12 minute read
RAISING HELL Blown 363ci XR Falcon Ute
But it’s under the bonnet where this Fairmont has had the most attention paid. The Cleveland may still be in place but it’s been rebuilt by Reconditioning Services and now tops out at 383ci with 640hp being produced on E85 fuel. Before the bonnet is lifted, the twin 750HP Holley carbs give you a clue as to just how tough the Fairmont is under the bonnet. If not, the idle will! It’s wild enough to rattle the fillings from your teeth! Serdar wanted to keep his engine aspirated. He’s not into blowers or turbo’s, relying only on the raw horsepower produced the old school way – without the aid of any power adders!
Before the reworked 4V heads, Weiand tunnel ram and carbs were bolted into place, the block was to be stripped down and filled with the best gear available for the humble Clevo. A Scat crank works with a set of Carillo rods and JE pistons to up the cubic capacity, while that wildly idling cam is a custom grind from Crane. A Mellings oil pump ensures the slippery stuff gets from the High Energy sump to the required places without any problems. The fuel supply from the huge bootmounted cell happens thanks to the Magnafuel 500 pump. The MSD 6AL ignition combines with the Bosch distributor to provide the spark and after the bang takes place, the ensuing gases are shown the door via a pair of custom 2-inch headers that open into a dual, 3-inch system.
Al’s Raceglides were called upon to build the C4 auto, adding a reverse-pattern shift and much tougher internals in the process. The converter is a Dominator and stalls out at 5500rpm. Naturally, there’s a nine-inch diff hanging out at the back and easily handles any abuse thrown at it thanks to 35-spline axles and a Strange Tru-Trac centre. The suspension and brakes are almost as per the factory spec-sheets. The Pedders brand is attached to the front coil springs and all four shocks, with the rear end getting the leaf springs reset 1-inch lower and also scoring a set of Caltracs to help with the traction. And with all that power up front, it needs all the help it can get. Braking is still the ultra-reliable disc and drum set up. Completing the old school build theme is a set of Weld Pro-Star rims – 15x4 on the nose and 10-inch on the rear.
The original sheet-metal was bolted back on, the roll cage removed and the green paint rubbed down in readiness for the shiny new Brambles Red colour with familiar GT blackouts, badges and striping.
After a built time of about 18-months, Serdar is fairly happy with the way the Fairmont has turned out. There are a couple of changes he would like to make though including the wheels and a switch back to Premium Pump fuel just to make it easy to refill when he has the family out for a cruise. Sure, he’ll drop a couple of ponies in the process, but that’s a small sacrifice to make. Eventually, this XW will be put on the market with the two others taking priority over this one. One of them is finished and will appear in Killer Rides soon, whilst the other is in the build and promises to be one hell of a Falcon when completed. Stay tuned…
Blue Oval BROTHERHOOD
Whilst much of the country was placed into lockdown, those living in Queensland were about to get out and about and for the Ford fans, that meant getting out to Willowbank Raceway for the annual Blue Oval bash…
Bathed in blue skies and plenty of sunshine, the grassed pit area of the raceway played host to hundreds of all models, makes and styles of Fords, forming quite the show and shine that certainly catered for all tastes. For every faithfully restored version, there were two or three highly-modified Fords on display satisfying those that don’t care about authenticity. Scattered around the pit area were a number of trade stands and also several swap meet stalls helping those looking for that elusive part.
Lowkey in its approach, the racing was a bit of fun, with many hitting the track for the first time.
STELLAR LINE UP OF RACERS AT PIONEER DRAG RACING AWARDS
The Revived Pioneer Drag Racing Awards will take place at Heathcote Park Raceway on Saturday 18th September from approximately 4.00pm until late. Admission to the evening’s festivities will be $20. Come along and see an absolute cavalcade of drag racing stars like “Jungle Jim” Carter Benny Gatt, Pirotta and Carauana the “Satisfaction” team, Geoff Pratt, Peter and Helen Russo, Bill Barclay of “Road Rattler” fame, Phil Soderstrom, “The Kerang Kid” Ken Spence, “Jet Car Jack” MacDonald, John Kreis “The Clockwork Orange, Bob “Lil Gangster” Sherry, Keith “The Rooman” Burgan, John Fleming NSW pioneer and as grand marshall Jack “Fizzball” Collins. Even the presenters are super stars: “Pommie Pete” Allen, Hans Van Dyk, Paul Rogers, “Rigid Rod” Marchant, Jim Walton, John “Fat Cat” Hoskins and Pete “Pud” Thompson just to name a few. The Vintage Gas guys will be racing on both Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th and they put on a fabulous show. Don’t miss this weekend at Heathcote Park Raceway. To be promoted by Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez and Nathan Prendergast, the new series has the full support of the four Top Fuel teams currently competing in Australia – Jim Read Racing, PremiAir Racing, Rapisarda Autosport International and the Lamattina Top Fuel Racing team. The new series looks towards holding six events in 2022 between Jan and June, including events in Victoria and WA with some events to be run with the ANDRA Championship rounds. It’s hoped that each round will attract at least six Top Fuel cars. Andy Lopez has hinted that the Championship will be promoted as a festival and will include other elements designed to attract more fans. It is hoped that the Australian Top Fuel Championship calendar will be realised soon.
