Tough racing breeds tough racers – and the racing is getting tough in Modified right now, make no mistake.

A cackle, a vision of front wheels dancing in the air, a driver exposed in his nitro chariot and fighting a butterfly steering wheel, fumes stinging the eyes and the ground shaking. Drag racing dreams are made of these – and fulfilled by the fuel altered.

Factory involvement has always been crucial to Pro Stock in the US, but in Australia participation from the corporates lagged behind. That was until Lee Bektash came on to the scene with Mopar, developing a partnership that is now close to a decade old and has ensured Pro Stock remains a three way war between Ford, Chev and Dodge.

Most women celebrating a 20th wedding anniversary would be seeking an appropriate piece of bling to place on a hand or around a neck – but Western Australian Supercharged Outlaws racer Jodie Mellitt had different ideas.

It is a brave decision by a man to take a step away from a love – and for Maurice Fabietti the time came for him to hand over the reins to his Holden Trade Club Top Doorslammer.

Mike Domagala was a name many Australian drag racing fans could have been forgiven for not recognising until he began to help out at Lamattina Top Fuel Racing team and more recently Mariani Motorsports, but the New York-raised operator of Premium Motorsports Products has a long history in drag racing.

Australia has an awesome assortment of Sport Compact machinery making its presence felt on the world stage – and Chris Tait is one of the drivers creating a buzz.