|
The great
thing about the sport of Drag Racing is that there are plenty of
classes to choose from to suit both the type of racing you enjoy,
and the budget you can afford to spend.
Colin
Griffin has been around the sport of Drag Racing for over 15 years,
and has really found his niche in the highly competitive class of
SuperGas. Heads up racing (that means no handicap) at times well
into the nine second zone has proven popular, and Colin decided
that a Big Block powered light weight 1984 Toyota Celica with a
super strong tube chassis would be his weapon of choice. And unlike
many racer's, Colin chose a big block Ford engine for
motivation.
Colin has
alway's been of the Ford persuasion, having previously raced a big
block Fairlane, and then a similarly powered Mk11 Cortina, before
retiring to his garage for 18 months while he built his current
creation. Colin's background as a fitter and turner helps to
explain the beautiful craftsmanship that has gone into creating
this slick machine.
As
testimony to Colins skills, the High Energy Oil Pans sponsored
Celica has taken Colin all the way to the winners circle, winning
SuperGas at the 1998 Nationals and going on to become the
Divisional Champion that year.
Many may
not recognise the car this year thanks to its mind blowing new
paint scheme that was both designed and applied by George at
Nostalgia Panels in Thomastown. You have to see this paint scheme
up close to appreciate the amount of work George and Colin have put
in to create a truly eye popping result.
But don't
think that the High Energy Celica's "make over" is only
skin deep. Late last year Colin shelled out for a pair of the
latest Blue Thunder Big Port Aluminium cylinder heads to wake up
what had been a comparatively mild engine. Big 2.25" diameter
intake valves and 1.8" diameter exhaust valves mean that this
engine is now packing some serious horsepower.
And a top
line race engine would not be complete without one of the sponsor's
top of the line Pro Ultimate High Energy Racing Oil Pans. Colin
tells me that that the oil pan is designed to release an extra 15
-30hp just be reducing the power robbing drag that oil splash back
can create.
Colin is
ably assisted by a loyal crew consisting of Andrew Fox, Brian
Gilbert, Brendan Morris and Norm Colin. Oh, we had better not
forget the equally loyal wife Anne without whose permission this
all could not have been possible.
Other
specs:
Colin
Griffin built chassis, 4 link rear, light weight strut front
end
Engine:
485 ci,
Trans: R.
& P. Built racing Powerglide fitted with Hipster rans.
Brake
Convertor:
TCI
Wheels:
Bob Glidden Pro Stars, 15" x 3", 15" x
14"
| 