STREET Machine Summernats 31 was the first time we’ve seen Peter Grmusa’s XR Falcon ATRISK since it underwent a revamp earlier in the year. Thankfully Pete has stuck with the monster 700ci blown big-block, but he has now moved to a much stronger Castlemaine Rod Shop custom independent front suspension with power steering. The whole car has been repainted in a hot yellow too.

Having done very little skidding in 2017 with the XR, Pete didn’t have a Burnout Masters ticket but being one of the elite car and driver combos on the scene he was invited to take part in the Last Chance Wildcard Shootout on the Thursday of Summernats. Unfortunately things didn’t quite go to plan. Now we’ve seen the ATRISK Falcon do funny things out on the burnout pad before, but this is up there with one of the weirdest.

During the tip in the rear passenger door came open! With Pete hell bent on finishing the skid, he didn’t bother stopping to close it again, he just finished the burnout and drove off the pad with the back door still wide open.

Pete’s misfortune continued into the burnout championship where he gave the wall a solid nudge and bent his freshly painted front end. It really wasn’t Pete’s year, but we know he’ll be back at it bigger and better in no time.