First published in the November 2003 issue of Street Machine

Sydney’s one-day Street Machine Supernats has carved itself a niche in the Aussie street machine scene and like the other big events, it’s the blend of action and relaxation that makes the day such a buzz. The generous trophy pile is the final sweetener, making the entrants’ elbow grease and barked knuckles worthwhile!

Headlining the event was a show’n’shine, burnouts and drag racing. Packing out the program was the go-to-whoa and sideshows such as a sound-off and traders. Throw in some drawcards like Victor Bray’s ’57 Chev burnout beast to the melting pot of show, smoke and poke, and what a day it was!

Top show honours went to the Grima family for their crisp orange Chev (SM, July ’03). The Grimas have been reaping the rewards for their years of late nights working on, under and over their smooth ’55-fronted ’56 Chev. The Supernats trophy haul also included Undercarriage, Engine and Top Sedan. Those four will be added to mass of awards (now totalling 41) since the car was completed earlier this year – the Grimas are grinning.

This pinnacle of perfection was supported by a variety of cars on show, from motley to quality. On par with the Grimas’ Chev, Greg Russell’s Harlequin-coloured ’37 Ford rod (SM, Sep ’01) had a halo of admirers, as did the gaggle of low-riding customs of Mario Colalillo, Glen Jenkins and Chris Palazzo. The whole scene was a matter of ‘show us whatcha got’, with heaps of Chevs, injected Holdens, classy Mopars and tough Fords bathing in the sunlight with sparkle-painted WRXs, sneezy 200SXs and Weber-fed Geminis.

Despite being more than 100 metres from the burnout action, for a good part of the afternoon the display cars were shrouded in smoke. Like the aroma of hot pies or freshly-baked cakes, the wafting smell of tortured tread aroused people’s hunger – and the bellow of the big V8s battling the bitumen sealed the deal. Spectators were leaning three deep against the inside concrete fence while on the spectator hill there was hardly a spare patch of grass for most of the two-hour tyre torture test.

There were several outstanding displays of brute force from notables such as Sal Mancuso’s ‘Forza’ HR Holden and Brett Woods’ fright white HG. Ian Sutherland’s V6 Stato – complete with confusing number plates – took the six-pot trophy and Anthony Musico beat plenty of bling bling with his Fiat 131 for the four-cylinder gong. But at the end of the maelstrom, Matt Abood and his ’57 Chev got the prize and the $3500 purse. Hey, he could make a career outta this!

After a marathon effort from the Eastern Creek team to clean the first quarter of the strip post-burnouts, the drags got underway. One of the highlights of the drags was seeing the debut of Michael Perry’s CRAZYE Pro Street LJ Torana, the successor to his car which was destroyed in a crash at the 2001 Shootout. “We’re serious this time,” said Pro Flow’s Paul Sant, the man behind the LJ’s 388-cube Chev, complete with massive 14/71 blower. The car ran a stonking 8.57sec half track pass for ANDRA officials, promising that this car will be one to watch.

Rain at around 6.30pm was the catalyst for a mass exodus but an hour later, with the threat of rain gone, the drags restarted. Quickest ET was Rotormaster’s 20B RX-7 with Joe Signorelli at the wheel, with a straight-as 7.63.

At the end of the day, no-one could complain they didn’t get their money’s worth. As event promoter Ahmet Sehirligil said afterwards: “I want to cater for all. I’m a street machiner doing it for street machiners, for the love of the sport, know what I mean?”

Gallery:

HIGHLY DANGEROUS

Supernats promoter Ahmet was as happy as any other punter at Supernats. When we spoke to him he was with his long-suffering blue HD Holden ute ‘Highly Dangerous’ in the burnout corral. One of his mates was topping up the small-block’s radiator from a cordial bottle, replacing the fluid Ahmet had lost when he popped his cooling system (and tyres) during his burnout. Ahmet was grinning from ear to ear. “Check this out!” he exclaimed. “I’ve got rubber from one end of the car to the other! All along the sides! And I’m going out again!”

INFREQUENT FLYER

“It’s my first time here in three years,” said Marco Zappia from the driver’s seat of his 10.8sec 351, C4 untubbed Capri. Why so long between strip sessions? “Oh, you know, the usual. No time, no money,” Marco nodded toward Western Sydney International’s near-complete drag strip facility adjacent to Eastern Creek, “but I’ll be back out as often as I can from now on! I gotta get a feel for it. I’m shaky and so is the car!” Marco’s owned his Capri since 1995, when he bought it comp-ready but with a blown engine. “I’ve re-done everything. About the only thing the same now is the interior.”

