A new standard has been set for drag racing on the Sunshine Coast.
Eric Krume from Castle-rock, Wash. set the new record at Sunday's Tremors on the Tarmac event sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA).
Krume blazed down the track at 152 miles per hour in his alcohol-fuelled dragster. Krume bested the old record set by friend Jim Dillinger, who also raced on Sunday.
"The first time I raced a car it was on this track four years ago," said Krume. "Jim and I work on both cars together, go to shows together and race together. We try to put on a good show for the people. We love coming here to race. All the people are friendly and we have a great time. Today was just my day."
The new track record was just one of the highlights of the day that organizers called "the most successful drag racing event ever."
"We had better cars, faster cars and more people. It's the best day of drag racing we've ever had," said Jac Cawsey, media liaison for the SCDRA. "To see Eric set the new record is fantastic. These guys are professional drivers -they just love coming up here and racing on our track."
Cawsey also had a chance to get in on the fun.
The "official voice" of drag racing on the Coast usually spends most of his time in the announcers' booth on race day, but this year he competed.
"It was the first time I raced in 25 years," he said. "It was a great thrill."
Sunday's event was the icing on the cake of a highly successful weekend.
Friday night started with the Sleepy Hollow Rod Run, sponsored by the Coasters Car Club.
"We had 350 cars that left Hackett Park, and when you add in the ones that joined in who were parked outside the park, we had close to 400 cars involved," said Coaster's president Steve Holland. "It was beyond our wildest hopes. The venue was much better. It allowed for a better flow of cars and a better event. The District of Sechelt was really good with us and certainly helped to make it happen."
One aspect of the event that the club will address is burn-outs on the street.
"Burn-outs are not sanctioned by our club," Holland said. "We know there were some issues and those have to be addressed. I assure you that there will be a better police presence next year and penalties will be handed down."
On Saturday, the Coasters sponsored the annual Show 'n' Shine. A total of 407 cars lined Cowrie Street. Holland estimates more than 8,000 took in the show.
"It was a great weekend all around," Holland said.
