A new raceway opening next month in South Australia is set to be the first venue for top level drag racing in two decades.
It has taken two years to build the $35 million raceway at the Bend Motorsport Park, a "passion project" for the motoring-mad Shahin family.
It is a passion echoed by those who love the sport, who tried out the facility for the first time today.
Anthony Raschella, who has been racing for more than three decades, described the new facility as world class.
"It is something that you cannot describe until you witness it firsthand," Raschella said.
"Drag racing is a really good sport, it's where you can get up close and personal, you can walk through the pits, you can talk to the racer.
"We've raced at nearly every track in Australia; to have something like this in your own backyard, this is fantastic."
CEO Alistair MacDonald said the track was one of a few that could host big events.
"We're going to have close to 100 events a year there at the dragway," he said.
The first test of the track will be a Harley Davidson demonstration on Friday night followed by the official opening in October.
The grandstand can seat up to 20,000 people.
The Bend is expected to stake its claim to being the best drag track in the nation.
"It's only going to get better than what is now and today was fantastic," Raschella said.
