Australian drift enthusiast James Mackie shares his journey of transforming a supercharged drift machine into a family-friendly all-rounder. Mackie’s self-taught drifting skills, honed through years of trial and error, have led him to tune his classic Aussie muscle car, ‘Gary,’ for drifting.
Despite the surprise of onlookers at seeing a classic muscle car used for drifting, Mackie has successfully competed in various motorsports beyond drifting, including hillclimbs, drag racing, and lap dashes. To keep up with modern competition, he has dedicated hours in his shed making modifications to his car.
Equipped with a powerful 6.0-litre V8 engine, a supercharger, electronic fuel injection, and a six-speed gearbox, ‘Gary’ offers both power and performance without breaking the bank. Mackie has also customized the car with features like a hydraulic handbrake, upgraded suspension, and bigger brakes for optimal drifting and circuit racing experiences.
While Mackie has enjoyed success with ‘Gary,’ he now seeks to make the car family-friendly to accommodate his two kids’ love for the hobby. To achieve this, he is transitioning the car from a full-race setup to a configuration that allows for family outings while still being race-ready.
The conversion process involves addressing challenges such as modifying the roll cage to accommodate a back seat for the kids, changing the fuel system for cruising comfort, and installing a tow bar to enable towing a vintage caravan with ‘Gary.’ Mackie plans to leverage the convenience of online platforms like eBay to source quality parts for the project.
With a clear vision and the support of his mates, Mackie is determined to strike a balance between family enjoyment and competitive racing in his car transformation. By making strategic modifications and leveraging online resources, he aims to create a versatile vehicle that caters to both his family’s needs and his racing passion.
As Mackie continues his journey of revamping ‘Gary’ into an all-rounder, his story serves as a testament to the versatility and adaptability of street machines in catering to diverse interests and lifestyles. Through his hands-on approach and innovative solutions, Mackie exemplifies the spirit of automotive customization and the enduring appeal of classic muscle cars in contemporary motorsports culture.
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