PRO TIPS

BRETT is quick to deflect credit for the amazing quality of PROHK’S build; that honour went to his mate John Mawhinney, who was more than happy to fill us in on his journey to Munro-dom. “I actually spotted it at Willowbank years ago and fell head-over-heels in love right there,” he says of his dream ride. Bought as a roller, John wasted no time installing a built 434-cuber pumping out 830hp, but with the wins and losses stacking up in equal measure, the 434 was sold to make way for a monster Brodix 615ci Chev V8. Concurrently, John orchestrated a very clean rebuild, which included a trick Gazzard Brothers rear end, Reid-cased ’Glide and a new rollcage. When the Monaro ran an 8.8sec pass in full street trim on its maiden run, John was elated. “It was one of the proudest achievements in my life,” he says. An 8.79sec pass followed, but a minor disaster struck; not only was the engine presenting a faint miss, the bonnet opened during the run, damaging the engine bay and denting the roof.

For John, the disaster was compounded when a change in work circumstances meant he couldn’t give the car the attention it deserved. Calling Brett Armstrong, John offered him first option – after all, if you have to sell the car of your dreams, who better to buy it than your mate? The handover was a bittersweet affair, with the boys enjoying a couple of beers together while John said goodbye. There and then, Brett made the promise to get the damage fixed and take the car to Summernats with John riding shotgun.