Brandon’s beautifully presented two-door Torana is powered by a 364ci Chev small-block wearing twin Garrett GTX3582 turbos that are controlled by a FuelTech FT600 ECU.

Running on E85 Brandon has run up to 24psi through the SBC, and has seen 1260rwhp on the dyno. Having previously done well at events like King Of The Street, hopes were high for a good showing on DC 2019.

“This is a whole brand new combo for Drag Challenge this year,” Brandon said. “We hurt the motor at Drag Challenge last year so there have been a lot of changes. The car went 7.90 at Swan Hill on the previous combo.”

Despite issues getting it out of the hole, Brandon managed to bank an 8.29@175mph on Day One at Calder. He backed that up with a 5.62@128mph on the eighth-mile at Mildura on Day Two, before clocking 5.31@137mph on Day Three.

“It was leaving on only 4psi,” said Brandon. “I struggled on Tuesday but worked out I needed more in it off the line so it stuck better at mid-track. I tried that first run Wednesday and it went 5.31!”

The weather in Portland proved a challenge, but Brandon still managed a 5.68@127mph before he hit the road back to Melbourne.

Brandon threw everything at 1BADLC on Friday, and he was rewarded with a 7.99@176mph to land him fifth in class, seventh outright, and membership to the Seven-Second Club.

“I was rapt with how we did,” said Brandon. “We didn’t have any problems on the road, apart from the left-rear tyre going flat one night in Mildura. After the issues last year I was really happy with how we did.”

TROPHY:
SEVEN-SECOND CLUB

1971 HOLDEN LC TORANA
Class: Haltech Radial Blown

SPECS
Engine: 364ci small-block Chev
Turbos: GTX3582
Transmission: Powerglide
Converter: SDE 3200rpm
Diff: 9in, 3.25:1 gears
Power: 1260rwhp
Previous PB: N/A
Best DC 2019 Pass: 7.99@176mph