Aussie No Prep Drag Torana Hits PRI

This December, in Indianapolis, Luke Kestle, owner of Motor Fab, will be teaming up with Jesse Adams of Redwood Rally for a joint stand at PRI. The Performance Racing Industry trade show is one of the world's largest gatherings of motorsports professionals, and Luke will be showing the Americans just what the Aussies are capable of.

Luke has owned his 1972 Holden LJ Torana for about five years. Originally, Luke had every intention to sell the coupe before realising this was the perfect body for his small tire no-prep drag car build. Taking a closer look inside this tiny shell of a car reveals an insane roll cage, making it obvious the pass times Luke might be chasing. When asked about the exact number, Luke had this to say with a smirk. "That's a secret, but just in case the American racers are reading this, it's not that fast. They'll have to find out when they are at the start line."

This being a purpose-built steel roof and quarter drag car with a fibreglass front and carbon fibre tubs and the majority of the floor, keeping it light where needed is important. With the Twin Turbo and small block Chevy combo being built by Robby at Abbott Racing, we can expect epic horsepower. Abbott Racing is known for producing some very quick track engines. The suspension setup is the first of its kind from Motor Fab themselves. They will be running their prototype four-link with an infinitely adjustable instant centre. Keeping some of the old school Torana stylings, the interior will be two-tone brown/beige, including the original dash with all the important componentry from Halltech.

Luke states that: "The best part about the Torana build is it’s fully funded, built, tuned, and driven by himself. It's rare these days to be able to do a whole build and drive the wheels off it as well."

The link between Luke and Jesse started at this year's Street Outlaws. Jesse Adams is the pit crew car chief for Disco Dean in Stinky Pinky alongside gun engine builder Robby Abbott. Luke was racing his slapped-together junkyard build HT Monaro 'Junk69’. You may remember seeing it wheels up grudge racing against Farmtruck in Brisbane at the start of the year. Now, all the way from Cali, Jesse is in our backyard, punching out a set of big carbon fibre wheel tubs in the Motor Fab weapon, putting in motion future works for Motor Fab in America.

This just shows that no matter where you race, from country to country, the spirit of the sport is why we all do it and makes us all a massive car community / family. Continuing the American and Australian alliance, Jesse has extended an invite.

"For any Aussie living here that wants to race at the Redwood Rally Drag & Drive event on Sept 26th to 30th later this year in California races for free." All you need to do is visit: Redwood Rally for more details.

With 6 weeks until this beast needs to be strapped down in the sea container, there is a lot of work still to be done, still needing a floor and firewall, not to mention body and paint. This might seem crazy, but that's the whole criteria of the build. Don't be fooled by the big tires under the rear for now; this will be a small-tyre race car. Once the dummy engine is out and the Abbott engine is in, this thing will haul arse.

We will catch back up with Luke and the gang in another four weeks to show just how much work can be achieved when you're against the clock. Stay tuned for this mind-blowing transformation.