The Moreton District of the Queensland Police Service has gotten its hands on the original ‘Cop This’ 1994 Holden VR Calais that was used during Operation D.R.A.G in the 1990s, and it’s making the rounds.
It made its return at a youth event last Thursday on Bribie Island, and according to the myPolice Moreton Facebook account there was “plenty of interest” in the drag car.
It will be rolled out again later this month to view at the Crusin’ Caboolture event on April 30 at the James Street precinct in Caboolture.
The vehicle was discovered in a shed in 2021, taken out of storage and later restored by a police officer to assist Queensland Blue Light Association Incorporated in educating youth on road safety.
In its original form, the vehicle had a V6 engine which was later donated to Gold Coast TAFE and replaced by a Chevrolet 350 V8 engine with a TH400 manual-shift transmission, nine-inch rear axle, and roll cage. It was also given an aggressive bodykit.
Holden had donated the VR Calais to the initiative, and it became known as ‘Cop This’ based on its numberplate. Back in 2001, the car did the quarter-mile sprint in 10.49 seconds according to Street Machine.
Source: myPolice Moreton Facebook
The sidekick to Holden was an EF Ford Falcon that was donated a couple of years later by Ford Australia.
The Falcon featured the powertrain of an XR6 and was reportedly able to achieve a 14-second 1/4 mile time without any major modifications.
Operation D.R.A.G – short for “drag right and gain a longer life” – was started by QLD police officers that were part of the Blue Light Association Incorporated in 1993.
Source: Historic Leyburn Sprints Facebook 
Source: Historic Leyburn Sprints Facebook
It encouraged hoons to race police officers on a race track rather than participate in dangerous street races with other drivers.
It was held at the old Surfers Paradise International Raceway on the Gold Coast.
The race was held once a month and tickets to race cost $10.
