Everyone who loves the sport of drag racing has a car or an era in particular that they love the most. Some like gassers, some funny cars or dragsters or even the classical street rod where drag racing has it roots. And then there are the likes of Mark Haustein and a bunch of others who prefer the era of Wild Bunch and in particular the HT Holden Ute of Wellington's Mark "Blobby" Thomas. Chris Tynan's 55 aside, that Ute remains to this day one of the iconic cars of the era and Marks version means one day soon we could see them both side by side.

So what do you do when you already have a HT Holden drag Ute running solidly in Super Sedan and a local racer has his blown alcohol big block for sale out of his dragster? Well you snap that shit up and build yourself a clone! A combo like that doesn't just slide into the existing chassis rails and your good to go, well it could but would prob resemble more a bumper car than a drag car at that point. Basically all that remains of the original is the steel HT shell with a complete new tube chassis sitting under it now, while the aforementioned 540 cube, 1471 topped monster looks at home in front of the tight confines of Marks new office. A Reid cased Glide and fabricated 9 inch rear complete the puzzle and a lifelong dream for Mark who just may get the chance to pull into stage against the very car that was the inspiration for his own.

Only one short inauspicious season into his blown door car career, Mark's last meeting was his best, while still getting comfortable in the car he has already eased it into the low 8 second zone with, as they say, plenty more to come, although in this case that statement i know to be true. With The Boat Shed and Autos and Master Blaster on board again for support this year, and the teething issues behind him with a brand new car, look out for Mark to smash straight into the 7 second zone and be a player on raceday.

Age: 57
Day job: Printers assistant.
Daily driver: Holden.
Dumbest way you've hurt yourself: Dislocated shoulder in the process of shall we say enjoying private time with a lady friend.
Name a store you would max out your credit card: Summit Racing Equipment.
What movie title best describes you: American Graffitti.