The phenomenon that is Lights Out again demonstrated what can be achieved with some outside the box thinking with strong social media promotion – and a US street car superstar.
From the always ticking mind of Michael “Gup” Gilbert Lights Out piggy backs his other success story Powercruise, with the simple premise, it delivers what many fans and racers want.
The line up to enter Willowbank Raceway last Friday reached estimations of up to 6kms long in a day and age where drag racing is struggling with attendances, showing the sport can still draw outside of Top Fuel and the Winternationals if done right.
Sure the appearance of Jeff Lutz and his famed Drag Week winning “Evil Twin” ’57 along with a non racing appearance of Street Outlaws star “Doc” boosted the profile of the event.
But Lights Out is also returning to the sports roots – flat out, no time cards and the odd wager.
Another attraction is the call outs to racers that would normally not front each other, there were doorslammers throwing down against Factory Extreme weapons and everyone was having a hell of a time.
As mentioned Lights Out references the use of no time boards and all races are held over the eighth mile, on a pro tree – first to the line wins the bragging rights.
Those bragging rights have been heated online with street car King Lutz losing to Scott Porter’s 350Z and Ben Bray’s Corvette – though both cars are a step up in division to Lutz’s machine.
Enough with the chatter and just check out these videos from Drag News Magazine robot Mark Shields and Dragphotos.com.au
Lights Out round one action.
Round two action.
Round three Lights Out grudge racing.
Jeff Lutz takes on Ben Bray’s doorslammer.
Lights Out will hit up Sydney for the first time on Feb 26 at Sydney Dragway.
