Chevy passion on display

Cars line up in pit lane at the Powercruise.

Claudia Baxter

MORE than just a passion, fast cars are a way of life for Jason Suna.

On Saturday the 39-year-old and his 1957 Chevrolet were proudly on display at Powercruise, held over the weekend.

Mr Suna said he had loved Chevy’s ever since he watched 1982 cult film Running on Empty as a 15-year-old, bringing his current car over from America three years ago.

“I had to have one before I died,” Mr Suna said.

“I was about to hit 40 and it was like a mid-life crisis thing.”

Mr Suna said getting to take his beloved Chevy around the Queensland Raceway track had been magic.

“It was great to get it out and give it what it’s got without getting into trouble,” he said.

Mark McLean likewise has a close affiliation with Running on Empty, with his black 1957 Chevrolet closely mirroring a vehicle from the film.

“It is identical to the car in the movie,” he said.

“I have watched the movie at least 150 times.”

Worth an estimated $50,000, the 42-year-old North Coast resident said he had “done everything bar wire the car”, converting it from left-hand drive and giving it its slick black paintwork.

Likewise Jason Manley has lost track of the hours he has spent restoring his 1974 HQ GTS Coupe, with at least 370 hours spent on the interior.

“I have painted it four times,” he said.

“Every nut and bolt is chromed, it has a digital dash. Everything is customised.”

More than $100 million worth of Queensland’s best street and drag cars hit the track over the weekend.

Powercruise sponsorship manager Gareth Ball said unlike other motorsport events, spectators of Powercruise had the opportunity to “cruise the track”, with the very best street machines, hot rods, drifters, drag racers and late model cars flexing their muscle around the 3.12km raceway.

“It gives the drivers the opportunity to use their vehicles the way they were built,” Mr Ball said.

“For some people it is the first time they have been able to get their cars out from their garage.

“Some people have spent some really big dollars on their cars.”

Mr Ball said the event brought together car enthusiasts from all walks of life.

“It is in our blood,” he said.

“We all have great respect for each other.

“It is a family friendly event, where kids could come along with their mum and dad.

“We want to encourage the next generation of supporters to our events.”