Tom Price, WA local Matt Carey is preparing to make the huge trip across the country to compete in this year’s Street Machine Drag Challenge, chasing a PB in the HP Tuners / VCM Performance Dial-Your-Own class.

Street Machine Drag Challenge brings together more than 280 street-registered cars for five days of racing at different drag strips across South Australia and Victoria. After each day’s racing, competitors must then drive hundreds of kilometres to the next track without support crews or car trailers. It is one of the most demanding and unique motorsport events in the country.

Matt, 45, has been an entrant several times before and says there is something about the event that keeps pulling him back.

“I’ve competed in four or five previous events. Come day five I’m usually absolutely flogged and questioning why I keep coming back, but Drag Challenge is addictive,” Matt said.

“It’s one big family, cruising and racing with cool cars and great people, BBQs and a few drinks, and meeting new people daily. It’s a five-day, 24-hour rollercoaster – that’s what brings people back.”

Matt’s story is one of resilience as well as racing.

In 2007 he suffered a dirt bike accident that left him permanently wheelchair-bound, but it hasn’t stopped him from chasing his passion for cars and competition.

He hails from Tom Price, more than 1500 kilometres north of Perth, so it is never an easy task to get his black beast all the way across the country to Victoria for Street Machine Drag Challenge.

“We bring along a VZ L98 ute, which we’ve run at all the previous events we’ve entered. It has a built 6L with a 2300 Magnuson blower to help push it along, coupled with a 4L80E four-speed transbraked transmission, 3.9 Harrop diff, and aftermarket driveshafts,” Matt said.

“The package has been fairly reliable for a mid-10-second car. For this year, we’ve changed the front and rear suspension, some fine-tuning still to do, but hopefully it will add more consistency.”

The Holden is also fitted with specialised controls that allow Matt to compete.

“The car is also fitted with hand controls for my disability, along with power steering and, at times, the much-needed AC!”

He has finished as high as third in the Dial Your Own class and is determined to push harder this year.

“Finishing in the top five in previous years, and third last year in DYO, I’m eager to come back and do my best to better that,” Matt said.

“The suspension setup is relatively new, and we’ve got a lot to learn and fine-tune. Let’s see what DC25 can bring!”

For Matt, the true challenge lies in the unknowns that can unfold across the five days.

“It’s five unknown days, potentially full of blood, sweat, and tears but always a load of laughs. It might be smooth sailing, or it might be rough seas over the week,” Matt said.

“You could end up helping someone else in one of the many situations that crop up. Until you’re there, you just don’t know what you’re up against. It’s one big rollercoaster!”

He says there is nothing quite like Street Machine Drag Challenge for fans and encourages people to come along and see it first-hand.

“Competitors come from all corners of the country and even from overseas. Racing is one aspect, but there’s so much more to see including the huge variety of makes and models, people’s set-ups and how they conquer the week,” Matt said.

“You never know what you’ll see in the pits or along the journey, from bizarre to unbelievable repairs, all just to get to the end. Every racer and crew member is more than happy to say g’day and show you what they’ve brought.”

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.