Geoff Turk of Blackbird Performance, a company focused on the Gen III Hemi engine, has transformed his business philosophy from prioritizing profits to valuing relationships and personal investment. This shift is exemplified in his mentorship of young racer Mark Dudley Jr., who has deep-rooted connections to racing through his father’s 1963 Fury, affectionately named “the Asphalt Hustler.” Mark’s early memories of drag racing were formed by accompanying his family during races across the country, solidifying his passion.

Recently, Dudley received the Fury from his grandfather, who had retained its original components. Turk is now guiding him in converting the classic car into a competitive Super Stock GT vehicle, featuring a high-performance Mopar Drag Pak-style Gen III Hemi engine. The build will maintain the car’s essence while enhancing its capabilities, enabling it to operate at RPMs where most engines falter.

The planned upgrades include replacing the original 426 Max Wedge engine with a new 426 cubic-inch Gen III Hemi, engineered to produce between 900 and 1,000 horsepower and achieve competitive times in the high eights. Essential components like the Callies Magnum crank and bespoke racing hardware will ensure its robustness. Turk emphasizes innovation, showcasing a unique intake design that outperformed more expensive alternatives in testing, reinforcing his commitment to building an industry-leading operation while fostering the next generation of racers.



Source: competitionplus.com