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
WILD BUNCH AT THE AEROFLOW WORLD FUEL ALTERED CHALLENGE Video by Fast Performance Video’s - fpv.net.au
1/8 MILE - OUTLAW
1. Wade Wagstaff 3.790 @ 200.26mph 2. Kyle Hopf/Terry Seng 3.831 @ 204.94mph 3. Steve Ham 3.837 @ 205.63mph 4. Joe Gauci 3.850 @ 201.00mph 5. Perry Bullivant 3.860 @ 202.61mph 6. Craig Burns 3.890 @ 192.92mph 7. Daniel Szabolics 3.890 @ 190.00mph 8. Harley Hamilton 3.940 @ 197.00mph 9. Ben Bray 3.959 @ 201.76mph 10. John Ricca 3.964 @ 199.49mph
1/8 MILE – 275 TYRE
1. Farrugia/Androutsos 4.155 @ 186.12mph 2. Stu Henry 4.196 @ 176.80mph 3. Tim Cross 4.290 @ 178.95mph 4. Tony Webb 4.347 @ 177.42mph 5. Michael Kalaitzakis 4.363 @ 186.02mph 6. Sam Metro/Maatouk 4.422 @ 175.25mph 7. Steve Bezzina 4.436 @ 171.71mph 8. Sean Muscat 4.437 @ 168.22mph 9. Matt McCarthy 4.450 @ 168.75 mph 10. Varun Sharman 4.470 @ 16.736 mph
¼ MILE - OUTLAW
1. Joe Gauci 6.052 @ 241.50mph (315) 2. Sam Metro/Maatouk 6.472 @ 219.94mph (275) 3. Farrugia/Androutsos 6.557 @ 215.93mph (275) 4. Daniel Nunziante 6.580 @ 228mph 5. Dom Luppino 6.600 @ 230mph (315) 6. Profab/Forster 6.620 @ 192mph (315) 7. Perry Bullivant 6.670 @ 217mph (315) 8. Mark Leake 6.700 @ 220mph (315) 9. Steve Bezzina 6.723 @ 208.88mph (275) 10. Harley Hamilton 6.782 @ 168mph (315)
¼ MILE – 275 TYRE
1. Sam Metro/Maatouk 6.472 @ 219.94mph 2. Farrugia/Androutsos 6.557 @ 215.93mph 3. Steve Bezzina 6.723 @ 208.88mph 4. Varun Sharma 6.790 @ 212.16mph 5. Tim Cross 6.800 @ 214.00mph 6. Nader/Maatouk 6.840 @ 209.00mph 7. Joe Gauci 6.850 @ 215.00mph 8. Robert Marjan 6.868 @ 204.20mph 9. Frank Tarabay 6.940 @ 204.00mph 10. Danny Busbridge 6.940 @ 199.64mph
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WHAT’S ON WHERE?
SYDNEY DRAGWAY www.sydneydragway.com
Every Wednesday Night - Aeroflow Race 4 Real Nov 13/14 NSW All Ford Day Swap / Show
HIDDEN VALLEY DRAG STRIP www.hiddenvalleydrags.com No Events Listed at this Time
STEEL CITY DRAG CLUB www.steelcitydrags.com
SUNSET STRIP MILDURA www.sunsetstrip.org.au
Aug 21-22 Nostalgia Drags Sept 18-19 Summit Racing Sportsman Sept 24-26 Sunset Strip Junior Nationals
BENARABY DRAGWAY www.benarabydragway.com
Aug 27-29 Rocket Nationals
SOUTH COAST RACEWAY www.southcoastraceway.com.au
Nov 13 Chicago Shoot Out Dec 4 South Coast 5K Dec 11/12 South Coast Nationals
PERTH MOTORPLEX www.motorplex.com.au
Every Wednesday – Whoop Ass Wednesday
SPRINGMOUNT RACEWAY www.springmountraceway.com
Aug 20/21 Thunder in the Tropics
WILLOWBANK RACEWAY www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Aug 28 2021 Qld Drag Racing Championships
SHOALHAVEN TO KEEP LOOKING FOR SUITABLE MOTORSPORT VENUE SITE!
