The first ever 7-seconder time has been achieved last weekend at the 2021 Motive DVD’s GT-R Challenge and Drag Battle at the Cootamundra Airport.
Anthony Maatouks from Maatouks Racing Team ran an “unachievable” 7.969 seconds within the dying minutes of the Saturday’s solo run event with his R32.
The outright record was broken a whopping five times on that day in the Pro Street GT-R category.
The record coming into the event was 8.22 seconds set by Motorsports Mechanical and earlier on that Saturday, the team driven by “Andrew MSMRH7”, broke their own standing record with an 8.20 seconds run then 8.16 seconds, also with a R32 GT-R.
Maatouks Racing worked hard on the track to go one better than their counterpart with an 8.14 seconds run, before an 8-second flat run.
With the event about to conclude and the sun almost set, Anthony Maatouks hit a top speed of around 317km/h, to clock an insane time of 7.969 seconds.
Timekeepers could not believe their eyes, video crews were excited by what they had just filmed and many watching from the fence were in disbelief of the fact that one would even dare to attempt such a feat on asphalt.
According to Mr Maatouks, by three-quarters of that record-breaking run, he had 2,300 horsepower going through his GT-R car.
And just two days prior, the same GT-R was the first car to break the 300km/h mark at a 400m track at the Cootamundra Airport.
The film-and-shoot event was considered successful for Motive DVD last weekend with the easing of restrictions in comparison to last year.
At the end of 2020, the Sydney-based film company were only allowed 150 people at the event, with 600 applicants initially interested for the exclusive invite-only event.
Last weekend which ran from Friday to Sunday, had an increased capacity of 500.
Covid restrictions with checking-in, social distancing and sanitising were still practiced, but locals were allowed to observe from the Airport carpark and fence-line this time round.
Some racing applicants that missed out in the downsized event in 2020 were brought forward in 2021 and there were around 60 cars entered this time from Victoria, NSW, ACT and Queensland.
There were lots of new cars on display, with different combinations and big builds and around 30 GT-Rs and 25 non GT-Rs.
A number of racing teams spent the bulk of 2020 not in hibernation, but one with many hours in the garage, building the fastest possible cars they can.
Local Police and Highway Patrol officers were also present last weekend and were described as of good sport and great supporters of the event.
They were seen chatting with locals and even congratulated the organiser on putting on a successful event.
Jet Multimedia Director (Motive DVD) Director Andrew Hawkins said it is through the support of the town that inspires participants and his film crew to continue racing and filming at the Cootamundra Airport.
“Many people have asked me why I have continued coming back here and I say it’s because of Council and local police support,” he said.
“Their acceptance in allowing us to do what we do, as well as the community’s support is what motivates us to return each time.
“Cootamundra is a great town that creates an atmosphere for us that is different to any other event we have ever done.”
With perfect weather conditions last weekend, motels and hospitality joints in town were bustling especially since Service NSW Dine Vouchers are eligible in at least eight different venues.
Motive DVD first filmed at the Cootamundra Airport in 2009 and has held more than 20 airport events since then.
With an event in town at least once a year, the number of visits by the crew has grown overtime and Motive DVD will hit our towns at least three more times this year.
Following on from the GT-R Challenge and Drag Battle last weekend, a Muscle Challenge will be held in May, then two Runway Thrash events in June and September.
The first coverage video of 30-minutes will drop sometime today on Motive Video’s YouTube Channel showcasing the Pro Street GT-Rs, followed by Turbosmart Ultimate Steel Car and then at least 10 more coverage videos.
Christopher Tan