This Dart Aims to Hit a Bullseye at Death Week After a Sparse 2023 Season
Following a 2022 where he completed Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive and Hot Rod Drag Week, Ken Riddle was looking to tackle a few more drag-and-drive events in 2023. But parts availability stopped him cold in his tracks.
“I intended on doing more events in 2023, but due to the non-availability of parts, I couldn’t get my car back together in time,” said Ken. “I am already signed up for Sick Week in January, and plan to attend Drag Week as well, later in the year.”
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But before he takes on the 2024 season, Ken and brother Gary will tackle Death Week in his 1969 Dodge Dart known as the ‘Enemy.’ “It got the name Enemy after blowing up three weekends in a row,” Ken admitted. “My wife started calling it the Enemy because it wasn’t fun anymore. All these years later, the name stuck.”
The Dart has been described as a “a work in progress” according to Ken. “I’ve had it 20 years,” he said, and those 20 years have been marked with many modifications and changing it up periodically.
Currently powered by a 408 cubic inch bullet based on the 360 small block, using a Mopar Performance 4-inch stroker crankshaft, and JE piston-topped Eagle H-beam connecting rods. Combined with a pair of modified Edelbrock cylinder heads, the compression ratio checks in a at 15:1, and Ken added a single turbocharger to make runs down the track just a little more fun.
A Turbo 400 transmission and a Pro Torque converter pass the power to a Moser rear end and aluminum center section. Ken did the up the back half conversion for the big tires and a ladder bar rear suspension to complete the Pro Street look.
Now with several drag-and-drive events under his belt, Ken says he’s looking forward to the newly announced Death Week. “I appreciate the challenge of it,” he said. “The first track is also an hour and a half from my house. I plan to just drive my car from my house to the track.”
“I think the event will be a combination of adventure and challenge. I also really enjoy the camaraderie of everyone. Hanging out and helping people along the way really makes these events great.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Ken Riddle.
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