This Storied Chevelle Gets Some Upgrades After Seven Years of Drag-and-Drive Event Proving
Flexing a factory-correct appearance while packing mid 8-second performances, Mark Mannor’s 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle has been a staple at drag-and-drive events since Mark appeared in his first Hot Rod Drag Week in 2016. Nine years later, the classic Chevrolet will receive a host of upgrades to help it move to the next level of competition.
When Mark got his start with the Chevelle in 2016, it was with a naturally-aspirated big block in the Super Street Big Block N/A class at Drag Week. Mark finished eighth in class for his first drag-and-drive event, scoring a 12.22 average and a best pass of 11.84 at 114 mph on day two.
After skipping the event in 2017, Mark returned in 2018 to the Super Street Big Block N/A class, and posted a fourth-place finish with an 11.85 average. Mark continued to improve his average the next year, completing his third Drag Week with an 11.29 average, now sporting a little boost on board by turbocharging his big block combination.
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Mark scored a second-place finish at the 2021 edition of Hot Rod Drag Week, lowering his average to a 10.63 in the Super Street Big Block Power-Adder class. A 9.62 average would get him into the top fifteen of the 275 Street Race class at the 2022 edition of Sick Week, and Mark lowered his average even more at Drag Week later that year, posting his first 8-second run in competition with an 8.82 at 152 mph in route to a 9.13 average and a third-place finish.
2023 has started off well for Mark, who kicked off his season not far from his Longwood, Florida home at Orlando ‘Sick’ World Dragway for the 2023 Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. The Chevelle finished third in the 275 Street Race class with an 8.64 average at Sick Week, along with a new personal best 8.51 at 159.95 mph pass on day one at Orlando ‘Sick’ World Dragway.
Mark wouldn’t wait long to compete in his second drag-and-drive of the season, making the trip to the Carolinas for the Southeast Street-N-Yeet Spring event. Participating in the Unlimited Yeet class, Mark produced a 5.49 average on the eighth-mile standard to lock up the class win and the big check to accompany it.
“I’ll do both Street-N-Yeet events and Sick Week from here on out,” said Mark. And after nine years of faithful drag-and-drive service, Mark will be making some changes before his next event, the Fall edition of Street-N-Yeet. “This old 2 bolt, cast crank, 489 (cubic inch engine) has seen its last day in the car,” he admitted. “It has served its purpose for the last 9 years.”
So, what’s in the works? “I have an all-new 540 cubic inch short block already,” Mark said, packing a Dart Big M block with a Callies crankshaft and Boostline connecting rods. “I ordered a TRZ Motorsports fabricated 9-inch rear end last week,” he continued. “And the transmission is getting better internals.” He’ll also drop some pounds off the nearly two-ton Chevy, connecting the trans to the 9-inch with a carbon driveshaft, and upgrading to TBM Brakes at all four corners.
“It’s going to be the best built 8.50 car ever,” Mark laughed. But after all the events Mark and the Chevelle have completed, he said enjoying them with friends and his wife are what he looks forward to the most. “That lady is my ride or die; I couldn’t do it without her.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Motion Raceworks, Mark and Jamie Mannor.