SuperNova – Jack Brooks Aims to Return to the Site of His First Drag-and-Drive, Hot Rod Drag Week, With a More Powerful ’64 Nova
After a successful drag-and-drive debut at Hot Rod Drag Week in 2023, Jack Brooks looked to continue his drag-and-drive adventure at this year’s Sick Week and Sick Summer.
Neither panned out as he wanted, so it was back to the drawing board, and a bunch of changes, to plot his return to Hot Rod Drag Week.
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After the 1964 Chevrolet Nova known as ‘DirtNasty’ clocked a best 8.16 at 173 mph on its way to completing Hot Rod Drag Week, Jack looked to crank up the boost and invade the 7-second range at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
But just two runs in during a test session before day one of Sick Week, the Nova decided it wouldn’t even survive to the first day of Sick Week.
“Our first test pass wasn’t the best (due to me),” said Jack. “But the car went down the track as planned, and everything in the data looked correct and promising. We went out for one more test pass later in the evening, and had something not go as planned, which resulted in a cracked block.”
At that point, Jack packed up and returned home to Georgia, and about a week later, the engine was out and Jack contemplated his next move. “I enjoy working to make the car something fast and street worthy,” said Jack. “I have some goals to meet. I have some events to compete in.”
Would he keep the LS-based powerplant, or make a change to a new combination? The plan was to have the car ready for Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks, but time ran out for Jack to get everything back together in time.
“My hourglass ran out for time to drive and test my new combination,” Jack said. “I got lucky coming in untested for Drag Week 2023, and not so lucky this year for Sick Week. It was tough to make the call, but I for what all I’ve done to the car and what I want the car to run, I feel like I need proper seat time before I compete.”
Just a couple days ago, the Nova fired to life for the first time since January, and with a lot of changes. “From the front transmission crossmember forward has been changed / altered,” said Jack. “I started over with an all new engine platform.”
Taking the place of the LS is a big block Chevrolet, displacing 540 cubic inches, wearing a pair of HPT 88/103-millimeter turbochargers. “Of course, the firewall, transmission and floor had to be altered, as well as front end work to clear my headers and turbos,” Jack said. “And it all fits under a flat hood.”
Behind the engine remains the previous Turbo 400 3-speed transmission, although it got a fresh rebuild and a new converter spec’d for the big block. Jack plans to once again compete in the Ultimate Iron class at Hot Rod Drag Week, with goals of 7-second performances. If all goes well, a return to Sick Week in 2025 is also on the list.
“I’m excited for the new updates,” said Jack. “Thankful to have my friends Shawn and Jason helping me too.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Motion Raceworks and Jack Brooks.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com