This weekend’s Outlaw Nitro Challenge at the Perth Motorplex (12 December) will feature nitro-fuelled Front Engine Dragsters (FEDs) taking on nitro-powered Funny Cars in a three round, anything goes match race.

Michael Brooks will be piloting his Nitro Mayhem FED while his other nitro FED (Aussie Digger) will also be contesting the ‘first to the end wins’ event in the hands of Shannon Taylor.

Both dragsters have impressive pedigrees, with Nitro Mayhem previously owned and raced by Funny Car star Jeff Diehl in the US while Aussie Digger was previously run as a Top Alcohol car by Clive Hudson. Brooks purchased both vehicles as rollers and did all of the work himself with the assistance of Rory Taylor of SpeedTorque.

Michael Brooks will pilot Nitro Mayhem (above) this weekend, while Shannon Taylor will drive Brooks’ Aussie Digger machine (at top). Photos credit to High Octane Photos.

“You can’t go any further in this sport than running nitro, there is nothing above that and the crowds really love the flames and the out of control feel of them,” Brooks said.

“Shannon and I are certainly looking forward to the weekend, our two dragsters racing against four funny cars should make for a great nitro-powered spectacle.”

Putting on a show is not the only goal 54-year-old Brooks has in mind for his weekend exploits either.

“The main goal is to run faster than 5.48 seconds which, if I can do it, would make Nitro Mayhem the fastest nitro-powered FED in the world. And if I can go faster than 271 miles per hour as well, that would make it the quickest in the world,” said the Bullsbrook (WA) resident who has just started a new aquaponics and aquaculture business.

“They run those times and speeds in the US in Funny Cars and my dragster is 400 pounds less in weight while making the same amount of horsepower (approximately 4000-4500hp).

“The only problem is that here we are running on a small tyre, but they run those times and speeds over there while making less power, so it should be achievable in Nitro Mayhem. It sure would be great if we can do it.”

Brooks has a long history with nitro, spending years working on Mark Sheehan’s Funny Car and then on his Top Fueler. He started out in 1992 with his own rear-engined supercharged small block dragster, and has also spent years working on Alcohol cars with Rory Taylor.

“I got tired of working on other people’s cars and wanted to get out there myself. I bought the front engine dragsters because they used to be the original Top Fuelers and they are a lot of fun. They tend to walk around a bit and if they get out of the groove you sure know about it, but in the groove they are pretty great,” Brooks explained.

“I have been racing with Rory for the last 32 years and he is also going to be competing this weekend in his own Funny Car – I reckon he will be my biggest challenge to beat this weekend.

“No matter which way it goes, I have to thank him for all his work and support over the years. I want to also thank him alongside Ray Treasure (GM, Perth Motorplex) and Chris (Andrich, VenuesWest) for their hard work organising our championship for this season.

“Hopefully, we can get it off to a great start this weekend.”

The Nitro Outlaw Challenge will be held at the Perth Motorplex this Saturday, 12 December. For more information, visit www.motorplex.com.au

For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au