Bobbie-Maree scored more than just a trophy when she debuted her turbo Barra-powered Datsun 120Y on the Northern Nats burnout pad – she also left with a ring on her finger! We caught up with the newcomer to talk about her first time on the pad.

First published in the July 2024 issue of Street Machine

How was your Northern Nats experience?

Better than expected! It was my first burnout in the car, so there was lots of pressure and nerves, but we did three skids over the event and won second place in the Six-Cylinder class.

It was a surprise, because I thought I was being judged in the ladies’ class; I didn’t realise I was being judged along with the guys.

Was it your first go at burnouts?

Yes. Skidding in the competition was our first run to see what tyre size worked best for the car and what fine-tuning was needed. It’s very light with a lot of power, and it can be a bit of a weapon on wheels to handle.

But once I was in the car and going, I didn’t want to stop; it’s such an adrenaline rush! You know where the corners of the pad are and can plan how you want the skid to look, but putting it into action is another thing. Having a level of control in an unpredictable situation is a great feeling.

How did you get into the skid scene?

I started with the help of my partner, Karl. He drag-races a blue VP, and I’d always be out at events supporting him. He suggested I pick up a hobby, and I chose burnouts. I was extremely nervous and had no driving experience whatsoever, but he helped build up my confidence. Once I got in a car, it came naturally.

You had another big moment on the pad, too – tell us about that.

Karl asked me to get out of the car once I’d finished my burnout on the Saturday, and I thought it was just for the crowd, but he came around the car and got on one knee and asked [me to marry him]. I was shaking from the adrenaline, and I was in so much shock that I couldn’t move. It was the best night of my life.

How did the Datto become your weapon of choice?

I wanted something small for the pad and a bit different. We saw it pop up for sale on Facebook Marketplace about 500km from where we live, so we put the kids in the car and hooked up the trailer. We paid $1000 for two 120Ys and three cars’ worth of parts. We took the first car home that night and went back for the second the next morning.

Run us through the car.

It’s a 1974 four-door. The build started under our house and quickly expanded to our workshop, Primary Mechanical Repairs, which Karl and I own and manage. We put a Ford greentop LPG Barra in it, and I decided I wanted a turbo on it, which is unconventional in a burnout car. We made some custom changes to the intake, fuelling and throttle control, and ran a Haltech system to manage it all.

We also had to make engine mounts and cut the firewall so it would all fit, and we put the radiator in the boot. It’s got a BorgWarner solid rear axle from a Commodore in it, so when we go away with Karl’s Commodore, the rims are all the same. Northern Nats got brought forward by two months, so there was a lot to get done. We were running the engine in on the dyno while the car had no doors, paint, interior or bonnet.

Are you handy on the tools yourself?

I’m mostly in the office, but I was as hands-on as I could be. I learnt how to weld and repair rust. I stripped the engine down and assisted in installing all the performance upgrades we added to the Barra.

Karl and the boys in the workshop gave me a lot of direction. I spent a lot of late nights stripping paint and learning how to bog. I feel like I know the car inside out, right down to the solder.

Do you own any other cars?

I’ve got a 1995 Supra. It’s my dream car; I’ve always loved imports. My goal is to build the Supra for the drags over the next few years. I’m looking forward to working on that as well. It’s such an accomplishment to build an engine, tune it, and run it.

Any burnout events on the horizon?

We’ll be heading to NQ Burnouts and Tropical Meltdown up in Cairns, and we’re going to take both our cars to Powercruise at Queensland Raceway in September. I’m keen to get out and show people that even without top-tier components, a big budget or heaps of experience, you can still get out there and have a go.

Girls — wanna be famous? Become an Iron Maiden! Email car details, pics (2MB+) and contact deets to [email protected]. You and your ride could appear in the mag!