Making the Jump from Sick Ward to Death Week in a Classic Pontiac
Following their experience as part of the Sick Ward group at this year’s Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, Austin Hart and Joe Turk decided to step up and try their hand at another drag-and-drive event. That event of choice will be Death Week, happening in just a little over two weeks time.
“We attended Sick Week in Sick Ward just to see how it was,” said Austin. “We enjoyed the event, but I just wanted to push my luck a little more and beat on the car at the track, plus the adventure of Death Week.”
Don’t miss the ultimate drag-and-drive: Death Week, October 20-29 2023!
Event information and entry forms can be FOUND HERE!
To navigate close to 2000 miles of driving, Austin and Joe selected a 1972 Pontiac Lemans. “Just like the 1971 and 1972 GTO (model), they kind of have a face only a mother can love,” said Austin. “This car was going to be a parts car for a 1971 GTO I'm building, but was too nice.”
The traditional Pontiac driveline has been replaced with a 6.0-liter LS swap, a 6L90 6-speed automatic transmission and a Quick Performance 9-inch rear end.
Although the driveline got the Pontiac through Sick Week with no issues, Austin wanted to add a little extra spice to the recipe. “I decided to pull the car apart, and change the set up with a NorthStar m122 supercharger,” said Austin. “The plan for Death Week is just to survive in an untested car; now if I can get it back together.”
Austin enjoys the Pontiac, but he already has his eyes on the next step. “I like oddball things,” he said. “This car isn't going to become a dedicated drag-and-drive car. I have plans to build a 356 speedster as my drag-and-drive car. So hopefully I'll have that done in the next couple of years.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Austin Hart.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com