HUMP day of Hot Rod Drag Week 2019 saw the Aussies take on the sweltering conditions Atco Dragway, New Jersey. While most of our Aussie compatriots had to deal with a number of issues from Day Two’s racing and road leg, all teams made it to the startline for Day Three at Atco, with some solid results.

Ben Paganoni’s Barra-powered Mustang was giving the boys headaches during Day Two, with what turned out to be a dud MAP sensor. The team recovered from that to be first in the lanes once again, with Ben running a 9.07@155mph before hitting the road. “It was almost looking like we’d be on the trailer yesterday, so I’m just glad we fixed it and we’re back again,” said Ben.

| Watch next: Aussies at Drag Week Day One – Video

Ben Neal’s Cresta continued its strong low-nine-second form, with a 9.03@149mph. “I was happy with the pass until I found out the boys didn’t take the air filter out,” he joked. “There’s more in it, but I’d rather bank this one than break the car chasing down a tenth or two.”

Brenton Gault’s ’55 Chev ran a 10.57@126mph, keeping him true to his goal of averaging 10.5s for the week.

Corty Haig ran the Malibu wagon’s only pass for the day, with heat and a loosening flexplate hindering any chance of co-driver Robby Abbott getting in the car. The boys navigated US lingo to organise a ‘garage lift’ (known in the civilised world as a hoist) to fix the flexplate issue in preparation for Day Four.

| Watch next: Aussies at Drag Week Day Two – Video

Corty’s old man Harry’s campaign has had a vintage up-and-down trajectory typical of Drag Week. A dud fuel pump, wiring dramas and no accommodation meant it took them nine hours to do 160 miles. But Harry’s fortunes turned just a few hours later, with the car PB-ing to the tune of an 8.65@157mph.

Make sure you keep your eyes glued to the Street Machine website and socials for more Drag Week 2019 updates and stories.