Former Sick Powerfest Burnout Champion Ponders Strategy For a Chance at This Year’s World Burnout Championship Title
We’ve seen James Rowlett at multiple drag-and-drive events. He’s appeared on television shows. He’s even scored a burnout contest win at Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse a few years back.
After Mother Nature spoiled his chances in 2023, James will return to Michigan this week looking to claim a win in the World Burnout Championship at Sick Powerfest.
Sick Powerfest Presented by Dodge & M1 Concourse invades Pontiac, Michigan this week - Friday, August 9th, 2024!! Burnout Competitors battle for a $25,000 purse in the WORLD BURNOUT CHAMPIONSHIP - tons of cool rides around M1 Concourse in the Sick Spit Show and Shine - Dodge Thrill Rides - Powerfest Exclusive Dodge Demon 170 Drag Launch Experience rides - Manufacturers Midway and a ton more! Get your tickets - register for the car show and find out more information HERE!
After debuting an 8-second Mustang at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in 2002, James made the switch to a 1968 Chevrolet Impala 4-door he calls the ‘HonkyTonk Special’ one year later. “It doesn’t make any sense to most people, but I just love it,” James said.
After capturing the burnout contest win at Sick Powerfest with a 5.3-liter LS engine with a ProCharger for the extra ponies for burnout smoke, James switched things up for the 2023 edition of Sick Week, with the Impala getting a blower atop the LS, and a manual transmission in the tunnel.
Fast forward six months, and the Impala rolled into M1 Concourse with its third change in the engine bay. Now packing a big block Chevrolet and a traditional blower atop it all, James was ready to defend his burnout title from the previous year.
But with two cars to go, including James at the end of the line, a tornado warning siren blared across the property, ending the event early.
After focusing mostly on work and family since then, with an appearance at Southeast Street-N-Yeet last November, James is debating his options for Sick Powerfest and this year’s World Burnout Championship, including the Impala and a purpose-built drift Nissan 240SX.
“The Nissan has been a drift car for many years,” said James. “I’ve owned it for only several months, but I’ve driven the car and been around the car for years.” Packing a LS-swap and a T56 manual transmission, James is considering a power adder to spice up the Nissan.
But, the lure of the Impala is strong as well, and despite sitting for several months, James is considering it for both Sick Powerfest duty, and the following day’s racing action on Roadkill Nights. “It has an empty engine bay again,” James said. “It will have a fresh big block this week. I feel like the Nissan was closer to completion, but the ‘HonkyTonk Special’ should come. It needs to get its chance again.”
Sick Powerfest Powered by Dodge and M1 Concourse brings a high-octane horsepower party to Pontiac, Michigan on Friday, August 9 2024.
* The Sick World Burnout Championship featuring Australian burnout stars Luxifer, Lynchy and more going against USA’s best for over $25,000 in prize money!
* Dodge Grudge Match reveals and burnouts.
* Dodge Demon 170 Drag Launch Experience (Powerfest Exclusive) — for the first time ever, you can feel the 1000+ horsepower of America’s quickest production car on the straightaway of M1 Concourse.
* Dodge Drift Experience featuring Dodge Charger Hellcats. You’ll be in the passenger seat for this twisting, sliding, smoking ride!
* Dodge Hornet Offroad Experience — feel the sting of the Hornet on the dirt at M1 Concourse!
* Dodge Simulators — go head-to-head with your friends.
* Tony Stewart Racing’s Dodge Nitro Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragster nitro fire-ups!
* Sick Spit Show-n-Shine featuring Michigan’s best street cars including Tom Bailey’s Sick Seconds Camaro.
* DJ Bryon Rompa spinning beats.
* Food trucks including Sick Pizza.
* Sponsor and vendor displays with exclusive Powerfest deals.
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? Information and tickets on Sick Powerfest are available here: https://www.sickthemagazine.com/sick-powerfest
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and James Rowlett.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com