Can Trevor and Erin Branden’s GT-R Become the First 7-Second Average in the Sick Week Freaks Class at the 2026 Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week?
Every year, there’s conversations about performances, and in some cases records, for a class or engine platforms in racing. Drag and drive competition isn’t immune to this, and one of the points that constantly comes up is the lack of import-based vehicles in drag and drive events.
Although there is a growing number of import vehicles competing in events, most of them average in the 9-second and slower range. The current record holder for Sick the Mag events is Trevor and Erin Branden’s 2010 GT-R, and although the car has proven itself with multiple wins at numerous events, the Brandens are coming to Sick Week with a new goal in mind.
Sick the Magazine is gearing up for a solid 2026, as we will host FIVE events, four of them as a major week-long drag and drive event! Make plans to join us at one (or more) of our events next year: Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, Motion Raceworks Sick Summer, Driven Racing Oil Sick Michigan Miles, Edelbrock Sick 66, and Speedfest. For more information and details on these events, visit the Sick The Mag events page by CLICKING HERE!
After racking up a good list of accomplishments, the Brandens were ready for the next level. So, the GT-R went to PFI Speed during the winter of 2023 for a host of upgrades, including a 7.50-legal roll cage, fuel system upgrades, and a little weight reduction.
Its first event back would be the 2024 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, and although Trevor clocked a best of 8.16 at 167 mph on day three, their week would be cut short with issues.
After returning to PFI Speed for a diagnose and fix, Erin and Trevor set their sights on Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks. The changes would pay off, with a pair of 8.0-second passes, the best being an 8.040 at 169 mph, and the Brandens holding the Sick Week Freaks orange helmet as the victors.
In the process, they also reset the Sick Week Freaks class record previously held by Tony Niemczyk at 8.76, to a much quicker 8.374 average. That record remains intact, although a few competitors have talked about resetting it, or being the first to clock a 7-second average in the class.
One of those competitors is Cooper Bogetti, who jumped into the Sick Week Freaks class for the first time after running the DYO (Dial Your Own) class twice. Although the 2JZ-swapped fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has run in the sevens numerous times in local competition, Bogetti won Sick Week 2025 with an 8.847 average, without a full pass all week.
In social media conversations since then, Bogetti issued a friendly ‘call-out’ to Branden, and after Trevor won the Small Tire class at Miles of Mayhem 2025 with 5.269 average, Trevor got the chance to answer Bogetti’s call-out with a Sick Wildcards invite to Sick Week 2026.
Trevor spiced it up some more in completing the Rocky Mountain Race Weekend event, and in addition to bringing home a second-place finish in the Outlaw Street class, he collected his first 7-second passes, the best being a 7.94 at 177 mph.
Despite a solid 2025 season, the Brandens are looking to add more to the mix for 2026 as they plans for a return to Sick Week. “I’m upgrading fuel and turbos,” said Trevor. “So, I’m planning on running 7.50s.”
Could Trevor possibly earn his second Sick orange helmet, and reset not only the Sick Week Freaks record, but scoop up the quickest 6-cylinder average record as well? Don’t miss the 2026 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, February 1st through the 7th. Get DISCOUNTED advance spectator tickets, and event details, at the Sick Week event page by CLICKING HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Erin and Trevor Branden.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com