Nineteen months after a mini tornado tore through the Davison Ford Sunset Strip pits and put his season on hold, Glenn Henley is bringing his popular little red Datto back to the track.

Henley will take to the regional Victoria venue this weekend (September 19-20) for the Mildura City Council Sunset Nationals – round three of the 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series – with a freshly repaired, resprayed, and re-powered car underneath him.

“It has been 19 months since the little red Datto and I have been on the track, so I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and racing again,” Henley said.

“The Datto suffered some damage when the mini tornado tore through the Mildura pits in February last year. She needed body repairs and a full respray, beautifully carried out by Nigel Turley from Mount Gambier.

“And while she was off the track, she also got a new motor dropped in!”

The enforced layoff became an opportunity, with the rebuild centred on a new Small Block LS 454 and a four-figure horsepower target.

“It was a huge effort from Craig Carrison Race Engines to achieve the 1000hp target with the new Small Block LS 454,” Henley said.

“Brenton Marusic from THR Development also put an incredible 100 hours into porting and epoxying the heads and manifold, which played a big part in achieving that number.

“I’m incredibly appreciative to have both Craig and Brenton on my side and involved in the build.”

For all the work in the shed, though, Henley says the pull of Mildura is as much about the people as the passes.

“Most of all, I’m looking forward to catching up with the drag racing family. It is always great to see everyone,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and testing the motor again.”

With a new engine, new suspension and a new carburettor all to bed down, Henley heads to Sunset Strip with a measured plan – and a lighter schedule for the season ahead.

“I won’t be competing in the full series this season; instead, I’ll be doing a handful of select meetings,” he said.

“My focus at this stage is really on enjoying the racing and getting the car sorted. I’ve made some changes, including new suspension and a new carby, so there’s plenty to test and learn.

“Of course, it would be great to come away with a result, but this meeting is primarily about testing, getting some track time, and seeing how everything works together.”

The Mildura City Council Sunset Nationals will be held at the Davison Ford Sunset Strip across September 19-20, with ANDRA Christmas Trees and championship points on offer across 10 brackets. A Test ‘n’ Tune will be held on September 18.

For event information, visit www.sunsetstrip.org.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au