Peter Pollock from Hamilton, Victoria is preparing to make his debut as a driver in this year’s Street Machine Drag Challenge in the ITF Hire 235 Aspirated class, stepping up from the passenger seat to take on one of the toughest events in Australian motorsport.

Street Machine Drag Challenge brings together more than 280 genuine street cars for five days of racing at five different drag strips.

After racing each day, competitors must drive hundreds of kilometres to the next track without car trailers, support vehicles or excuses, making it one of the most demanding tests of endurance, reliability and mateship in the country.

Peter, 37, first experienced Street Challenge Drag Challenge from the passenger seat back in 2018 and 2019 and never thought he would one day enter a car of his own.

“I was never really into drag racing, but I felt like I needed to change up my Valiant’s running gear and force myself to use the car more,” Peter said.

“As expected with cars, it quickly went from ‘let’s just swap motors and cruise it’ to ‘let’s drop a heap of money and race parts into it and do it properly’. So, I thought, why not enter my car? I’ve got a heap of mates doing Drag Challenge, so I’ll just tag along.”

That car is a 1972 Valiant Charger RT replica that Peter has owned since 2008, originally bought from Street Machine Drag Challenge veteran George Hatzi.

“About 18 months ago it was a tidy replica with a 265 six-pack and four-speed manual. It was a nice car, but I got bored and wanted a change,” Peter said.

“I found a 502 big block on Marketplace. It had been built but never fired, so I took a gamble. Turns out not a cent was spared on the parts, so that was a win.”

From there, the Charger underwent a complete transformation with a nine-inch diff, four-link suspension, Viking coilovers, a Powerglide with transbrake and a Castlemaine Rod Shop front end.

“The car’s been tubbed to the rails, with custom chassis connectors and plating added to the original rails. I’ve tried to keep the exterior and interior as stock as possible, aside from the big hole in the bonnet,” Peter said.

For his first time behind the wheel, Peter has set himself simple but ambitious goals. “What I want out of Drag Challenge is a good time with my mates, using something I’ve built to its capabilities,” Peter said.

“No doubt I’ll get hooked and be back next year with more horsepower. My goal is the same as everyone else – to finish the event. I’d also like to run a 10.90.”

Having already seen the event from the passenger seat, Peter knows just how much of a test it will be.

“It doesn’t matter how much or how little money you’ve put into your car, or how much testing you’ve done, something can always fail,” Peter said.

“You might have to drive through the night or even sleep on the side of the road just to make the next track. By the end of the week you’re tired, your passengers are tired, and the car is tired. But it’s the hype that keeps you going, and you’ll be talking about it for the next six months.”

Peter also encourages locals to come out and see what makes the event so special. “For people who don’t know much about it, I just say that if you’re into cars, you’ll find some of the fastest street cars in Australia, in all sorts of styles and combinations,” Peter said.

“They’re being used exactly as intended, with drivers pushing them hard for their own enjoyment. Nothing comes home from Drag Challenge without scars.”

The 10th annual Street Machine Drag Challenge runs from Wednesday 29 October to Sunday 2 November across South Australia and Victoria.

More than 280 street-registered cars will race at a different drag strip each day before driving hundreds of kilometres to the next under their own power. No car trailers, no support and no excuses.

Spectators are welcome at every stop, with wall-to-wall racing, tyre smoke and real street car action.

Visit dragchallenge.com.au for tickets and more information.