When the go-fast bug strikes a person they’ll find a way to scratch that speed filled itch. The great thing about drag racing is the pure variety of cars you’ll see at the track, and that’s a direct correlation to filling the need for speed. 

That variety at the track can be anything from a sleeper import to a classic muscle car to a full-on racing machine. In Australia the variety of race cars runs just as deep here in the states, if not more, and can get pretty wild. As a prime example, Dion Amato and Dyno-Mite Performance took a Ford XR6 and made it in to a nasty boosted eight-second race utility vehicle that does burnouts with the best of ’em.

The Ford XR6 was born from the Australian love of the “ute” type car.  A Ford Falcon was used as the base for the XR6, and had a bed added like a truck (think Chevy El Camino, here). Unlike in the United States, the Falcon has continued production since it was introduced in the 1960’s. Over the years the modern Falcon has seen straight line action as well as stints with V8 Touring car series.

Amato has built a race utility vehicle that makes the most out of a six banger engine — a de-stroked 4.0L Ford Barra DOHC motor that’s topped off by a CES stainless steel manifold.  A Garrett GT55 turbocharger provides the boost, while the power is transferred through a Pwerglide transmission. The motor runs on a steady diet of methanol and takes commands from the factory ECU, while a Racepak dash helps Dion keep tabs of everything going on while he wheels the XR6 during its very insane launches. A LMS chassis keeps things safe and going straight on the eight-second trips down the track at over a buck-60.

Video Credit: FullBoost.com.au