Street Machine Drag Challenge 2026, presented by VPW

Update:

Drag Challenge 2026 has officially sold out, with 300 entries locked in! You can check out some of the new blood here and keep an eye on dragchallenge.com.au for tickets and info!

The story to here:

Entries for DC26 are open on the Street Machine Shed. Then the gates will open to all comers at 1pm!

So if you already have Street Machine Shed account, please update it with your latest info so it is ready to go. If you don’t have one now is the time!

You can also see plenty info about the the event in the Shed itself.

Entry is $695 per car, including all crew, plus an entrant t-shirt, sticker and commemorative number plate.

The test and tune on Monday October 26 is $200 and extra drivers are $200.

Street Machine Drag Challenge is the toughest test of man and machine this side of the equator, and this year is set to be even bigger with automotive performance giant VPW Australia coming on board as the presenting sponsor. It’s not the first time VPW have been involved, they were the event sponsors way back in 2014 at the very first Drag Challenge, and this year they will be towing their event trailer around from track to track packed full of performance parts to help out the racers.

Of course, we’ll also have our incredible class sponsors – Speed Pro, Kemppi Australia, Tuff Mounts, Unrivaled Engineering, VCM/HP Tuners and Pulsar Turbos. We certainly couldn’t do this without their support and we love how deeply each of them are embedded into the DNA of the event.

What’s new?

So what’s new for Drag Challenge 2026? How about a new 10.5 index class? A few years ago we introduced the PSR 8.5 and PSR 9.5 index classes to great success, and they’ve proven to be some of the most competitive classes at Drag Challenge.

So this year we’re introducing a 10.5 class that gives those without tubs and rollcages a chance to stretch their legs beyond VCM Performance / HP Tuners DYO competition. We expect the new 10.5 class will also reduce the size of the DYO class to something a little more manageable on racedays, so it’s a win for both entrants and organisers.

What tracks?

Street Machine Drag Challenge presented by VPW will kick off with the tech day on Monday October 26th at the newly christened Victorian Motorsports Park (VMP) in Central Victoria. Formerly known as Heathcote Park Raceway, the historic venue is under new management and is currently undergoing upgrades prior to Drag Challenge, and we can’t wait to test out the new facility.

After the first day of racing at VMP on Tuesday October 27th, we’ll be heading to South Coast Raceway in Portland for Day Two on Wednesday, October 28th, and then heading to Dragway At The Bend on Thursday October 29th for the first of three night meetings.

MORE Interview: Brandon Zito, Drag Challenge 2025 champion

We’ve been kicking around the idea of more night meetings during Drag Challenge for a few years now, and we’ve sprinkled a few around over the years. But we’ve never had three night meetings in the one event, so this will give more spectators a chance to come out and check out the action after work. After racing finishes Dragway At The Bend, racers can make the decision on whether to press on to Atlantic Oils Sunset Strip in Mildura during the cool night air, or grab some sleep and head up in the morning on Friday October 20th for another night meeting.

Then it all finishes back at Victorian Motorsports Park in Central Vic on the evening of Saturday, October 31st, where racers will give it their all for their share of the trophies. Remember, there is no cash at Drag Challenge, racers do it all for the glory, a completion sticker, and a chance of a cool trophy to remember the pain and torment they suffered during the week. It’s for the vibe, it’s for the experience, it for the bloody adventure of it all!

Sound like a plan?

So if that sounds like your kind of party, jump into the Street Machine Shed and update your current entry profile or create a new one, because that’s where you will need to enter come late April (we’ll announce the dates on social media soon), and have your credit card ready because entries will sell out fast.

This year, anyone who finished in the top three of their class in 2025 will have a guaranteed spot – but you’ll need to enter on day one to secure it.

What about sanctioning?

This year’s event will be dual sanctioned by ANDRA and IHRA. As we’ve done in the past, there will be a reciprocal arrangement, so you won’t need to hold two licences. However, it is likely you will need a current ANDRA tech for your car regardless of what license you hold. We’ll provide more information on this soon.

MORE Drag Challenge 2025 wrap-up