Once they were happy with the profile, it was sent to Rod Benjes at DB Race Cars for additional helmet bars, some floor work, and fireproofing. This started with Neil cutting the body up to reshape it and lower it a few inches over the chassis. Those details would include much more than a cleverly designed vinyl wrap, so, once the style was confirmed, the metal mastery began. They managed to have a good close-up look at it to work out some of the details for their car. The final idea was confirmed when the family made the trip between Covid lockdowns to the Winternats at Willowbank, where they found a car similar to what Jason had been imagining. Loving the look of fuel Altereds, he set about doing some design work to see what would be required to transform the car into having a similar look. Being a signwriter by trade, and the mastermind behind the much-talked-about graphic scheme on Dion Crook’s FED, he had not only the vision but the ability to get the car looking how he wanted. The custom work required to get the engine fitted wasn’t the only change Jason had in mind for the Altered. In theory, the changeover would be simple, as both engines were - on paper - the same the reality was somewhat different, with the blocks being different generations, meaning both cars required major reworking to get the new engines in place, let alone all the plumbing changes required. This would leave the dragster motor available to swap back into the Altered, creating a win-win all around - apart from the bank balance and any semblance of spare time the family may have had. The purchase then worked in two ways for the Robertson clan not only did Jason end up with a rolling Altered, but the Altered’s motor would be a perfect upgrade to replace the 526ci Keith Black package in Jordan’s dragster. The 526ci Keith Black Hemi had recently been freshened up as, before the world went pear-shaped, Glen had been on a mission to make the car run a five-second quarter. It would have been, too - except, after the deal was done for the rolling car minus engine, a second deal was struck to purchase the running gear out of it. Knowing Buck had built the chromoly tube chassis, and the car had run 6.99 at 190mph, Neil knew it would be the perfect rolling chassis for Jason to drop a slightly less wild engine package into to begin his racing career. During that call, he let slip that the car could be for sale. Perhaps it was fate, then, that had Glen call Neil about something unrelated. The pair decided the lack of racing for the foreseeable future and the fact the driver was in a different country meant they may as well sell up - they could always make (another) comeback in the years to come if they wanted to. With global travel almost impossible, Kiwi Glen Collett was stuck in Australia, while the Altered he co-owned with Murray ‘Buck’ Buckingham was on this side of the Tasman. Luckily, mum Jill has always been supportive of the boys’ - including Neil’s - obsessions, and, although not totally convinced they needed a second car at the time, did agree to purchase one.Īt the time this family discussion was going on, the world was in disarray due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Altereds, or, more specifically, Fiat Topolinos were what he leaned towards, although with one blown alcohol car in the family already, adding another was always going to be a tough task. While some may say it was inevitable with Neil being involved, what started off as a casual racing career soon evolved into a full-blown effort - and a blown alcohol–fuelled race car.Īs a key crew member of Jordan’s racing programme, Jason was exposed to the highs and lows that the sport brings, and soon had a hankering for a car of his own. The sport took its toll physically and eventually it got to a point at which even Jason realised it was getting ridiculous.īy this time, big brother Jordan was competing in a dragster and starting to work his way up the ranks into Top Alcohol. Neil did his part, too, being the coach of the rugby team for many seasons. Jason’s main hobby was rugby and, just like his dad, he didn’t take part just to make up the numbers but was highly competitive and successful. However, as Jason and his brother Jordan got older and started to have hobbies of their own, Neil and sold up everything and stepped away from racing to spend time with the family. His dad, Neil, was busy scoring race wins in his top alcohol funny car, while Jason was more interested in playing with toy cars. As a young kid, Jason Robertson was dragged around the drag strips of New Zealand.
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