By Jehran Naidoo for Auto Rush
The naturally aspirated R32 motor has become a beloved choice in the domestic drag racing scene. Its sound and ability to take a pounding is what makes it a feasible choice.
But the engine has been growing in popularity these past few years. Mainly due to the influence of Denzil’s Auto in Chatsworth and in recent times – JJ Customs in Phoenix.
Like the Nissan VVL list, which is as competitive as the English Premier League, a R32 list seems to be emerging in Durban.
Adzo and Yosh hot on trail
Durban drag racers Aadil Badat and Yoshlin Chetty were hot on the tails of an 11-second quarter mile time in their naturally aspirated R32 powered Golf 1’s.
Both racers put aside their 4 cylinder engines for JP Spies Mexico event, and showed up with their 6-pot dragsters.
Adzo posted three 12 flat runs – 12.073, 12.014 and 12.017.
Yoshlin ran a little inches faster than Adzo with 12.081, 12.088, 12.019, 12.006 [fastest run] and 12.046.
Both racers exited the quarter mile between 185 and 188 km/h and had a 60ft of 1.8 seconds.
Kevin Moonsamy leads the pack
The pair looked eager to enter the 11-second bracket, achieved by another season Durban dragster – Kevin Moonsamy.
11.9 seconds was the time Kevin set during the Fwd Shootout in August last year, making him one of the only street cars still in the circuit in the 11 second bracket.
Kevin’s Golf 1 4-door is still a street legal vehicle. All three racers vehicles were built by Denzil’s Auto.
Kavish Singh was one of the first Durban racers to break into the 11 second bracket with a street trim R32 but has not been seen around the races in recent times.
Denzil’a Auto racer Naveshan Pather holds the record for fastest naturally aspirated R32 in a drag spec Golf 1 at 11.0 seconds.
The rest of the field
The other R32 powered Golf 1’s at the track belonged to AE Performance.
Aadil Emam ran a fastest quarter mile time of 13.075 @ 177 km/h and a 60ft of 2.1 seconds on the day.
Both Adzo and Yoshlin are likely to use March 1’s full prep showdown to break the 11 second naturally aspirated R32 barrier and join Kevin in the highly sought after yet elusive club.
Subash Ragunand is also hot on the 11 second bracket, with a 12.115 @184 km/h posted last year.
Justin Applesamy, owner of JJ Customs ran a 12.783 @163 km/h while Thishaylin Naidoo posted a 12.793 @174 km/h in his R32.
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