Like everyone else it’s time to plan this years’ racing goals and get busy making them happen, because we have plenty to do.
The Panelvan’s tired 253/trimatic engine is going to be replaced with a 350SBC engine and T400 gearbox, hopefully in time for RD1 at Sydney Dragway.
The Torana needs a gearbox service and a new output shaft, the gear vendors overdrive is coming out after its failure at Gunnedah in December. New wheels and 33″ tires have to be fitted (much chopping to be done), plus a new tail shaft and I need to put in a 2 step ignition so I can use the transbrake. All to be done also for Round 1 in March.
Then I intend to go back to injection and maybe upgrade the engine to a 434 later in the year if I can get crank and rods (I have pistons).
The Torana will run on Powerplus 108+ until the injection goes back on and I switch to Powerplus E85 and the Panelvan will run on Powerplus 102+.
Hopefully my son Mitch will get his nerves sorted and stop his habit of RD1 Red Lights and be competitive in his first full season in Super Street with the Panelvan.
My hopes are to have a trouble free year and finish in the Top 10 at Sydney Dragway’s Atura Championship Series. Also to see how close I can get to 300km/hr in the Snowy Mountains 1000 in the Torana.
Finally if everything goes to plan we are looking to build a burnout car from a Capri and other parts that have been sitting around accumulating dust over the last 10 years, see below.
So good luck to all for the year ahead and I hope we all have a safe and enjoyable race season no matter what our passion is.