But then there is the shed project of Ricky Boulton.
Boulton, a Milton rest-home owner and part-time farmer, has always loved speedway.
So when he was told he — or more particularly his body — was getting too old for the super stocks on the speedway, he needed something new.
After a talk to his brother, Josh, he knew what the next move was — to get into super saloons and get a car for that challenge.
It’s not just any car.
It’s a special home-made vehicle powered by a US-built 434 cubic inch Chevy engine which can generate 810 horsepower.
Thus the Phantom 861 super saloon was born.
Well, it was in his head.
Getting it on four wheels and ticking over was going to take a bit of work.
"I got the car off my brother Josh and then had to put it together, and more. It was in a million bits but my wife and I put it together," he said.
"It was a lot of nights out here in the shed. My wife [Angie-Lee] and I, and the kids sometimes, for about four months. We did not have a weekend off in all that time."
The American engine was fine-tuned in New Zealand while the dash and gauges in front of the driver, in the single-seat vehicle, are the same as those used in Nascar race cars.
Boulton said it cost him well into six figures.
He is set to make his racing debut in the new vehicle at Beachlands Speedway in Waldronville tonight.
"I’m learning. I’ve not been in this grade before so it’s all new for me. When I was in the super stocks it was all about contact. Now it is the other way round. Trying to stay out of the road.
"When I took her for a practice run that first time it gave me a head rush at the end of the straight. It’s going to be different. That’s for sure.
"It hasn’t got a speedo in it so I’m not sure what I’m going. But it’s quick. It’s a drag car designed for dirt and to turn corners. At the end of the day it is two straights and two corners. That is what I am telling myself."
Super stocks have cages around them to protect the drivers and cars collide in the rough and tumble racing.
Super saloons are more about speed and staying out of trouble.
The wing at the back of Boulton’s new car was designed with help from engineering and design students at the University of Canterbury.
The wing kept the 1-tonne car firmly on the track at top speed, which Boulton estimated at 140kmh.Boulton (44) nicknamed the car Marilyn — "because she’s got as many curves as Marilyn Monroe."
Tonight he will take on his brother Josh and father Bruce — speedway runs in the family — and top Christchurch driver Richie Taylor will also be down to heat up the contest.
