DRAG STARLET

Having been converted from a ‘big block bogan’ to a rotor head by the FC Datalogit RX-7 team, having crewed with them, Anton ditched the idea of running V8s in his cars for a life with braps. He acquired this ’84 two-door KP60 roughly a year ago, already set up for a 13B, but wasn’t happy with the mounts and tunnel so decided to remake them with the idea of running the car as a simple summer cruiser. Although, that idea was quickly thrown out the window thanks to his time volunteering at Meremere Dragway and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jeremy Hewson — who’s run a 8.73 at 155mph (249kph) in his own 13B-powered Starlet.

Having Jeremy and fellow drag racer Aaron Jenkins (eight-second twinturbo Torana), as friends, it wasn’t long before Anton and the boys were taking a grinder to the floor to back-half the chassis. Jeremy has lent his old slicks for sizing and helped with chassis design, as well as imparting massive amounts of drag racing knowledge.

Current plans will see it running a 4-71 blower–fed 12A with an FC RX-7 five-speed box backing onto a tough-as-nails nine-inch. The ultimate goal for the car is running nines and popping wheelies, as he puts it, all the while driving to and from the track legally. A welder-fabricator by trade, Anton is under no illusions about the time frame, especially as he is completing almost all of the work himself in his spare time, setting a five-year plan to see it shaken down.