From Drag-and-Drive Finisher to Burnout Competitor, This ’69 Dart is Ready for Sick Powerfest
There’s a moment when you know about a certain car you have to have. Whether it’s something a friend or family member has, or maybe something from childhood you saw that stuck with you, we have dream rides we hope to obtain one day.
For Anthony Wisman, this ’69 Dodge Dart is a throwback to a car he remembers from long ago.
“My uncle had a 1967 Dodge Dart, so I always wanted one,” Anthony said. “I was going to build a ‘67 Satellite I had, but then this Dart came up, so we went this route instead.”
Unfortunately for Anthony, he choose the wrong shop at first, and the result over time wasn’t encouraging.
He finally wheeled the ’69 Dart over to Hot Rod by Havliks, where Brian and Jesse Havlik got the ball rolling in the right direction. The Havliks gave the Dodge the full treatment, from the safety updates needed, to prepping for the bigger tires out back.
For motivation, the Dart pays homage to old school Pro Street rides with a traditional blown Mopar engine, while maintaining a clean appearance that’s just at home on the show circuit as the competition.
Summit Racing Equipment Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse comes to Pontiac, Michigan this Friday - August 11, 2023! For more information, click HERE!
The car was completed less than a day before this year’s Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes got underway in early June, and despite a few snafus, Anthony and the Dart were able to complete his very first drag-and-drive, finishing with a 10.37 average.
The car has a lot more potential, and for quicker trips down the track, Anthony needs to get a NHRA professional license, which he plans to do.
But the Dart didn’t sit idle for long, as the Havliks already have plans for its next outing as a burnout competitor at Summit Sick Powerfest at M1 Concourse.
That appearance marks the first of a two-day exercise session for the Dart, as Anthony will double down to compete in Roadkill Nights on Saturday, August 12th.
To prepare for the competition, the Havliks decided to turn up the party and add some additional boost with a pulley change, even though the car will smoke the tires with ease on its Sick Summer tune-up.
“Mostly we’re making the changes to test the big boost for the next day,” said Anthony. “I’m excited for both events. The Havliks and my family are coming, and I’m excited to participate!”
The Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse is a huge 1-day event coming to Pontiac, Michigan on Friday, August 11th, 2023!
Massive amounts of smoke will come from the burnout competition, as well as the style and engine-screaming sounds of the drifting competition, with $5000 on the line for each!
PLUS, a super-sized Car Corral, nitro-breathing cackle cars, and RC Drag Racing, it’s a full day of fun you won’t want to miss!
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? All the information on Summit Sick Powerfest is available HERE!
Spectators: you can get special $10 general admission tickets thanks to Summit Racing! Use the discount code summitracing when you pre-purchase tickets HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Brian Havlik.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com