If there is a hallmark of Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week 2016 that has already kind of showed itself before the beginning of the event, it is the large number of international entries that will be competing. We’re talking entries from Australia, Canada, and at least two European countries. The machines vary in shape, size, and ferocity, but the one thing they do not vary on is the intensity and dedication of their owners. These guys are hardcores among the hardcore and the Swedes may have jumped out to an early lead with some pre-Drag Week testing in Orlando, Florida.
This is the Opel Ascona that comes from Sweden. Powered by a 540ci big block Chevy on a couple of nitrous kits, the car is tiny, it makes 1,500hp, and it is no stranger to being hammered on. In fact, this particular car has won the Stockholm Open six times. The Stockholm Open is considered one of the most insane street races in the world and the Opel has chewed them up and spit them out over there a half dozen times.
The tube chassis car is tiny, hot, and in some ways a throwback to the early days of competition in the vein of Carl Scott who bludgeoned his way to a Drag Week victory in 2005. In this video you will see what happens when this thing gets all the traction and starts to reach for the moon.
The car torques, lifts, and carries the wheels for a long way. Unfortunately in the midst of all this coolness the car suffered a wheelie bar, a ladder bar, and a shock issue. The boys have it all fixed now but this was a rough one. Oh, take note of the door flying open on the passenger side as well!
