One million watt electric dragster, Frankenstein 2, tests at BIR

1001437+0804_millionwattracer.jpg — At the starting line at Brainerd International Raceway Friday, one million watt electric Extreme Street Stock Racer 'Frankenstein 2' rotates its slicks in the bleach box before making a test run at the track. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

By Steven L. Kohls

August 04, 2014 at 12:41 PM

A drag racing team tested a one million watt electric dragster aptly named Frankenstein 2 at BIR (Brainerd international Raceway) on Friday.

Behind the wheel of the one million watt car was Kerry Hemenway, who helped build the car and is an investor in the project. The man heading the project is Zachary Vex.

Frankenstein 2 was the first electric dragster to ever run at BIR.

The team intends to return with Frankenstein 2 at the end of the month to attempt a new Extreme Street NEDRA record. The existing record is 8.882 sec. and a speed of 131.33 mph in the quarter mile.

Observing the BIR event Friday was NEDRA's (National Electric Drag Race Association) north central regional director "Hella" Stella Kostolna, who holds the world record for fastest production electric car at the Texas Mile. https://www.texasmile.net/mileresults.php?event=10&cni=2481

View a 33 photo KLICK!™ Photo Gallery and Slideshow - KLICK here!

NEDRA is an NHRA sanctioned organization that you'll likely be hearing more about on coming years, as superstars like Don Garlits continue to reset electric drag records. http://www.nedra.com

1001438+0804_millionwattracer1.jpg — Jonathon Sosa, electrical engineering student, (left) takes notes while car owner Zachary Vex gives him information on the one million watt electric Extreme Street race car at Brainerd International Raceway Friday. In the background is driver Kerry Hemenway who retrofitted the two electric motors in the street stock car. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

By Steven L. Kohls

I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.

One million watt electric dragster, Frankenstein 2, tests at BIR

A drag racing team tested a one million watt electric dragster aptly named Frankenstein 2 at BIR (Brainerd international Raceway) on Friday. Behind the wheel of the one million watt car was Kerry Hemenway, who helped build the car and is an inves...