The definition of a Hoonigan is a person who operates a motor vehicle in an aggressive and unorthodox manner, consisting of, but not limited to, drifting, burnouts, doughnuts as well as acts of automotive aeronautics. In effect, one who ‘hoons.’ And what an apt description for Ken Block’s business that is always one step ahead of the curve with every vehicle build, every race, every video game app, and every Gymkhana event production. Block, co-founder of DC Shoes is a professional rally driver with the Hoonigan Racing Division formerly known as the Monster World Rally Team. Over the years he has amassed an impressive team of 30+ within the Hoonigan ranks, one of which is Jon Chase, also known as Design Daddy by his fellow team mates. Jon is responsible for the company’s branding, art direction, video hosting, and most recently for talking trash with Roadkill’s Mike Finnegan.
When Chase and Hoonigan’s Garage team created the YouTube video, ”Building a 9 second street car-Jon’s Gasser,” Jon called Mike out at 10:02 with a challenge. It turns out, the two share a passion for the ’55 Chevy Bel Air. Finnegan and his Gasser Blasphemi had long been a high-profile car in the hot rod world. Chase discovered an abandoned project car that was under the freeway overpass, then purchased and restored his own ’55 Chevy Bel Air as a Gasser named Tri Five by Fire. Hot Rod Magazine shared the callout post on their site and social media, where it came to the attention of Finnegan.
This summer, both are making modifications to their Gassers in preparation for the shootout, and on a visit to Westech with Blasphemi, Finnegan stopped in at Hoonigan’s Donut Garage for more car talk, video production and trash talk.
As soon as Tri Five by Fire’s new engine is built, the two will schedule a shootout of epic proportions. Hoonigan fans have been wanting this to happen for some time, and are delighted. Finnegan runs a 528 Gen II Hemi that makes 900 HP at the wheel, and Chase’s goal is to run in the 9:90’s, make at least 700+ HP and be sure the car is ‘streetable.’ The engine building team at Hoonigan’s knew that to reach those goals, they would need a power adder and a bullet proof drivetrain. That’s where American Powertrain entered the picture.
American Powertrain Director of Marketing Matt Graves and Jon Chase met several years ago during Hot Rod Power Tour, and discussion ensued regarding the best possible drive train set- up for the Tri Five by Fire.
Chase says, “Originally I had restored my gasser with junkyard parts. Both my gasser and our chief creative officer’s ’72 Nova broke nearly every day on the tour. Fortunately, Matt and American Powertrain was on the tour and with their help we were able to get the parts we needed to stay on the road. There’s no question now I have this big shootout with Finnegan that I would use anything but American Powertrain. I trust the quality, service and reliability of their products and know that Matt will steer me in the right direction to get the win. And no matter what the outcome, we still get a win with all the great exposure the callout has created.”
“It’s pretty exciting to be associated with and considered a go-to source with a company the caliber of Hoonigan,” said Graves. “We’ve enjoyed developing a relationship with this great team, and for the Tri Five by Fire, we outfitted Jon with a custom fit 6 Speed Magnum with Cryo gears to withstand the high horsepower this power adder outfitted Gasser would need to battle the likes of Finnegan’s Blasphemi. We will be following this build and upcoming race very closely.”
For more information about American Powertrain TREMEC transmission kits for Ford, GM or Mopar visit www.americanpowertrain.com. To speak with one of American Powertrain’s highly qualified technicians, call 931-646-4836.
For more information about Hoonigan, visit https://www.hoonigan.com/
