> ARBY CHAT

QUICKEST AUSSIE

WADE Wagstaff has become the world’s quickest Australian radial racer, after running an incredible 3.79@196.47mph in his twin-turbo, Noonan-powered 1957 Chev at Lights Out 10 in the USA in February. “Our plan was to try and run into the 3.80s after qualifying in the top 32 cars, but we managed a 3.79,” Wade said after the event at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

NEW RIDE FOR LEWIS

WOLLONGONG racer Craige Lewis is in the final stages of the build on his new Fox-body Mustang that should comfortably run into the mid sixes. The EX-USA race car has already run into the 4.40s over the eighth, but after seeing the quality of some of the fabrication work when the car arrived, Craige has elected to strip the car, cut the ’cage out and start afresh.

Matt Marsh at Pro Street Industries (PSI) has been steering the rebuild, with a new chrome-moly chassis and funny car-style rollcage, sheet-metal rear end with 40-spline floater, full carbonfibre interior including tubs, RHD steering conversion with a custom RHD carbon dash, and 315 tyres on 14-inch beadlock rims under the rear.

The engine is a fresh Pro Line-built 427ci Windsor combo with a front-mounted Procharger and full Holley EFI system. Local racer and buddy Tomi Raikko will handle the tuning and set-up.

The car still needs a bunch of work at PSI, including tinning out the boot, mounting the dual ’chutes, rear wing, polycarbonate windows, panels, exhaust, fuel tanks, carbon seats and more.

While it’s too early to predict exactly how quick this car can run, it’s pretty clear that it’s aimed at the bottom four-second zone. It’s set for completion in late 2019.

METAL GURU

IF YOU want to see some serious fabricating skills, check out a guy called Kamakazi on Facebook. Yep, that’s his real name, changed by deed poll a few years back.

What this guy can do with metal is astounding, and his current project is fitting a 1967 Mustang fastback body to 2015 Mustang running gear and interior at OZ Rods in Meadowbrook. So far he has put in over 2000 hours of fabrication on the job.

“This is not your average conversion,” Kamazaki says with considerable understatement. “We are making the impossible happen, fitting this body to a taller, wider and longer vehicle.

“Every part of the car is steel and it is all made from scratch. I can’t go to Bunnings and get a manual on how to do this, as it’s never been done before.

“I reckon I’ve probably got a few months’ work left before we get to paint.”

Fortunately for us, a lot of the job has been captured on time-lapse video, so there’s plenty of footage to watch on his page. Check it out!