The feverish buzz of a Mazda rotary at full song is intoxicating. Install a blower made for a big block Chevy and the thrills really fly. So did the rubber at the annual Burnout Mayhem in Australia. During the 2013 event held at Sydney Dragway in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia an old school Holden Gemini stole the show.

The Holden Gemini was produced from 1975 to 1986. It relied on an Isuzu 1.6-liter four-banger for power, far from the barn-burner we see here. The Gemini enjoys classic models like the Sandpiper or Fashion pack, and featured a “Radial Tuned Suspension” whatever that is.

The rotary was on the chip and the smoke was puffing as the car was whipped up and down the burnout area. It disappeared into a cloud of smoke a few times during the run, if that’s what you call it. Ominous sign started to appear as the downpipe began to glow under the constant heat coming out of the engine. It got orange hot. We are not sure if the intense heat interfered with the combustion process but the Holden stalls out, the heat gets the better of a fuel line, and the fireworks begin.

Hopefully the barbeque didn’t hurt this bright hued old schooler too seriously and the owner got fixed and back in the burnout box.