Mike Reid: 1955 Chevrolet
No matter what poll you run or who you ask, one car and one name comes out on top, or is the first mentioned whenever the words Wild Bunch are uttered. By a big margin its the 55 Chevy called Rat Attack, formally built, owned and thrashed by none other than Mr Chris Tynan. Now the cars history we all know and shes only ever had 2 owners, Chris and the 'Caretaker' as he calls himself - Mike Reid. One would think you have to be pretty damn lucky to own arguably the most iconic drag car in the country, but also tucked away in Mikes collection is the 500 SEC Mercedes formally pedaled by Steve Keys, which in the same era as Rat Attack, was busy creating its own legacy and forging its presence as a part of drag racing folklore.
While the Mercedes is a wee ways off hitting the track again, and it will, the 55 has never really left, not for more than a season or two at a time over the best part of 4 decades. Its been built and rebuilt, tagged walls and broken all manner of shit, but its probably made more laps than any car in the country and continues to, most recently with Chris back behind the wheel laying down what could only be described as a pass only one person could have made and no real surprise the 7.0 at 199 was made in his old 'office'. Mikes gone as low as 7.1 in the Chev and with the 532 cube Chev making serious power now while he shifts the 4 speed Lenco behind it, (the old school way with levers), then a 6 second pass in a "Legend" is just around the corner. One thing is certain though, the skid will be impressive no matter who is behind the wheel and exactly who that is at Wild Bunch Wars, well your guess is as good as mine with Bronson Dunne also recently undertaking the first stage of licencing in Rat Attack as well.
Westcoast Classics have been invaluable in their support, as have the likes of Stuart Stanners at Century Batteries, Bay Speed, Mahia Service Centre, along with Mikes partner Kelly and family, not just his actual family but the wider drag racing family specially the ones with surnames Tynan, Sheldon, Dixon and Dunne.
Age: Closer to 50 than 40
Day job: Which one?
Daily driver: Any cheap shitter that goes.
Dumbest way you've hurt yourself: Dislocated shoulder trying to catch a sheep.....
Name a store you would max out your credit card: Racepak (practice tree simulation coz he needs it).
What movie title best describes you: Evan Almighty (same Ark Mmike got his trans from).
Class | Wild Bunch |
Body | 1955 Chevrolet Belair 210 |
Engine | 532 cubic inch B/B Chev. EPD Heads |
Supercharger | Littlefield 16-71 |
Fuel Injection | Waterman |
Ignition | MSD 20 Pro Mag |
Clutch | Crower |
Gearbox | Lenco 4 speed |
Differential | 9" Ford. 4.29 gears |
Front Suspension | Strange |
Rear Suspension | 4 link |
Chassis | Tynan Race Cars |
Wheels | Front 15 x 4 Centerline. Rear 16 x 16 Centerline |
Tyres | Hoosier 34.5 x 17 x 16 |
Brakes | Strange / JFZ |
Paint | Black & Silver |
Major Sponsor | Westcoast Classics, Mahia Service Centre, Century Batteries |
Best times | 7.003 secs. 199.8 mph |
Major Sponsor: | Westcoast Classics |