Accepting the Challenge(r) of Sick Summer with a Hopped-Up Hellcat
A drag-and-drive can attract a wide range of participants, and levels of racing experience. Some make the jump into a drag-and-drive as their first big racing experience, while others might have several years (or even decades) of experience and want a new challenge.
For John Mccuddin, Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes marks his first drag-and-drive event, but he’ll bring over three decades of racing experience to the week-long event.
John’s racing experience has shown him that times aren’t slowing down. And although John has a couple other vehicles in his fleet, he chose the Hellcat Challenger for a specific reason.
“I’m just testing the waters,” John said of participating in Sick Summer. “ I want to do drag-and-drive events because the cost to be fast in my area is getting too high. But I still want to compete against others with the same affliction as me.”
The Challenger John bought new now sports modified exhaust and a pulley, providing slightly quicker times but still employing all the creature comforts so John and his son can enjoy the week. “It runs very well for a big girl,” John admitted.
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John’s racing affliction started with a 1990 Ford Mustang he bought new, and that very car has now morphed into an 8-second street-legal hot rod. If his first experience on a drag-and-drive event goes well, John will be back with a quicker car, but not the Mustang.
“I am building a short bed Ford pick-up with a Hellcat motor specifically for drag-and-drives,” said John. “The truck will run small tire or tailgate class (truck specific class). It's a 1990 like my Mustang, super clean body with good patina, and these trucks are getting popular.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of John Mccuddin.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com