Just when you thought all hope had been lost and that the promising action to secure a motorsport venue in the Shoalhaven area was ditched becuase of some rare orchids, it seems that even though the Council had decided to scrap the DA at the Strategy and Assets Committee meeting on July 20, a motion was carried to continue looking into securing a more suitable site at Yerriyong on the outskirts of town.
Seven months after Motocycles NSW abandoned their plans for the circuit, the Council launched their own DA and sought funding from State and Federal government to help purchase the land. But soon after fires and floods ravaged the area, the Orchids appaeared, putting an end to the original venue plans. Thankfully, the Council will continue to look for an alternative site that ticks all of the boxes required. The battle continues...
HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED YET? GO TOwww.pscmag.com.au DO IT NOW! IT’S FREE!
NAME: Matt Grubisa
OCCUPATION: Paintless Dent Removal Technician
VEHICLE: 1969 Chev Camaro
DRIVELINE: Twin Turbo 481X
BEST ET & MPH: 4.0 & 199.99mph
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN RACING:
Testing Radial Firebird in Orlando
FIERCEST COMPETITOR:
Wade Wagstaff
FAVOURITE PLACE TO RACE:
Willowbank Raceway, QLD
FAVOURITE CLASS TO WATCH:
Radial Vs World
CAREER HIGHLIGHT:
Winning Outlaw 10.5 APSA Grand Final two years in a row!
FUTURE PLANS: To run 3’s at over 200mph on radials.
ANDRA INTRODUCES CHANGES TO MINIMUM FIELD REQUIREMENTS
Effective as of July 7th, ANDRA has implemented a minimum field of four cars must attempt to qualify , and at least four cars must contest the first round of eliminations. This applies to ANDRA Group 2, 3 and 4 Eliminator in all Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series rounds in 2021/22.
POWERCRUISE #86 TO INCLUDE BIG DOLLAR NO PREP RACE MEET
Gup has decided to give the Brisbane Powercruise a huge boost with a “No Prep” race meet where (a minimum)16 cars owners each pay $1000 to buy a spot on the racing list, with the entire prize pool to be taken home by the eventual winner. That $16,000 has been further boosted by $5,000 thanks to the cool guys at Haltech who have donated to the cause, giving someone the chance to win a whopping $21,000!
With that sort of money on offer, its no wonder the entrant list feature names like Hayes, Hewitt, Kryger, Habib, Trapnell, Ockers, Grima, Simpson and more! Even Gup himself has entered to take on those all gunning to win the cash. That minimum prize money could go higher if more interest from entrants is shown. For those that go out in round one, there’s an opportunity to buy your spot back for $500 and any and all of that re-buy in cash will be handed over to the eventual runner-up. The only rule Gup has stipulated is that all cars must have swinging doors. For more, check out the website – www.powercruise.com
OWEN SCOTT - 1964 EH HOLDEN UTE WORDS / PICS – PAUL BECK APPRENTICESHIP20-Year
As a first-year carpenter apprentice, Owen Scott needed an affordable ride to serve as a work hack. 20-years later, he got to drive it…
Owen picked his newly acquired EH up from the other side of Canberra, but during the short trip home, he soon realised that he may have got more than he had bargained for. The Ute wasn’t the best driving car in the world and the “adventurous” drive home was an eye-opener to say the least. “At one point, I jumped on the brakes and almost put it into a wall”, Owen explained. After easing it home into the garage, Owen found a little bit of rust and decided to get that fixed. Unbeknown at the time, but that “little bit of rust” kick-started a long time build. Not long after starting the build process, Owen was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Down but not out, Owen put everything on hold whilst he concentrated on beating the illness – which he did. As a gift from his parents, the Ute was shipped off to have the body and paint work completed.
Owen’s first choice for the new colour was black, but after thinking long and hard about it, the lure of a candy paint job had him change his mind, finally opting for PPG Wine Fire...
