Written by Nigel,
Driver of Car 43 – 1971 Chrysler Dodge Challenger 426 – (Nicknamed “The Hemi From Hell”)
The second car I built to win a race was the 1971 Dodge Challenger 426(Hemi from Hell) which I entered in the 1994 Cannonball Run.
As you know the 1994 Cannonball Run had 4 deaths, and the race was never to be held again. This was the same as the foirst race I entered The 1979 Repco Trial.
This 1971 Dodge Challenger was specifically built to target the race and the win the prize money. The stated prize money was to be $250,000 when I entered, and that why we entered and then built the car. Ti my knowledge our car was the only car constructed and entered, to win the race.
George Sheppard was briefed to do the suspension and Binstead Engineering (Kevin Kent) from Southport built the motor, a brand new 2nd generation Chrysler Hemi just cast in USA. A lot of the equipment was supplied and chosen with associates of famous American NASCAR champion (190 plus wins) Richard Petty and was a full race motor from this era with modern parts such as titanium valves each etc, The car had in excess of 800 horse power and pure muscle.
I nominated Richard Petty’s race no 43 and received approval from the organisers, hence the plates on the Dodge. Peter McKay co drove with me in this car but it had some niggling problems which were not solved until Day 3 of the race. It was only beaten by one car, ill fated Ferrari F40 on day 2, and only by 1 km per hour. However my car was only running on 7 cylinders until day 3. Day 3 we were ready to take on that Ferrari F40 with 8 cylinders.
I had breakfast with event marshals Keith Pritchard and Tim Linklater and was flagged off with great expectations (now that all 8 cylinders firing) by Chief Minister of the NT Mr Marshall Perron. Less than 40 minutes later, Peter McKay and I arrived at the next checkpoint at what was basically a slow section to find the Ferrari F40 crashed into one of the officials vehicles, crushing and killing the two marshal’s and the Japanese drivers of the Ferrari F40, still in their seats, very obviously dead.
I have attach photos of the car, plate, competitors plaque etc and I have over 8 hours of private video footage as well. These plates were for only 118 competitors to my knowledge and believe can be used and attached throughout Australia, there is a car legally registered in Albany WA to the NT, don’t really know how this works?
Thanks Nigel, and look forward to received the 8 hours of your private footage
