ROSS HEASLEY

Machine: MRBADQ, 1971 HOLDEN HQ MONARO COUPE Engine: 350CI CHEVY SMALL-BLOCK, 6/71 BLOWER

“I ALWAYS loved going fast and testing the ability of any machine. When I was younger I raced BMX and motocross, and I did a bit of historic motorcycle racing too. But burnouts are just the best fun. Normally, if you ever get to see cars like these, they’re in a static show – you never get to see the owner absolutely handing its arse to it. It’s a unique thing. We build the highest-quality cars and then go out there and give them the hardest time possible. And it’s for up to two minutes at a time. You watch a really good drag race, it’s over in seconds, whereas an average burnout lasts 90 seconds. A lot of things can happen in that time, so it’s exciting to watch. Sometimes the car fights you the whole skid; sometimes it works with you. On those days when it works with you, there’s no better feeling.”

Ross, from Narre Warren, Victoria, has been an HQ man since he was a boy. “Growing up, I had an HQ Prem and a Kingswood,” he says. “Now I’ve got this HQ plus another couple of HQ Monaros and a sedan. Building an HQ Monaro skid car is like a little...