DEMANDING conditions are causing Drag Challenge competitors havoc.
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Portland’s South Coast Raceway is hoping predicted wet weather won’t eventuate when drivers who battled searing heat in Adelaide, Mildura and Swan Hill arrive on Thursday for the fourth leg of the five-day event.
Vice president Greg ‘Dutchy’ Holland said 150 cars started the competition but conditions had taken their toll with many bowing out after the opening round.
He said the track temperature in Adelaide – the venue which will host the final round of the 4000km event on Friday – was 63 degrees on Monday.
Drivers then had to drive to Mildura almost 400 kilometres away.
“By the time they got to Mildura, cars had dropped off big time to 120 or something,” Holland said.
“It is a gruelling effort – that’s why it’s called the Drag Challenge.”
Rain is forecast for Portland’s round.
Holland is confident it won’t impact racing.
“We have a jet-powered track dryer so it’s fuelled up and ready to go in the morning,” he said.