This past drag racing season saw many youngsters coming through the ranks with great results, here we take a closer look at nine of them.

Each season there is an influx of new drivers competing, or existing drivers stepping up to run in a more competitive class. The 2008/2009 season saw more youngsters racing at a competitive level than ever before, so we thought it was about time we took a closer look at those achievers.

While many have come from racing Junior Dragsters as kids, there are a few who have jumped straight into the deep end. Read on to find out where these young achievers have come from and what the future holds.

Morice McMillin

Age: 23
Vehicle: Dodge Avenger Funny Car
Sponsors: Scrap Palace, Teng Tools, Brad Penn Oil, Nostalgia Motors, Upper Hutt Glass, Mitsi Spares Hamilton, Jonsey’s Garage, ISS

Morice McMillin has probably been in the limelight more than any other young driver this year, thanks to his great success in the Scrap Palace-sponsored Dodge Avenger Funny car.

When Morice was just five years old, his father Noel started building a Junior Dragster for him. However, he didn’t get to drive it until he was eight. “It was my Christmas and birthday presents for three years,” Morice says with a laugh. After that car came another two Juniors, which his brother and sister also drove.

Aged 12, Morice competed at the Junior World Champs, where during the one meeting he made more passes than in a whole season of racing back home. While in Australia he also competed at the Winternationals, although much to his disappointment he only got three runs in before the event was rained out.

But Morice didn’t remain in juniors for too long. “I got a bit bored with Juniors,” he says, “so left to crew for Blobby [Mark Thomas] and his ute. Any event that Blobby wasn’t running at, I would race dad’s truck.” The truck in question is Noel’s daily-driver-come-work-hack, which while no doubt fun, is far from fast.

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On the show this week:

Feature Car

Chances are it’s the most customised car you will ever see on our roads. While registered as a 1950 Studebaker, the reality is there are parts off Studebakers of many different ages that have been formed together to create the ultimate delivery. This is one feature car you wont want to miss.

Young Achievers

We wrap up our feature on the countries young achievers by checking out Shanelle Dobson, Scotty Miller and Goof Sherwin have been up to over the last race season.

On Track

We went out to Pukekohe with one of the best presented Central Muscle Cars; Glenn Alingham’s big block Camaro. Unfortunately, it wasn’t looking so good by the time it got back home. Watch the show to find out why!

Plus don’t forget to watch the show for your chance to win a trip for 4 to the Gold Coast and Meguiars products. Click here to visit the competitions page.

Check out footage from Episode 13 below:

On the show this week:

Huge Prizes

If you purchase Issue 50 of NZV8 (on sale now, click here for details) you can go in the draw to win a trip for four to the Gold Coast Nitro Super GP worth over $12k! Watch the show for more info on how to enter.

Feature Car

We ran out of room for it last week, but this is one feature car you won’t want to miss, its Nick Kale’s genuine GTHO Phase II Ford Falcon. This is the real deal with a prestigious racing history, now restored to perfection.

Andy’s back from the 24-hour around Nürburgring, so look out for a full report from him.

Young Achievers

Speaking of successful racing, we catch up with Anthony Marsh, as seen in the current issue of NZV8 Magazine, Anthony has been having huge success at the dragstrip in the Metalman Dragster.

Muscle Car Racing

We caught up with Shane Moore and his ex Super GT winning Commodore at Taupo recently, and were amazed with the vehicle. Shane tells us all about it on this weeks show.

Don’t forget to watch the show for your chance to win great prizes from our sponsors, such as Meguiar’s car care products and GT Radials tyres.

Eddie Thomas was the lucky winner of a set of 17inch Champiro HPZ tyres valued at $1300 thanks to GT Radials. Click here to check our current competitions.

Check out clips from NZV8 TV Episode 11 below.

On the show this week:

Feature Car

This week’s feature car is straight from the cover of NZV8’s 50th issue, a 900hp Hemi powered Road Runner. Immaculate in every way and about as powerful as street cars come, this is one feature car that you wont want to miss. NZV8 Magazine editor Todd Wylie is on hand, and goes over the car pointing out exactly what makes a cover car worthy.

Another car from the 50th issue, and one that is just as special is Nick Kales’ GTHO Falcon. This is the real deal, and is currently on sale for the price of an average house. Find out what makes this car so special on the show.

Young Achievers

Last week we bought you the countries fastest 21 year old, this week it’s the fastest 24 year old – Morice McMillin and his Chev powered Funny Car.

Event

If you prefer a bit of a slower pace, we attended the GM Car Clubs annual show to check out a few rides and find out what the GM Club is all about.

Competition

Don’t miss your chance to win a set of GT radials 17inch Champiro HPZ tyres valued at $1300, watch this week’s show to find out more.

Check out clips from NZV8 TV Episode 10 below.

On the show this week Ewan Gilmore presents from the pages of NZV8 magazine:

Feature Car

This week we check out Jonny Udy’s late model twin turbo Monaro. Basically a V8 Supercar in a Monaro shell set up to drift, Jonnys car is showing the import boys what V8 turbo power is all about.

From the GT1 Race Series in Taupo we keep the Ford camp happy, and catch up with Dwayne Carter and his ex V8 Supercar BF Ford Falcon.

Young Achievers

Issue 50 of NZV8 magazine has a huge feature on the up and coming young drivers such as 21 year old Todd Vincent. We caught up with the top alcohol dragster driver who so nearly won the NZDRA Top Alcohol Series Championship this year. From only one season in Supercharged Outlaws which he won, Todd was given the keys to the Vincent family dragster as a 21st birthday present. Todd Vincent the fastest 21 year old in New Zealand.

Competitons

Watch for your chance to win Meguiars products.

Plus subscribe to win. Text V8 to 244 to win a Formula Challenge Ultimate Driving Experience at Taupo worth $495

Check out footage from the show below.