Hump day for Street Machine Drag Challenge presented by VPW Australia had us in South Australia at Dragway at The Bend, greeted with beautiful clear skies and plenty of toughies ready to send it down the quarter.

The attrition rate for Drag Challenge is beginning to climb, and the road from Portland to Tailem Bend was unforgiving and claimed several big names.

Paul Wood in the fatty LJ-fronted Torana didn’t make it, lunching a camshaft en route. Anthony Fortunato also hit issues in the KING LC Torana when the RB26 head gave in and put him out. The K24-powered Celica of Daniel Smith also pulled out before making a pass at The Bend, pulling out of what was second place overall.

First cab off the rank in the day’s running was Barry Hall in the twin turbo VH Commodore, reeling off a 7.94. He came out once the sun had set and churned out a 7.23, putting him back in contention.

Brandon Zito continued his fine form from the previous day, clocking a 7.24 in his one and done pass for the day. As such, he maintains his overall lead and in SpeedPro Radial Blown, ahead of Nathan Rainbird in his VK Commodore wagon.

There was plenty of PBs throughout the entire field, James Mackie, Matt ‘Muffdog’ Murphy, Donnie Zurcas, George Hatzi, Kelvin Mann and a whole host more.

One car that did come off second best from the day’s racing was Jude Drew’s VR Commodore. What appeared to be water got on the car’s tyres mid run, causing Drew to lose control and tag the passenger rear of the car on the wall. He was alright, but the Commodore was parked up with extensive panel damage.

We’re back on for racing today at Davison Ford Sunset Strip Mildura for some twilight eighth-mile action! Tickets at the gate or cheapest at dragchallenge.com.au