By Kat Wadley

On the eve of Street Machine’s 10th drag challenge, Albury Wodonga & Districts Car Club (AWDCC) will be hosting a Test & Tune day at Wilby Motorsport Park this Saturday, 18 October for DC entrants, no prep racers and anyone lucky enough to jump on and snag an entry.

With NPRA’s no prep organiser and street outlaw drag racing legend Johnny Habib bringing out his Nitros fed big block V8 Torana, things are definitely going to be exciting. Especially if AWDCC’s very own “Wilby Wizard” Mick Brody has anything to do with it.

Not only is he a phenomenally skilled local racer and engine builder, his normally naturally aspirated Gemini Coupe will be turning on the N2O.

So it and his now 355 Holden powered Torana “Junk” are set to be two of the angriest cars, taring up the Wilby 1/8th mile.

Pits open at 8am for racers and gates open at 9am for spectators - adult entry is $10 and children are free.

It’s sure be a thrilling experience for spectators and racers alike.

All other details and event entry can be found on the Wilby Motorsport Park Facebook and the AWDCC website.

Wilby is now also able to do online entries and EFTPOS payment for spectators on the day (all though pre-entry for racing is advised with limited spots).

Ultimat8 Sound & Vision has kindly set up Wilby’s own Wifi and there is public access to the Wilby network, for a small cost.

Congratulations to all the September Wilby drags winners.

Wangaratta local and street machine featured Jayden Grimshaw and his HQ Holden Twin turbo 427 dart LS Ute, “NOHQPE” will be taking on their first drag challenge in the Power Plus racing fuels outlaws blown class.

Grimshaw said he "is hoping he just gets through day one".

Although Jayden has racing experience, his Ute “NOHQPE” is relatively untested.

With Heathcote Park closing, it has only been tested at Wilby and on the dyno.

Making an impressive 1404rwhp, it will be anything but slow and should run 8s over the 1/4.

“We're pumped to have Jayden's HQ at Drag Challenge, NOHQPE was one of our favourites at Street Machine Summernats this year, where it won Top Ute in the street judging," Simon Telford Street Machine editor said.

"It reminds us of Ron Barclay's iconic ute that won Street Machine of the Year in 1990, but a whole lot tougher.

"Drag Challenge will be a great test for both Jayden and his ute, with racing over five days at different tracks across South Australia and Victoria.

"The car will have to be reliable to cover over 1400km of country driving, then take on some of Australia's toughest street cars at the track.

"Anyone who can build a custom car to the standard Jayden has and then complete an event like Drag Challenge has really achieved something big.

"It is one thing to build a nice car, then only take it out for coffee on the weekend.

"An event like Drag Challenge is a big test and a bucket list item for many in our community.”

The 10th annual drag-drive event is held over five days, with over 280 entrants from all over Australia vying to be crowned as the fastest “street legal car” in their class.

DC entrants must race and travel fully unassisted between drag strips over 1400km, on back to back days.

Their crew and supplies travel with them in the car; on their purpose built trailer or roof racks.

Day one commences at 'Drag way at the Bend', on the 29 October, following on to South Coast Raceway in Portland, Mildura Sunset Strip and then back, to Drag way at the Bend in South Australia.

If you are interested in seeing more of Jayden’s HQ or Drag Challenge, check out the official DC website and Street Machine’s Facebook or website.

Hope to see you all out at Wilby - you might even see this writer and photographer 'Auto Chick' out for a pass or five.