Street Machine Drag Challenge is Australia’s biggest and best drag & drive event and each year, it throws up a bunch of entrants who are just plain cool. Here are bunch of cars that have commanded our attention so far – some brand new builds and a couple of old hands.

Aaron James’s Chrysler Centura

While this is Aaron James’s fourth Street Machine Drag Challenge, it’s his first in this small-bodied ’77 Centura. “I had a VG Valiant before, but it was too heavy, so we took the VG driveline and put it in this car,” he explained. “It’s the same 528ci big-block Chrysler, with a 727 and Strange nine-inch. It’s a father-and-son build – my car with Dad’s engine.”

Coming into Drag Challenge, the Centura had only been driven around 10 kays with its new driveline, so the DC test-and-tune day was Aaron’s first pass in the car. “We do have a small carby issue, as it’s a new set-up, so there can be gremlins.”

Aaron’s gameplan for DC 2025 is to be laying down eights by week’s end, running in the ITF Hire 235 Aspirated class, and he managed a best of 9.30@145mph by the end of Day One.

Heath van der Waerden’s LX/UC Torana

We found Heath van der Waerden and Brett Abraham unloading the race rubber to get Heath’s 2024 SMOTY-winning Torana hatch ready for Day One’s racing – a positive sign after Heath’s troubles the past couple of days, when the Torry refused to fire.

“It started!” a relieved Heath beamed. “Last night I ran the gas pressure down, then checked it on the laptop this morning. I think I’m okay from here on if I keep doing that.”

The circuit-spec Torana managed to stay straight as Heath rowed through the gears to lay down his first quarter-mile passes, handing in an impressive 11.93@120mph by day’s end in the Unrivaled Engineering Stick-Shift class.

John Kerr’s Mercury Comet

The ’64 Mercury Comet of John Kerr is a Drag Challenge stalwart. It’s always been a well-sorted machine, but like all well-used race cars, trouble eventually strikes.

“I bent the valves at the Hardass 1000,” John said. “Once I rebuilt the 346, I put the engine on a dyno to see if I could get more horsepower, but I couldn’t. It must be luck that I’d set it up right.”

Running in the Enthusiast Motor Insurance Outlaw Aspirated class, the Comet managed a 10.86@125mph by the end of Day One. “I think the gearbox is getting tired,” John mused. “A 10.2 is my PB, but now it runs slower. I’m not looking to be competitive, but you never know – some of the other cars in the class may not make it to Day Five.”

Tim Browne’s Ford Mustang

Powerplus Racing Fuels Outlaw Blown contender Tim Browne has campaigned his 2016 Mustang at quite a few Drag Challenges now, and Day One of DC 2025 saw the car dip into the nines, with a new PB of 9.80@137mph. Tim is keen for 9.5s by the end of the week.

After that, the ’Stang will be put on the market to make way for Tim’s long-term Model A tudor build, powered by a 427ci LS. The hot rod is being created specifically for Drag Challenge, and we can’t wait to see his fresh steed at next year’s DC.

Anthony Fortunato’s LC Torana

Having previously taken on Drag Challenge with a 202ci Holden six in his LC Torana’s engine bay, Anthony Fortunato has levelled up for DC 2025. While the GTR still packs a six-pot to run in the Speed Pro Six-Cylinder class, it’s now a 1050hp beast thanks to a turbocharged Nissan RB30 mill sporting an RB26 head. A Powerglide and nine-inch get that power to the ground, and further race-focused additions include chassis strengthening, a rollcage, and a parachute.

During the DC test-and-tune day, Anthony had a heart-stopping moment when the Torry got out of shape and crossed lanes, before slowing towards the deep end and giving the wall a little tap.

A coolant leak getting under the tyres was deemed to be the cause, but Anthony and crew fixed the damage, addressed the coolant issue and de-tuned the engine a tad in an effort to make a clean lick. The Torry managed a 9.55@142mph best on Day One.

Ollie Kent’s XE Fairmont

With Street Machine Drag Challenge now a decade old, we’re starting to see some young guns stepping into their parents’ race-ready rides. Ollie Kent is one such newcomer, the 17-year-old now in the hot-seat of his dad Paul’s XE Fairmont, battling it out in the PSR 9.5 Radial class.

Packing a 427ci Clevo with a 150-250 shot of nitrous, the XE also sports a C10 auto, shortened nine-inch and 275 radials.

We caught up with the Kent crew after the XE was towed back to the pits after a run. “We reckon the Haltech killed the battery,” Ollie explained. “I stopped at the top end and couldn’t fire it back up. We’re tinkering with it now, and then I’m looking to give it another hit. It just ran a 10.4, but this engine has done 9.6.”

By day’s end, Ollie handed in a very creditable 9.79@137mph timeslip.

Hayley Vella’s Ford Capri

As the daughter of Drag Challenge Radial Aspirated king Alon Vella, 17-year-old Hayley Vella has a hard act to follow, but Dad’s given her the best possible start to her first DC campaign by putting her behind the wheel of his old Capri.

The all-conquering green machine has been given a slightly calmer set-up for Hayley’s debut, with a 434ci small-block Ford in the engine bay and a C4 and nine-inch rounding out the driveline.

Hayley was stoked to pump out a 9.03@146mph to sit atop the Kemppi Australia Radial Aspirated class leaderboard by the end of Day One. As she’s still on her red Ps, one of Al’s mates is on driving duties for the Capri’s road legs.

Daniel Rankin’s Chevy II Nova

A Chevy II Nova Super Sport is a rare bird on Aussie soil, but Daniel Rankin is the proud owner of this fine example, running in the ITF Hire 235 Aspirated class. Powering the coupe is a Dart-blocked 409ci Chev topped with an 850 Holley, with a ’Glide and 10-bolt diff behind it.

Day One of DC 2025 was Daniel’s first-ever crack at drag racing. “I found it exhilarating! I wanted to head back out and have another go,” he enthused. “I ran a 12.06 today, but I’m trying for 11s.”

Daniel’s son Jack and brother Kane are along for the ride for his first DC adventure.