A Dodge Challenger Hellcat That’s Been Street and Track Proven Will Venture from Michigan to Florida to Compete in Its First Drag-and-Drive at Sick Week
The streets of Woodward Avenue have seen lots of action, both in the first muscle car era and modern muscle car times.
Sick the Mag is giving away a ‘71 Chevy dually pick-up, plus a Harley bike AND $5000 CASH! Want more ways to win? We’ve got special bundles to save you money and increase your entry counts! Click here for details!
Sick the Mag is giving away a ‘71 Chevy dually pick-up, plus a Harley bike AND $5000 CASH! Want more ways to win? We’ve got special bundles to save you money and increase your entry counts! Click here for details!
“For the first few years of my Hellcat life, it was my daily driver and I absolutely love driving the car,” said Brett. “I actually don’t even own a trailer. I drive my car to and from the track, and I somehow manage to always make it home at the end of the day.”
Hellcat models in stock form have shown to run in the 10-second range by many owners, but Brett has advanced to the level of hunting for 8-second passes.
After making some changes and upgrades, the car was readied last August for Roadkill Nights 2023. “Unfortunately, I developed some blower bearing noise,” said Brett, putting him into rebuild mode for a possible Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive appearance in 2024.
His new set-up includes a stock block-based 6.2-liter Hellcat motor, with upgraded CP Carrillo connecting rods and Ross pistons increasing compression to 11.5:1. His previous Whipple supercharger, a Gen 5 3-liter that was returned for repairs, will now instead be replaced by a new Whipple Gen 6 3.8-liter supercharger.
To feed the increased fueling needs, a return style Fore triple pump replaced the stock one, and Curt Dusterhoff will handle the tuning needs. Since Brett plans regular trips into the 8-second zone now, JP Race Cars installed a full roll cage and parachute.
“I think personally my biggest challenge at Sick Week will be that I recently just built this motor and I have not had it to the track yet,” said Brett. “So it should make things interesting. Being from Michigan and the parts I’m waiting on do not show up till January 12th does not give me time to test much of anything, but I do hope to average an 8-second pass all week.”
Brett will be joined by friend Jeff Schreindl as his co-pilot, and another friend will be there participating as well. “My close friend Burt Smith will also be with us participating,” said Brett, as Burt will also stage up his Chevelle in the 275 Street Race class for some “friendly competition.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Brett Smith.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com