Frank Saponaro’s twin-turbo big block 1969 Chevrolet Nova Wagon

Aussie hardware and tuning smarts assist a dominant performance at Hot Rod Drag Week 2018

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Photographers: Povi Pullinen


THE Aussie connection runs deep at Hot Rod Drag Week these days. Not only was there a bigger-than-ever influx of Aussie-based competitors this year, but American competitor Frank Saponaro relied on an Aussie Haltech ECU, and had an Australian tuner on the laptop in Dale Heiler from Castle Hill Performance.

Frank’s wild seven-second twin-turbo big-block Nova wagon was shed-built and features a trick duel fuel system for transitioning between methanol and pump fuel tune-ups for racing and the street respectively.

Competing in Super Street Big Block Power Adder, Frank broke the class record on the first hit on the first day of the event, and went on to beat his own record another two times during the week. It culminated in a class win and a trophy for quickest without a trailer – an awesome effort! The winning average time was 7.81-seconds at 185mph. Damn impressive in the conditions!

“We just felt out the playing field and went with it. We did good!” said Frank.

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