THE South Coast Raceway was up against it on the weekend with the prospect of torrential rain threatening to throw a spanner in the works for the South Coast 660.

However, organisers, volunteers and drivers alike were able to work together to ensure the event was completed in time, with the last race finished 15 minutes before Saturday night’s downpour began, according to South Coast Drag Racing Association president Tim Parker.

“The event went very successfully, we made a lot of changes in taking away Friday’s test and tune to get it all done Friday and Saturday, the drivers responded really well to the challenge of getting through our races.

“The Friday qualifying didn’t suit everyone, but I’d say we got about 85% who showed up for that.

“It’s a credit to everyone involved the way we were able to push everything through to get it done just in time, we finished more than an hour ahead of schedule.

“We had a bit of luck on our side with the event being incident-free but getting the full 145 entrants through was still an impressive effort.”

Parker said the club was thankful for a good crowd turnout and especially for the volunteers – new and old – who came along to assist.

“Anyone who has been involved with a club like this knows you can’t do it without the help of the volunteers, so it was amazing that we were able to get on the phone to people and they could come down and help out.

“And to the people who are there for each and every event, I can’t thank them all enough for the work they put in to get it done.”

Parker said the club will now enjoy a four week break ahead of the South Coast Rumble.

“It’s a well-earned break, the people here deserve a chance to wind down a little bit before the next one, which will be another three-day event in the first weekend of February,” he said.