The name “Firebird” might have been swiped from a line of GM concept vehicles at the last minute for Pontiac’s F-body pony car, but the imagery of a mythic bird in full immolation, screaming out has captured decades of car lover’s imaginations. Whether it’s a simple badge on the fuel cap or the gigantic Screaming Chicken on the hood, there is no mistaking the Firebird. Which means there is no true need to actually bring fire into the equation, right?

Don’t tell Pete Lane that. While this would look right at home somewhere in the less-patrolled areas of Australia or an outlaw track here in the States, this show of force comes straight from Shakespeare County Raceway in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The 1968 Pontiac is running a 496ci big Chevy with an 8-71 blower on top and FiTech fuel injection feeding the beast. A TH400 trans with a reverse manual valvebody and a Kilduff Lightning Rods shifter run the power out to a braced Ford 9-inch with a Detroit Locker and Strange axles. And yes, it’s RHD converted…it’s still street legal, still has the glass, is all steal and can be driven…or driven to a current best of 9.65@141 MPH in the quarter. Crew chief Dave Coombes is the man guiding Lane into the box, with the Safety Safari and fire crews nearby. According to Lane, he believes that this is the first closed wheel fire burnout allowed since 1973, “so we wanted it to be good.”

What do you say…is it good?