Fire-throwing Jet Dragsters will lead an exciting field of racers for this weekend’s Night of Fire event at the Perth Motorplex.
Jet Dragster drivers Pieter De Wit (Iron Horse) and Ian Wood (Banshee) will provide plenty of blazing runs and ear-bursting burner pops this Saturday January 23 when they line up for the event alongside Doorslammers, Nitro Bikes and more.
“The Night of Fire event has been a real attraction over the years and the kids especially always seem to have a really great time – they are fascinated with the jet cars and afterburner pops and of course also the fireworks at the end of the night,” De Wit said.
“The Jet Cars are quite unique and turn a lot of heads. Aside from being so impressive on the track, the good thing about them too is that they are pretty low maintenance between runs which allows more time for spectators to interact with us in the pits.
“Iron Horse does well over 450 kilometres per hour and that is quite an exhilarating feeling! Even just being on the startline at 70 percent RPM doing burner pops for the crowd gets the heart rate and adrenalin up and pumping.
“This weekend we will be looking to put on a great show with both full-blazing runs down the track and plenty of ear-bursting burner pops, while hopefully running a ‘five second’ pass.”
De Wit’s role in motorsport is not limited to his Jet Dragster driving duties either.
“When we migrated to Australia from South Africa, I thought I was leaving competitive racing behind. I originally made contact with Gary Miocevich asking for direction to stay involved in the sport – which turned out to be a lot more than I could have hoped for as it led to me racing Jet Dragsters,” he said.
“In 2013 I had quite a bad accident, and after experiencing first-hand the work of Terry Dorrington, the Motorplex’s track chaplain of more than 20 years, I decided to not only be a competitor but also a volunteer in supporting and helping at other events.
“I undertook the chaplain’s course and now I am the Motorplex’s Assistant Chaplain. The role allows me to build relationships not only with fellow competitors but also with the track staff and volunteers, and I find it extremely rewarding.”
With decades of racing behind him and showing no signs of slowing down, De Wit has a number of people he would like to single out for their support.
“I do want to thank my family who still supports me in my racing endeavours,” he said.
“I would also like to thank Daniel Miocevich who allows me to race Iron Horse. And of course, all of the Perth Motorplex track staff, officials and my fellow competitors who make race day possible.”
The Perth Motorplex will host the Night of Fire event this Saturday, January 23. The event will feature the return of the Iron Horse and Banshee Jet Dragsters, the Summer Slam Series and Nitro Bike. Also battling it out on track for points in the WA Drag Racing Championship Series will be competitors in Top Comp, Super Comp, Comp Bike, Supercharged Outlaws, Top Sportsman, Outlaw Radial, Modified, Super Sedan, Modified Bike, Super Street and Junior Dragster, while a huge fireworks show will also delight the fans.
For event information, visit www.motorplex.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
