Pontiac GTO. 700+hp. Dubai, UAE. Meet Fadi Tammour

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“I know everything about it. I know every bolt. Like the supercharger. I had to custom make a lot of plates, pipes, brackets and washers just to get it aligned perfect. Otherwise it will all blow in one run. That was a major issue.

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“Heat is obviously a major thing in the UAE too, and I’ve had to put a lot of work into getting the systems working perfectly: engine, cooling, transmission, power steering, etc. It’s quite funny, but I spent so much time doing that, that now the cooling measures I have in place are much more than I need! I can take the car to the drag strip and do twelve or thirteen runs with no issue.”

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Fadi can no longer contain his excitement, and fires up the caged V8 beast so I can have a listen. I miss the next few moments of our conversation while my ears stop ringing. It’s incredible to think that such a machine has been so painstakingly constructed through trial and error.

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“No-one was giving me advice on this project. The USA is the mother for drag racing, so you can get everything easily, and for half the price. Plus, these guys can learn from each other. But for me, I was on my own. So it was trial and error, and I just had to learn from it. I’ve already been through one differential, three gearboxes, two blocks and three supercharger units. For the list of what I did to the car, we could be here until morning!”

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The car’s just returned from having a roll cage fitted. That, however, is the extent to the modifications on the interior. The air conditioning still works, the stereo is still in place, and there’s room for the whole family. Astonishing as it may seem, with a few quick changes made – most notably the enormous rear tyres and track-ready suspension settings –the GTO is a perfectly road legal family coupe again. Hanging from the rearview mirror, for example, is a pacifier, loaned by Fadi’s young daughter Ghina, and in a few weeks she’ll even have her own childseat installed too.

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“Family is something that pushes you forward. When I did my run at Yas Marina, my wife Ghayda was in the crowd. When I went under 10s, she started to shout and cry, and everyone was looking at her! And in the car, I was so happy and started to cry. She’s always supported me, and Ghina’s starting to get excited about it too!

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A major hurdle was crossed and in style, but Fadi knows there are limits to Lulu’s potential. That doesn’t mean this was the last hurrah though.

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“I think maybe we can go half a second quicker with weight reduction. Already I have a carbon fibre hood, but I’ve painted it because I don’t like to show. There’s there’s still room for carbon fibre doors, panels and the trunk. Wherever I can take weight off without affecting the look or the interior, I will do it.