Electric drag racer shocks disbelievers

Inside John Wayland's garage in east Portland are two of the most unusual 1972 Datsuns one might ever see. One is white and covered in sponsor decals. It is a little drag racer with enormous power, known as "White Zombie."

The other is blue, polished, with immaculate interior and a state-of-the-art stereo. Cheryl, John's wife, sometimes drives the whisper-quiet car, named the "Blue Meanie," to the grocery store.

Together, both are examples of the way Wayland has turned his childhood dreams of driving cars powered by batteries into reality. They also are evidence of his role as one of the area's pioneering spirits in a technology that might one day turn the automotive industry on its ear.

It all started 10 years ago when, over beers with two other EV (electric vehicle) enthusiasts, the idea of NEDRA -- the National Electric Drag Racing Association -- was hatched.

"We thought it was kind of funny to create a national organization when there was just three of us," Wayland said.

But today, NEDRA does feel national. Wayland said there are quickly growing branches in Florida, another in the Washington, D.C., area, and points in between. And tonight, NEDRA's Late Night Nationals conclude a two-day run at the Portland International Raceway. The track opens at 6 p.m. with racing until midnight.

The electric-car phenomenon has taken a lot of people by surprise.

"We used to go down to Woodburn and get laughed at," Wayland said. "Not anymore."

These days, Wayland regularly blows the doors off traditional dragsters with the White Zombie. The tame-looking car develops 772 pound-feet of torque (compared with 525 from a Dodge Viper). That allows the car to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

"It feels like being shot out of a cannon," Wayland said.

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