The 2024 running of the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge is right around the corner, where plenty of keen drivers will Calder Park on April 20 to prove their merits. It’s an event that puts cars and owners to the test with autocross, drag racing, go-to-whoa and plenty more, all grouped into one day of racing action.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the familiar faces entered, with organisers confirming over 70 cars will compete. Entries are still open, but close at 6pm on April 16 or when entries hit the cap of 80. So if you want a shot in the comp, it’s best to get entered now! There’ll also be a show and shine hosted by the Street Machine crew, a trader alley, food trucks and live music from DJ Madeleine, so it’ll be a wicked day out.

Heath van der Waerden – Torana hatchback

Heath’s glorious hatch adorned the cover of our September 2023 issue, and he’s done even more development of the car since then. With an LPG-sucking, 383ci Holden V8, five speeds and plenty of suspension trickery, the hatch is a beauty to watch carve up corners.

James Mackie – XY Falcon

James Mackie’s XY has done every Optima challenge since its arrival in Australia, driving his LS-swapped XY Falcon drifter. He’ll be rocking a new look for this one – a fresh blue with what’re definitely pink stripes look – and is keen to retain his title in the Vintage class.

Scott Taylor – Toyota Lexcen

Carnage chieftain Scotty Taylor is subbing in our sleeper 1UZ V8 turbo Toyota Lexcen wagon to replace Turbo Taxi, which is still without an engine. Mind you, with over 700hp to the hubs and a fresh brake upgrade, the Lexcen is by no means a downgrade in quality.

John Ricca – Lamborghini Huracan Performante

There’ll be a number of exotic supercars lining up for a crack, including John Ricca’s twin-turbo Huracan. Rocking a full Precision Racing twin-turbo set-up, these things have eight-second potential out of the box.

Adrian Portelli – CAR TBC

Mr Lamborghini himself, Adrian Portelli of LMCT+ is also throwing his hat in the ring. He announced his entry with a photo of him and a McLaren P1, but we’re not sure what exactly what car he’ll rock up with on the day.

Adrian has a stack of exotic metal to choose from as you can see in Noah Thorley’s Winton track day coverage here, so whatever he brings, it is going to be something to see!

Hackshop Garage – NF Fairlane & HQ Holden

Michael and Nathan of the Hackshop Garage Youtube channel will be duking it out: Nathan in his turbo SOHC Fairlane, and Michael in his 253 HQ. They’ll also have a merch stand in the trader alley, so if you’re a fan of the boys then make sure you get down to Calder and say g’day!

Andrew Hawkins – Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R

Motive Video’s Andrew Hawkins is bringing his R32 GT-R down from Sydney to show up the supercar boys. Hawkins has recently completed a big overhaul of the eight-second, turbo-RB machine, so it’ll offer a hell of a fight against the top dogs.

Adam Rogash – Holden Commodore VF SS

Street Machine Drag Challenge 2023 Weekend winner and MPW Performance & Race Fab owner Adam Rogash is confirmed, swapping out his regular ALLSHOW VK and STRIPSHOW Capri drag car for Luke Furse’s turbo-LS VF Commodore.

Levi Krevatin – Porsche 911 SC

Street Machine Summernats 35 Grand Champion Levi Krevatin’s stunning Porsche 911 SC was built for events just like this, so we’re pumped he’s coming down to tackle the event.

Mercury Lien – Nissan 350Z

Social media sensation, cosplayer and drifter Mercury Lien will be throwing her drift-prepared Nissan 350Z around in the Japanese Tuner class. 

Mustang Motorsports – Mustang RTR Spec 3 & GT500

James Johnson and Craig Dean from Mustang Motorsports are champing at the bit to hit Calder, bringing both RTR Spec 3 and GT500 Mustangs from their stable to shake up the Modern class.

Ying Bot – Toyota GR Yaris

If you’re a lover of nugget racing, odds are you’ll have heard of Ying. Best known as the co-creator of Nugget Nationals, Ying recently upsized her lovable nugget Yaris to the spicy, modern GR version. A track day regular, Ying’s a talented steerer, so watch out for this little Yaris to be punching well above its weight.

Drift Cadet – Toyota GT86

Peter Pham from Drift Cadet will be piloting a Toyota GT86 in the Japanese Tuner class, and the Drift Cadet crew will have a merch stand for those craving some JDM-themed goodies.

Street Machine VIP Park-Up

As well as a few of our staff racing on the day, we at Street Machine are also running the VIP Park-Up for those wanting to show their car on the day, which you can enter for just $30! It’s open to all makes and models, and with your entry you’ll get a spectator ticket, premium front-of-house parking. We’ll also be choosing 10 of our favourite cars from the Park-Up, which will be awarded free entry to the Real Street display at Meguiar’s MotorEx on May 4-5 for a day, and a SM goodies bag. You can enter the VIP Park-Up here.

Click here to see the full entry list of over 70 cars, and while you’re there, grab yourself some tickets to hang out with us on April 20!