We love a good sleeper on Drag Challenge, and Deni Dave’s latest addition is probably one of the sleepiest we’ve seen in a long time. Best known for his survivor Cannonball Cup ZF Fairlane that he’s road-tripped all over the country, Dave probably wasn’t one you’d pick to own a 2002 Suzuki Vitara. So, why does he? Because it’s running an LS and nitrous, of course!

“I purchased the car off a good mate of mine from Queensland, so I already knew all the details,” says Dave. “It drives bloody beautiful, and it’s a nice surprise for people when you take it to the drag strip!”

The LS1 sports a different bumpstick, with a valvetrain to match, and a 200-shot of nitrous. Dave says it’s good for 586rwhp through the Turbo 400 ’box and HiLux diff. “I’m running the PSR drag radials, and it lifts a wheel at Wilby!” he says.

Those radials are full-size 275s, giving the hairdressers’ soft-roader a gnarly presence in the lanes at the strip. “I’ll even drive it on the street with those on sometimes,” Dave says. “It does keep people guessing.”

Dave says the car ran a best of 10.2 in previous hands at Willowbank, and so far he’s managed 10.5@128mph. “Eventually, I’ll look to get it into the nines, but for Drag Challenge, if we can run low 10s and finish, that’ll do me.”

It’s Dave’s first Drag Challenge, having followed along in previous years. “I’m really excited,” he says. “People who know me know I’m not afraid of a road trip. I mean, I drove the Vitara from Tocumwal to Wilby for War in the Sticks. To be truthful, I daily drive the thing; it’s beaut! I take it to do shopping, the whole lot.”

2025 Drag Challenge class:

HP Tuners / VCM Performance Dial-Your-Own