It’s been one of my life goals to see a no-kidding Australian burnout car in action in Australia. Ever since I saw the first video, of George Separovich’s methanol-inhaling HK Monaro going completely violent on the pad at Motorvation 2004, I’ve been enamored with these over-the-top monsters. They lack the purpose of a drag car and the finesse of a road course build, but if you are hung up on all of that, then you aren’t meant for them anyways. I dig the idea of giving the engine the chance to sing to the heavens, holding that high note like Pavarotti trying to prove a point. I enjoy the smells of burned rubber, race fuel exhaust, and hot engine. I am all about driving like a delinquent…it’s how I learned in the first place! Going to Australia and seeing these cars in their natural habitat is still top-level on the bucket list, but since paying the cost of a good Craigslist used car in plane tickets alone isn’t in the cards for most people, generally YouTube has been the only medium to see them in action.

Until now.

Three cars from the Castlemaine Rod Shop are heading across the pond to the United States to take part in a few Cleetus and Cars events. Steve Nogas’s “KILLA-B” 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Marc Waddington’s 1965 Ford Falcon XP, and Heath Waddington’s “Real Deal” 1969 Holden Torana LC are going to be appearing at the Cleetus and Cars Indy event at Lucas Oil Raceway on April 18, 2020, the September 26, 2020 Houston event at Houston Raceway Park, and the November 20-21, 2020 Cleetus and Cars Grand Championship event in Florida. In addition, the “TOAST” Camaro will be back in the States, so Cleetus can get some more practice in before he tries to take on the Aussies again on their home turf. If you’ve ever wanted to see what the Southern Hemisphere really offers, this is your chance. Get out there!