.
Among the drivers feeling the might of the Subaru Impreza was Michael “Chubs” Carter in a modified Toyota Corolla who returned a time of 8.938 seconds during their second meeting.
Dwayne Bentham won the Nine to Ten Seconds category and had a personal best time of 9.49 seconds, while Michael Austin at the wheel of an Illusion Graphics/REDjet Suzuki Swift made it two in a row when he retained the 11 to 12 Seconds category in a match-up with lone female competitor Jackie Linton in a Corolla.
Austin’s best time of the day was 10.24 seconds.
During the meet, fans witnessed two test runs as Kirton debuted his Subaru WRX-powered Rail Car, recording times of 8.4 and 8.1 seconds.
The 2012 season will begin on January 28 at Bushy Park.
