The dragster is the world’s only VW Beetle ‘funny car’ - and goes from 0-60mph in under a second.
Makers of the £100,000 one-of-a-kind Nitro Bug are proudly showing off their car around Suffolk this summer ahead of its debut on the drag racing track.
Mechanic Andy Raw, owner of AMR Motors and TSR Engine Conversions in Exning, Newmarket, boasts that the car can go from 0-60mph in a staggering 0.9 seconds and also revealed that Nitro Bug is the world’s only VW Beetle ‘funny car’ - a drag racer that resembles a recognisable car at the front but with a longer body designed for quarter-mile drag racing.
It has taken Mr Raw four years and £100,000 to finish building the dragster.
Mr Raw said: “No one has ever done this and now I know why: it’s a nightmare. But I like a challenge.”
Describing his motivation he said: “I originally had a VW Beetle that was identical to this car, but I wanted to go whole hog and drive a Nitro car.”
The car is due to race is a special nostalgia class with other cars built to their original specifications and regulations from the 1970s.
Mr Raw is hoping his project will help raise money for charity Embrace and has added decals carrying their logo.
He added: “We thought was a really good idea as we bought out a new car and we wanted to give Embrace more exposure.
“We’re planning to be at events with the car throughout the summer where I will be doing my best to help spread awareness of Embrace.”
Embrace is a national charity, with offices in Cambridgeshire, that provides practical support and counselling – including newly-introduced equine therapy – to children who have been victims or otherwise affected by crime.
Embrace chief executive Anne Campbell said: “Andy has done lots to raise funds for Embrace and we’re very excited to see ‘Nitro Bug’ unveiled and to be working closely with Andy and his crew to help spread awareness of our work.”
Nitro Bug made its inaugural static appearance with Mr Raw and racing partner-turned crew chief Karl Harrison on July 13 at Santa Pod Race Way in Wellingborough, supported by Embrace team members and charity mascot Alfie the Embrace Bear.
He hopes to display it across Suffolk in September and start racing in the UK in 2019.
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