Hold onto your hats, because the Haltech Horsepower Heroes competition delivered a year for the record books! Darren Portelli's HQ Holden, a true beast of a machine, roared to victory with an astounding 3697hp run. This wasn't just any win; it was a statement. But how did he do it?
This incredible feat of engineering smashed his previous record of 3513hp, which itself had obliterated the previous year's top mark of 2504hp set by the MAKDADDY VL Commodore. Darren's reaction? Pure, unadulterated excitement! "I didn’t expect it, it made nearly 3700hp!" he exclaimed, crediting the cooler weather for the boost.
This powerhouse, fueled by a twin 88mm turbo and a Dart block Chev engine, not only secured Darren the overall prize but also first place in the 8CYL Forced Induction class. However, the competition was fierce. Daniel Szabolics, another Dandy Engines customer, initially set a blistering record of 3786hp the day before. Unfortunately, a suspected mechanical issue prevented him from competing in the finals.
Second place overall went to Anthony Meskos in his FG Falcon ute, who also reset the six-cylinder record for a Barra engine, achieving an impressive 2330hp. He also took home the top spot in the 6CYL Forced Induction class and the coveted Boost Demon award for clocking a mind-blowing 65psi!
Coming in third overall and second in the 8CYL Forced Induction class was last year's champion, Lee and Anna Povey, with their JKLHYD VL Calais. This car, powered by a twin-turbo, 427-cube Dart LS combo, improved upon its previous winning run of 2109hp, reaching 2117hp.
In the 6CYL Forced Induction class, James Whitfield's HQ One Tonner took second place. Originally a Drag Challenge winner, this 'Q' is now powered by a stroker, 3.3-litre Dart block 2JZ engine. After a qualifying run of 1647hp, it delivered a final run of 1602hp.
And this is where it gets interesting... Records were also broken in the 8CYL Aspirated category, with Michael Saad's Mk1 Ford Capri hitting over 1100hp in qualifying, thanks to an experimental BK Engines big-block Ford. In the finals, 1097hp was enough to secure the win.
But here's where it gets controversial... Morad Mahmoud's MACKED R34 GT-R, with a 3.4-litre twin cam RB engine and nitrous, blasted out 2111hp in qualifying, earning the Spray N Pray award. Though qualified for the finals, they chose not to compete.
The 6CYL Aspirated class saw Steve Pembrey's 1985 Toyota Corolla KE70 steal the show, boasting a 2GR 3.5-litre V6 swap from an Aurion! "I just got it from a $2000 wreck," he said, "and the rear-wheel-drive Celica W57 gearbox bolts straight up." It peaked at 285hp, nearly 100hp more than second-place finisher Rick Yates in his Aussie six LJ Torana.
Ellis “Spike” Dickson's Suzuki Mighty Boy, with an aspirated 13B rotary swap, took home the Rev Monster plate, hitting 11,000rpm during qualifying.
Dyno operator Adam Rogash chose Jamie Seears' Nissan Silvia S15 as his favorite build. This Silvia, using a 2.0-litre SR20 with a VE head, screamed to 10,000rpm while guzzling 35psi, producing an incredible 803hp – all from a 2.0-litre engine!
Adam Rogash summed it up perfectly: "It has been a phenomenal year, who would’ve thought we’d see so many records tumble in the same year. Three cars making 3000hp, breaking records for GT-Rs, Barras, aspirated cars, so big shout out to everyone and my crew for working so hard all weekend to put on a show for everyone, it was standing room only all weekend.”
Haltech Horsepower Heroes Summernats 38 2026 Results
8CYL FORCED INDUCTION
- 1st: Darren Portelli, HQ Holden – 3697hp
- 2nd: Lee Povey, VL Calais – 2117hp
- 3rd: Brett Muscat, VK Commodore – 1779hp
8CYL ASPIRATED
- 1st: Michael Saad, Ford Capri – 1097hp
- 2nd: Jacob Farrigia, Ford Mustang – 660hp
- 3rd: Michael Furhnam, XD Falcon – 604hp
6CYL FORCED INDUCTION
- 1st: Anthony Meskos, FPV FG Falcon – 2330hp
- 2nd: James Whitfield, HQ One Tonner – 1602hp
- 3rd: Derek Johnson, Toyota Supra – 1548hp
6CYL ASPIRATED
- 1st: Steve Pembrey, Toyota Corolla KE70 – 285hp
- 2nd: Rick Yates, LJ Torana – 188hp
- 3rd: Shane Wagner, LC Torana – 176hp
Spray N Pay – Morad Mahmoud, Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
Rev Monster – Ellis Dickson, Suzuki Mighty Boy, 11,000rpm
Torque Titan – Daniel Szabolics, HQ Holden Monaro
Boost Demon – Anthony Meskos, FPV FG, 65psi
Outstanding Engineering – Jamie Seears, Nissan Silvia S15
What do you think? Were you surprised by the results? Which car impressed you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