BIG BALLS

It takes hefty testicles to pilot a hot rod like this down the quarter, just ask its owner, Craig Hemings. “Oh, yeah! It’s a scary ride but lots of fun,” he smiles. The car breezed through scrutineering, although the open nature of the car’s cockpit means that arm restraints are mandatory. The ‘27 Model T roadster runs 12sec quarters thank to a 351 Clevo, topped with a retro-cool 3/71 blower. Craig reckons the T needs a set of slicks and wheeliebars to bring out its best on the track. A larger 6/71 blower is currently being prepared for the little rod by burnout legend Mark Dall’acqua.

MAXIMUM IMPACT

Shane Narayan was surprisingly candid about his choice of ride for the Supernats, this Fanta-orange Monaro complete with imported 20in Dayton gold-spoked rims. “I’ve had enough of Jap shit!” he smiled. Shane has been participating in Auto Salon-type shows for a while with a very wild MR2. He also has an RX-7 and a WRX in his garage but after 10 years playing with Japanese marques, he’s focusing on the Monaro his dad bought new in 1974. “The Jap show scene has stagnated,” reckons Shane. “All my mates and I are turning back to old stuff like these and Toranas, and fitting late-model stuff to them.

“Dad thinks it’s a bit noisy now!” Shane says, referring to the Munro’s 350/350 engine and trans combo. “After Summernats, I’m planning to rebuild the car with all late-model running gear. I’m keen to install a complete VY interior and run air-con and power steering. I’ll probably get the engine blown and fit 22s under the rear.”

NEW TREADS

Greg Russell is a bit camera shy but his ’37 Ford is far from modest. Since being featured in SM September 2001 (and being short-listed for SMOTY) the beautifully-constructed, quarter-million dollar rod has racked up more than 3000 clicks. “I’d planned to change the wheels to something more contemporary,” said Greg, pointing out his new 20×12 rears. Tyres? “They’re just about the biggest Pirelli make,” he continued. “Bob Roman (of Roman AutoTek) had to ring up the factory and order them in Italian.”

As his odometer attests, Greg likes a Sunday drive. “I read about this show in Saturday’s paper, so I thought I’d wander out,” said Greg. “I didn’t have an entry but the gate staff called the promoter who gave me a VIP pass and told me to have a great day.” Greg also strolled away with the trophy for Victor Bray’s choice!

KID CRUISER

Phil Armitage’s ’62 Chev Bel Air was easy to spot at Supernats – it was the big blown beast that did countless laps of the grounds, crammed to the gunnels with appreciative kids! You might remember Phil’s Tiger-coloured, big-block HJ Holden sedan from its feature in Street Machine a couple of years ago, but it’s since been replaced by the Chev.

The blown 502-cube rat motor and trans from the HJ were a natural for the Bel Air, but not before Phil fitted a set of HSV-spec twin-piston vented front discs and Commodore collapsible steering to keep the engineering and rego boys happy.

Besides entertaining the kids, Phil performed some beaut skids, as you’ll see over the page.

SUPERNATS GRAND CHAMPIONS 2003

Show ’n’ Shine

1. As the winners of the inaugural Meguiar’s Showcar Superstars streeter award, it was no surprise to see the Grima family’s ’56 Chev taking out the overall Supernats Show’n’shine gong, along with Top Sedan, Top Engine Bay and Top Undercarriage.

Show ’n ’ Go

Mark Hayes’s LC Torana capitalised on his Summernats 2003 Tuff Street win by blitzing the Supernats Show’n’go class. And why not? The 454-powered Torry looked as flawless as ever, ran an 8.33sec pass and won Top Wheelstand!

Quickest ET

Joe Signorelli not only had the fastest rotor of the meet, but also the fastest car overall, beating Daniel Callaghan’s outlaw Torana by almost three 10ths to run a 7.63. The Rotormaster RX7 runs a methanol-sucking twin turbo 20B through a G-Force clutchless transmission.

Burnout

Matt Abood won the Grand Champion Burnout for the second year in a row in his grunty green 1957 Chevrolet, complete with very appropriate FRY454 plates. Matt took home not only the Street Machine-sponsored trophy but also a cool $3500 in cash.

HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Brett Thomas smokes up a storm in his blown, 400-cube XY.

2. Lucky Belleri had his brand new Top Doorslammer on display.

3. Ben Gatt’s Lincoln won Best Rod and Judge’s Choice.

4. Frank Pudarich’s gleaming LH scored Street Machine’s Choice.

5. Clint George’s mighty UC Torana came runner up in the Show’n’Go category. Far right: Michael Perry’s CRAZYE Torana has been reborn from the ashes, running a half-pass 8.57@129mph.

6. Russel Richardson’s Pacer was the quickest six of the event, running a 12.4.

7. Daniel Callaghan’s CAL 400 was the quickest V8 of the meet, running a best of 7.8sec.