A Sick Week Setback Won’t Deter This Dakota Pick-Up From Building Back For Its Next Drag-and-Drive
After a successful first outing (or sometimes more), there are times where cars and combinations that previously proven reliable develop issues.
And for a drag-and-drive competitor, it can be frustrating, not knowing if all the good bits from before are able to be worked back together and put the bad vibes in the rear-view mirror.
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For Paul McCullough, he completed the 2023 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive with the 5.9 Magnum engine sporting a 72-millimeter turbo for added fun.
He started in the 17-second range, but recovered nicely with a 12.20 best for a 13.44 average in the Stick Shift class.
To attend his second Sick Week event, Paul decided to give the Dakota pick-up a bit more spice. So, he put together a stock block and stock crankshaft 5.7-liter-based HEMI with upgraded connecting rods and pistons, and a camshaft with a little more lope. A Holley Terminator X controls the fire, and the turbocharger got an update to a billet 80-millimeter unit.
The transmission got upgraded to a T-56 6-speed unit with a McLeod clutch, and since Paul planned for 9-second blast, an 8.50 certified roll cage by Fusion Fab was added to the mix.
With the all-new set-up in place, Paul returned to Sick Week this year, and found “nothing but trouble. We had to replace head gaskets on testing day, and then on day one we lost an injector,” said Paul. “Day two at Bradenton the clutch decided it didn’t want to do clutch things anymore, and we unfortunately had to drop out.”
Despite the deflating finish, Paul is heads up and already planning the comeback. “For the rest of 2024, my biggest plan is to get ready for Sick Week 2025,” he said. “Currently building the HEMI for the new set up, and I hope to have it dropped in in the next few weeks.”
Part of the reason Paul is planning a return to Sick Week is the overall experience. “The community is amazing,” he admitted. “I love just being out in the truck with friends and not worrying about anything but making it to the next track. To me it’s just a great way to get away from the day-to-day grind.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Chris Story Foto, 1320 Video, Paul McCullough and Brian Miller; illustration courtesy of Garrett Olsen.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com