DRAG Challenge is here for 2019, with racing starting today at Calder Park Raceway. Yesterday was rego day, where we scrutineered the cars and checked them into the event. We’ve got an amazing bunch of cars competing from all over the country, so let’s check out a few of the latest and greatest!

Ben Amey from Reaper Performance Diesel freighted his 2010 Colorado ute over from WA to run in Haltech Radial Blown class. Packing a stock 4JJ1 three-litre four-banger the oil-burner will swallow 65psi from a Precision 6870 turbo, making 550rwhp on pump diesel.

To combat the portly mass of the stock Colorado Ben fitted carbon fibre doors, front guards, bonnet and front fascia, getting the two-door down to approximately 1450kg. Having run a previous PB of 10.70 he’s hoping the new 4L80 trans will see him eventually hit the nines.

Graeme Horner’s ‘83 VH Commodore is a rolling tribute to his younger brother who passed away at 16. The SL/X originally ran a 202, replaced by Graeme with a 500hp 355 plastic, and now a stout 429ci LSX with twin 72mm turbos to make “over 1000hp” and put the squeeze on the Turbosmart Outlaw Blown class.

David Barber is surely in with a chance of taking out the Long Hauler award at Drag Challenge 2019, having driven his twin-turbo LS-powered HQ tonner all the way from Mandurah, West Australia.

The seriously neat ute features full Accuair air suspension, innovative custom dash and metal work in the engine bay, and has made 680rwhp on just 20psi. The iron LQ4 six-litre wears a pair of GT3568, with a stock PCM to run the show.

“It’s my first Drag Challenge, and the XR ute been built with the event in mind; everything is a compromise between racing and endurance,” explained Rob Giangrave. “We’ve spent the past year going over the car getting it ready, but you’re never quite ready for this event, are you!” Rob bought the car off a mate as a going concern, then yanked the existing engine and driveline and fitted up one he prepared earlier. The engine is an EFI-fed 540ci big-block Ford, making a healthy 722hp at the hubs and backed by a Turbo 400 transmission.

Jesse Davidson and his misso Kimberley had a crack at Drag Challenge last year in their HT wagon, but unfortunately didn’t go the distance. They’re back this year to answer unfinished business with this characterful HG ute, which they also campaigned at Drag Challenge Weekend this year. Competing in Carnage Outlaw Aspirated, it runs a carby-fed, 403-cube stroker LS which drinks E85 at the track, and regular pump fuel on the street. “I wrecked it in June, which is why the front is in primer,” said Jesse. “It ran 10.4 at Willowbank, so if I can run somewhere close to that it’ll be good. I just want to finish the event for once!”