“Two of my three passes at Mildura were
7.864@87mph – talk about consistent,” Shane
enthuses. “I’m very happy with that!”TAKING THE
CHALLENGE
SM SCRIBE CARLY DALE TACKLED DRAG
CHALLENGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2017
ALONGSIDE HER HUBBY SHANE. HERE’S
HER ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIMERSHAVING survived my first Drag Challenge,
I realised there are a few things that people
really should know and prep before rocking
up to DC for the first time.
1> Get those revs down on the highway,
whether via Gear Vendors, an overdrive ’box
or with the tallest tyres you can wedge under
your guards.
2> Pack for all seasons. DC ’17 saw bathers
on Days One to Three and beanies on Days
Four and Five.
3> Chances are you’ll be caught in the rain
during at least one of your drives. Demisters
are really handy for windscreen vision, and
working wipers can also be of use! Tarp up
the trailer or ute.
4> It can also get melting hot. Carry
ridiculous amounts of water, both for the
crew and the car. A wet hand towel around
the neck may also help your sanity.
5> Reliability is a good thing; know your car
and know how to fix it. Do a shake-down
run. As fellow competitor Phil Edmondson
advises: “Start prepping your car well in
advance, and make it as reliable as you can!”
6> Pack spares – gaskets, hoses, water
pumps, alternators. Al Vella packed a
gearbox, while others had everything bar
the block. Definitely bring cable ties and
100-mile-an-hour tape, along with your
whole tool chest, a jack, axle stands and a
wheel brace.
7> Have a good cooling system. For the
engine, that is – a/c is optional, you sooks!
8> Comfort. Electric fuel pumps scream in
the heat; either get used to it or bung in
earplugs. Comfy seats never go astray, but
with so much going on, butt-cushioning will
be the least of your worries. Music can be
nice, unless you’re trying to listen out for
mechanical gremlins.
9> If you have an enclosed trailer, hinge the
roof. We didn’t – big regrets.
10> Have fun! Seriously, if you are not
entering this to have fun, then go check
yo’self. Have a gander at the Street Machine
Drag Challenge online videos – even the
top contenders are having a laugh while
keeping an eye on the prize. DC’s happiest
entrant, Clive Polidano in the blue HZ sedan,
says: “It’s the best car event I’ve attended.
Everyone I spoke to was keen to share a
story and have a laugh. We’ve had oodles of
fun and met some really cool people.”STORY CARLY DALE1977 HZ HOLDEN
SANDMAN PANEL VAN
Class: K&N Dial Your OwnSPECS
Engine: 502ci big-block Chev
Transmission: T400
Converter: 3000rpm Dominator stall
Diff: 3.55:1
Power: 380rwhpPrevious PB: 7.99@87mph eighth-mile
(approx. 12.42 over the quarter)
Best Drag Challenge Pass:
12.30@108mph“Tw“Tw“Tw“Two oo of mf my ty threhreee pe pe ppassassasses ess at at MilMilMilMdurdurdua wa wa ereereree
7.87.8 7 64@64@87m87mph ph –t– t– talkalkalkabababoutoutouutcococonsinsinsistestestnt,nt,nt,” S” SShanhanhane ee
ententententthushuhuhusses.es.“I“I’m ’mverery hy hyhappappappy wy wywy withithithi thththhat!at!at!at”””SMM SCRIBE CARLY DALE TACKLED DRAG
CHALLENGE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2017
ALONGSIDE HER HUBBY SHANE. HERE’S
HER ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIMERSHAVING survived my first Drag Challenge,
I realised there are a few things that people
really should know and prep before rocking
up to DC for the first time.
1 >Get those revs down on the highway,
whether via Gear Vendors, an overdrive ’box
or with the tallest tyres you can wedge under
your guards.
2 >Pack for all seasons. DC ’17 saw bathers
on Days One to Three and beanies on Days
Four and Five.
3 > Chances are you’ll be caught in the rain
during at least one of your drives. Demisters
are really handy for windscreen vision, and
working wipers can also be of use! Tarp up
the trailer or ute.
4> It can also get melting hot. Carry
ridiculous amounts of water, both for the
crew and the car. A wet hand towel around
the neck may also help your sanity.
5> Reliability is a good thing; know your car
and know how to fix it. Do a shake-down
run. As fellow competitor Phil Edmondson
advises: “Start prepping your car well in
advance, and make it as reliable as you can!”
6> Pack spares – gaskets, hoses, water
pumps, alternators. Al Vella packed a
gearbox, while others had everything bar
the block. Definitely bring cable ties and
100-mile-an-hour tape, along with your
whole tool chest, a jack, axle stands and a
wheel brace.
7 > Have a good cooling system. For the
engine, that is – a/c is optional, you sooks!
8> Comfort. Electric fuel pumps scream in
the heat; either get used to it or bung in
earplugs. Comfy seats never go astray, but
with so much going on, butt-cushioning will
be the least of your worries. Music can be
nice, unlessyou’re trying to listen out for
mechanical gremlins.
9 > If you have an enclosed trailer, hinge the
roof. We didn’t – big regrets.
10 >Have fun! Seriously, if you are not
entering this to have fun, then go check
yo’self. Have a gander at the Street Machine
Drag Challenge online videos – even the
top contenders are having a laugh while
keeping an eye on the prize. DC’s happiest
entrant, Clive Polidano in the blue HZ sedan,
says: “It’s the best car event I’ve attended.
Everyone I spoke to was keen to share a
story and have a laugh. We’ve had oodles of
fun and met some really cool people.”STORYCARLY DALE1977 HZ HOLDEN
SANDMAN PANEL VAAN
Class: K&N Dial Your OwnSPECS
Engine:502ci big-block Chev
Transmission:T4 00
Converter: 3000rpm Dominator sttall
Diff: 3 .55: 1
Power: 380 rwhpPrevious PB:7. 99 @ 8 7mpheighthh--mileile
(a(approx. 12.42 over the quartpprox. 1 2. 42 overthequarteteter)r)
Best Drag Challenge Pass:
12.30@108mph