Revved up for Street title bid

Nic Haggett is carrying the hopes of Moreton Bay and north Brisbane into the final of this year’s Milwaukee Young Street Machine of the Year competition.

The 24-year-old lift technician has built a 1996 Toyota Supra SZR, over five years, at home in Elimbah.

Now his pride and joy’s one of 16 national finalists – selected from 320 original entries aged under 25 – in a public vote for the 2023 title.

The poll is open now until midnight on Sunday (May 28). To vote click here. Winner, to be announced on June 2, will collect $2500 and be featured in Street Machine.

Mr Haggett’s love of cars started at a young age, collecting and playing with Hot Wheels toys. By the age of eight he was go karting and by nine knew he had to have a Supra.

“I was riding shotgun in one (Supra) in one a family friend had,” he said in the official entry, “I just knew I had to have one.

“I saved every penny I had before buying my first five-speed manual Supra for $5000, which I learned to drive in.

“Watching YouTube videos of Supras from Texas Streets inspired me to build one mental Supra, which is my RZS Supra I have now.”

Building Street Machine - Pictures

The car, which Mr Haggett estimates cost around $50,000 to build, has a 3-litre 2JZ engine, Precision Turbo, “pushes just over 1250hp” and has a full interior upgrade.

There’s also a six-point cage and chute set-up as Mr Haggett plans to take the car drag racing.

However, it must first be “signed-off” by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), which Mr Haggett said was “pretty close now”.

He will then aim for “that eight-second pass, with aspirations of someday pushing the title of a seven-second streeter!”

“This car holds a big place in my heart and has an incredible amount of sentimental value,” Mr Haggett said.

“Ninety per cent of the work, including the majority of the fabrication, was carried out by myself and my old man in our back shed.

“Working alongside him has been a massive learning curve and an incredible blonding experience for us both.”

Mr Haggett may also start building a second car – most likely an Australian model.